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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| Western
States Sprint Car Notes by Kerry Fasig |
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May 6, 2004...Race #2 of the 2004 Valvoline
Western States Sprint Car series was May 1st the
"Vukovich Classic" at Madera Speedway. 27 cars
were present, 26 were the same as
the first race except there was no Rick Ziehl, instead 2002
Western States Sprint car
champion Rick Hendrix brought out his regular ride the #97 Beast
Chassis.
Brian McClish was out early to qualify and held the top spot until halfway thru qualifing when Tony Hunt in the Western Speed #60 topped the charts with a run of 13.61, holding it until 3 cars left in qualifing when Michael Lewis in the Western Speed #40 car clocked a lap of 13.51. That's right the Western Speed cars qualified 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fast. Jeff Gardner was 4th followed by young Nick Rescino Jr. and Chad Nichols rounded out the top 6. Earl's Fast Qualifier point's show Tohy Hunt a top the order with 15 points followed by Michael Lewis, Brian McClish, Chad Nichols and Jeff Gardner. The improvers in qualifing from last week were Destiny Hays was a 14.44 and 25th fast to a 13.95 and 10th fast this week. Michael Newman stepped it up going from 24th quick last week with a 14.32 to a 14.02, 12th fast this week. 3 heat races were run with the top 5 transfering to the main event. Heat #1 was won by Anthony Simone over Shauna Hogg, Greg Anderson, Lewis and Bumgarner. Heat#2 was won by Chuck Maddox over Bryan Bullard, Mike Murgoitio, Rick Hendrix and Amy Barnes. Heat#3 winner was Michael Trimble over Mike McCreary, Mark Monico, Chad Nichols and Randy Dubois. The 10 lap semi victor was Tony Hunt followed by Jeff Gardner, McClish, Rescino and Newman. Tim Barber chased motor problems all night and ended up making a provisional start in the main event. To show you how tough this series really is 10th quick Destiny Hays and 11th fast Greg Taylor both missed the transfer and were on the trailer early. This will make the next race even tougher for everyone as both will be back running even harder to avenge their misfortune. The main event was scheduled for 50 laps but with the curfew fast approaching our backs were against the wall. Chad Nichols and Nick Rescino Jr. brought the field down to the green flag but a valve cover leak caused Amy Barnes to spin in turn 1 bringing out the caution and finishing Amy's night. As cleanup was being conducted and cars were weaving back and forth Chuck Maddox and Mike Murgoitio made contact breaking the heim end on the rear panhard bar on Chuck's car putting him out for the night. Nichols led the first 4 laps until he was passed by Jeff Gardner, Jeff then held the lead until Michael Lewis passed him. Hunt got by Nichols for 3rd and then passed Gardner for 2nd. As the laps wore down Lewis and Hunt pulled away from the field and as the curfew lurked, the main was shorted to 40 laps. Lewis picked up win #2 of the season followed by Hunt and after battling both Nichols and Gardner, Brad Bumgarner finished 3rd for his best USAC career finish. Between Brad and Brian McClish these guys have really showed that laps and race experience make a big difference and both have a great chance at winning in 2004. 6th thru 10th were Rick Hendrix, Brian McClish, Michael Newman, rookie Greg Anderson and Tim Barber. 11th thru 21st were Rescino, Trimble, Bullard, Murgoitio, Hogg, Simone, Dubois McCreary, Monico, Maddox and Barnes. Michael Lewis stays atop the point's by 7 point's over Hunt followed by Bumgarner, Gardner and Greg Anderson. The next race is at the newly configured 3/8 mile Shasta Speedway in Anderson California, last time the Western States Sprint cars visited Anderson, August 14, 1999 Bud Kaeding set fast time and Rick Williams picked up the win in the main event. So I will keep you updated with results next week |
