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Chowchilla, Ca Aug.22...Tracy's Danny Olmstead
won the Friday night feature in a thrilling
race on the well prepared 1/3 mile dirt track at Chowchilla
Speedway. Olmstead powerd his Stealth Motorsports sprinter from a
5th starting spot and grabbed the lead from pole starter Russ
Wullenwaber on lap 6, but not without a fierce battle from RPM's
Wullenwaber to hold onto the lead position. Steven Williams and C.C.
Auto Parts' Keith Shipherd applied constant pressure, and the pack
ran 3 abreast through the corners and kept tightly together down the
straights during the entire fast paced race. TBS's Scott Holloway
moved up to 5th by lap 6, and there was another close battle going
for the 6th spot between Wadco's George Terry and the" Flying
Farmer" Ed Amador. Action slowed on a lap 16 caution for a spun
car that unfortunately collected OCR's Burt Siverling, and both cars
went to the back of the field. On the restart the excitement
continued as Olmstead held the lead, and on lap 18 Williams charged
ahead of Wullenwaber to take 2nd, Holloway dove under Shipherd in
turn 2 to gain the 4th spot, and Amador made a last lap pass on
George Terry to finish 6th. At the checkers, it was Danny Olmstead
with the win, followed closely by the pack of Williams, Wullenwaber,
Holloway, and Shipherd.
Both heat races ran caution free,
with Holloway winning the first one followed by Steven Williams and
Chappa Insulation's Jim Janssen. Rookie Bruce Slover from Roseville
was just happy to complete the entire 8 laps, as problems had
plagued him in his prior races. Danny Olmstead took the win in the
second heat, with Keith Shipherd and Russ
Wullenwaber close on his tail. Pizza Factory's Doug Gandy struggled
with motor problems and was unable to start the race.
After the heat races, Russ Wullenwaber was
busy replacing brake calipers, Sam Davies was working hard on a
problen with Ed Amador's car, and Bruce Slover was helping the Gandy
crew with their motor.Other crews were busy with gear changes, tire
changes, scraping mud and washing cars. Mary Ellen Olmstead relaxed
by sewing a quilt, a sight not often seen in the pits, and Lynn and
Joe Martinez shared their awesome L&J track photos with
everyone.
During the driver's meeting, Rev.Ron said a
special prayer for Buddy Cox, Chowchilla's Chief Steward, who passed
away earlier this month. Not only was Buddy a major influence at the
track, he was a close friend to many, and we will miss his presence.
This final NCMA point race at Chowchilla was a
double points one, and the track was the best prepared heavy track
we've seen in a number of years. During the feature, the lead cars
were clocking low 16 second lap times. Kudos to promoter Tom
Sagmillar and his crew for putting in all of the extra time and
efforts to give the drivers such a terrific racing surface. The NCMA
teams always enjoy Chowchilla's warm hospitality, and in return gave
the fans a great show, followed by a free pizza frisbee throw,
courtesy of Pizza Factory. NCMA dirt racing action will continue in
Marysville on August 30, and the last asphalt
race will be at Altamont on Sept.6. Drive safe, have fun, and take
care.
Summary:
Heat 1- Scott Holloway, Steven Williams, Jim Janssen, George Terry,
Charlie Correia, John Fenton, Bruce Slover
Heat 2- Danny Olmstead, Keith Shipherd, Russ Wullenwaber, Tim
Sherman, Ed Amador, Burt Siverling, Doug Gandy (DNS)
MAIN- Olmstead, Williams, Wullenwaber, Holloway, Shipherd, Ed Amador,
George Terry, John Fenton, Jim Janssen, Tim Sherman, Burt Siverling,
Charlie Correia, Bruce Slover, Doug Gandy (DNS)
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