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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| 2003
Del Quinn Memorial Race by Debbie Shipherd |
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(April 28, 2003) On Saturday, April 26, Antioch’s All Pro wingless sprints, NCMA’s wingless sprints, and the new CSRA sprints joined together to race in honor of the memory of two time NCMA champion driver Del Quinn who passed away 2 years ago. An amazing field of 35 carbureted sprints came out to race at Antioch Speedway to pay their respects. Four qualifying heat races were scheduled to determine placement in the A, B, or C mains. The top 3 finishers of each heat would transfer to the A main, the next 3 to the B, and the remaining would round out the C main. The first heat ran flag to flag with #36 Bob Newberry finishing 1st, #55 Scott Merrell 2nd and #28 Brian Lokmor 3rd to transfer to the A main. Behind them were #11 Russ Wullenwaber, #66 Nick McMichaels, #91 Dave Kinnard, #6 Mark Smith, and #38 John Fenton. The second heat also ran fast and flag to flag, with #20 Keith Shipherd taking the win over #3g David Goodwill and #4 Daryl Moore, followed by #2 Norm Johns, #22 Roy Fisher, #12 Bill Felver,#25 Sal Manina and #6 Jim Janssen. Heat three was won by #40 Darrell Hanestad, with #16 Hendrickson and #21p Jim Perry III making the A main transfers, #29 Billy Fraser, #90 Tom Henry, and #17 Joey Santos transferring to the B, and #77 Chris Magoon behind them. The fourth heat race ran fast and clean, with #15p Jim Perry, Jr. first to the checkers and #11d Danny Olmstead and #44 Sam Fries qualifying for the A main, #41 Scott Holloway, #76 Ed Amador, and #9 Hays transferring to the B, and #27 Doug Henry, #2x George Terry, and #67 Rick Eversault rounding out the C main. Jim Perry Jr. #15p, S&S #40 Hanestad, Western Tile/CC Auto Parts #20 Shipherd, and #36 Newberry lined up for the 4 lap trophy dash, and Perry Jr. took the win, with Hanestad and Shipherd behind him, and Newberry unfortunately left on the hook after hitting the wall. We were pleased to see Mr.Soares blading the track before the mains began as it also allowed some extra time for crews to make repairs and adjust set ups. The #24 crew had brake problems and were not ready in time for the heat race, and Rick Panfili’s #04 had some low oil pressure problems and then his starter broke as he got ready to line up for staging, so he called it a night. A field of 12 cars lined up for the 12 lap C main. Several caution flags were thrown for a car hitting the wall, spins, and a lost wheel. The top 6 finishers transferred to the B main, and they were #9 Hays, #27 D.Henry, #25 Manina, #17 Santos, Cargill Welding #38 Fenton, and #12 Felver, followed by McMichaels, George Terry, Ford, and Burt Siverling. Crews hurried to add fuel, check tires, and make quick adjustments in preparation for the B main. The 14 lap B main with a field of 14 cars, ran smoother with a few yellows for spun cars, and had 6 transfer spots as well. Norm Johns in the SCS #2 took the win, followed very closely to the checkers by TBS #41 Scott Holloway, American Auto Body #29 Billy Fraser, #9 David Hays, #90 Tom Henry. RPM #11 Russ Wullenwaber was the alternate, followed by David Kinnard, Santos, and Felver. The 25 lap main started with #11 Olmstead and #55 Merrell on the front row. As the 18 car field made their parade lap, the front car dropped back to leave a space, which is called the “missing man” formation. I couldn’t hear what was being said by the announcer, but I could see the fans in the stands standing, and heard the loud ovation of applause as the cars went by, in their tribute to Del Quinn. At the green Merrell took the lead with Olmstead and Hanestad right on his tail. Within 3 laps there had been 2 cautions for spun cars, and Olmstead had taken the lead. Another yellow flew for Perry Jr. with a flat. The top 5 at lap 10 were Olmstead, Hanestad, Goodwill, Hendrickson, and Shipherd. Four laps later a caution flew and Holloway pitted, as well as Shipherd, with a damaged wheel and a flat tire. At lap 16 Olmstead was steadily holding his lead with Hanestad right on his tail, followed closely by Goodwill, Hendrickson, and T.Henry. Shipherd was making his way back up through the field, and a few more cautions flew, but it was thrilling to watch Olmstead continue to pilot the #11D in the lead with a fast field behind him. At the checkered flag, it was Olmstead, Hanestad, Hendrickson, Fraser, Johns, Newberry, Merrell, D.Henry, Shipherd, and Hays completing the 25 lap race. I later learned that Olmstead was unfortunately disqualified for not meeting the 1750lb.weight requirement, which gave the win to Hanestad. It was a fun evening visiting with so many drivers and fans of the wingless sprint class. Special thanks to our division’s biggest supporter, Don O’Keefe, for all his advice and friendship. The NCMA sprints will have a week off after this doubleheader weekend of racing, and our next race will be May 10 at Marysville, Antioch’s sprints will run on the 10th at Petaluma, and the CSRA group will be at Quincy. Drive safe, have
fun, and take care, Debbie Shipherd |
