By Gary Thomas
Placerville, CA…Last season saw Justin Sanders become the first driver to win the “Tribute to Al Hinds” on three separate occasions. With that said the Aromas, CA driver returned to Placerville Speedway on Saturday and added his name to the list for a record fourth time, after claiming the 25-lap Thompson’s Winged 360 Sprint Car feature.
Sharing victory lane with Sanders during the night were Dan Jinkerson with the Mountain Democrat Ltd. Late Models, Ryan Peter with the Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks and Austin Struthers with the Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks. A solid field of 72 race cars filled the pit area to honor the late Al Hinds, who was the second Promoter of the speedway.
The Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Car main event began with youngster Max Mittry and veteran Shane Golobic fighting for the top-spot. Mittry led the opening circuit, until Golobic motored under him on lap two for the lead. Justin Sanders followed along for second, which set up a classic duel between the two immensely talented racers. Sanders proceeded to execute a couple of sliders in three and four, but each time saw Golobic pull the cross over move to get back by.
The winning move of the race came following a lap 18 restart when Sanders slid up in front of Golobic to take over the top spot that he would never relinquish. He went on to accept the Ron Stahl checkered for victory aboard the Paul Silva wrenched Works Limited No. 57W mount. It marked his 18th career Winged 360 triumph at the track. Sanders also collected the extra Silva Motorsports Inc. Bonus Money for the win.
Lincoln’s Tanner Carrick came home in second, followed by Golobic, Templeton’s Kaleb Montgomery and Sebastopol’s Joel Myers Jr. in the top-five. Tony Gomes, 15th starter Kalib Henry, Jimmy Trulli, 17th starter Landon Brooks and 20th starter Bubba Decaires ran sixth through 10th respectively. Sanders began the evening by outpacing the 38-car field in ADCO Driveline Qualifying with a lap of 10.982.
Tribute to Al Hinds
Placerville Speedway
Placerville, California
Saturday, April 9, 2022
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Feature:
1. 57W-Justin Sanders
2. 83T-Tanner Carrick
3. 17W-Shane Golobic
4. X1-Kaleb Montgomery
5. 83V-Joel Myers Jr.
6. 7C-Tony Gomes
7. 01-Kalib Henry
8. 33T-Jimmy Trulli
9. 34-Landon Brooks
10. 94-Greg Decaires V
11. 2XM-Max Mittry
12. 92-Andy Forsberg
13. 21X-Gage Garcia
14. 4-Jodie Robinson
15. 35M-Chase Majdic
16. 93-Stephen Ingraham
17. 31C-Justyn Cox
18. 24-Justin Henry
19. 83SA-Isaiah Vasquez
20. 18T-Tanner Holmes