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(August
9, 2003 - Tracy, CA) A
full moon at Altamont Raceway Park proved to be a lucky Saturday
night for NCMA's Pat Ariaz as he won the 25 lap feature on the fast
1/2
mile paved track. Ariaz came from a second row starting position and
powered his Steve's Construction sprinter to the front by lap 5.
Fast qualifier Scott Holloway charged his TBS sprinter to the second
spot by lap 10 but had to back out of a challenge for the lead when
he heard vibration noises in his car and opted to play it safe. A
captivating battle for 4th over several laps between Ed Amador and
his son Steve Amador had the Flying Farmer Ed Amador moving up to
the 4th spot behind RPM's Russ Wullenwaber. Back row starter
Keith Shipherd challenged pole starting Burt Siverling for 6th and
made the pass while veteran driver Don Hicks was following closely
on his tail. At the checkers, it was
Ariaz, TBS's Scott Holloway, Russ Wullenwaber, J& J Dairy's Ed
Amador, and "Dr." Don Hicks in the top 5 in the quick
caution free feature. Ariaz also took the wins in the heat race and
trophy dash.
The first 8 lap heat race ran flag to flag and featured
Don Hicks on the pole. Hicks was debuting his new NCMA sprinter and
doing double duty as he raced also in a CASA injected sprint. Front
row starter Russ Wullenwaber took the lead at the green, but the Rim
Rider Scott Holloway made his classic outside pass on lap 5 and took
the win, with RPM's
Wullenwaber and Don Hicks behind him. The second heat also ran
caution free, with Ariaz taking his Steve's Construction sprinter to
the checkers, follwed by Ed Amador and OCR's Burt Siverling.
The full moon was unlucky for rookie Mike
Zarevich tonight. His motor unfortunately blew during practice and
he made contact with the wall. He was unhurt, but unable to race.
Right before the green flew for the main event, George Terry had to
pit with fuel pump problems, but he managed to get back out and
race, although a lap or two down. The
Shipherd team was just happy to have made it out to race, as a late
night motor change had the hard working crew missing practices and
qualifying, but the determined driver made some great passes and
most importantly had fun.
We all enjoyed the company tonight of veteran
sprint driver Joey Santos, his crew chief Raul, driver Sal Mannina
and his wife Lisa, who had a night off from racing at Antioch and
were checking out the NCMA asphalt racing action. Drivers and crews
enjoyed a birthday celebration for Russ Wullenwaber's birthday,
complete with cake for all. Tonight's
sponsor was Rapid Car Wash of Stockton, and we thank them for their
suppot. NCMA racing action returns to Altamont next Saturday ,August
16.
Drive
safe, have fun, and take care.
SUMMARY:
Fast
time: Scott Holloway 18.622
Dash: Pat Ariaz, Russ Wullenwaber, Ed Amador, Scott Holloway
Heat 1: Holloway, Wullenwaber, Hicks, Steve Amador, Fenton
Heat 2: Ariaz, Ed Amador, Siverling, Shipherd, Terry
Main: Ariaz, Holloway, Wullenwaber, E.Amador, Hicks, S.Amador,
Shipherd, Siverling, Fenton, Terry, Zarevich (DNS)
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