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Anaheim, CA., Jan. 13 - Eleven NMRA-TQ Midget
teams raced during the Amp'd
Mobile-backed "Monster Truck Jam" Saturday night at Angel
Stadium on a chilly evening in front of about 45,000 spectators. The
clay surface also is used by AMA Motorcycle Super-cross riders who
compete annually during January in front of sold out crowds at Angel
Stadium on alternating Saturdays. The non-point,
exhibition/demonstration race for TQ Midget teams took place on a
fifth-mile clay oval between second base and the center field wall
of the Major League Baseball stadium. The first TQ race with the
popular monster trucks took place here on January 14, 2006 with
orange cones marking the oval track. TQs Midgets also raced a week
later on January 21 during the monster truck program in front of
another huge crowd at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
Scott Dobson, the 2006 NMTA-TQ rookie of the year who finished
eighth in final points, started and finished first in the January 13
Anaheim feature. He drove the No. 18 Guy Barber Stewart/Honda to his
initial feature victory. He led all 20-laps in the 11-car field.
Chuck West, the 2002 and 2006 NMRA driving champion, started seventh
and finished second in a West Evans Stealth/Kawasaki. Kenny Wiley
started fifth and finished third. Sixth starter Bruce Hiroshima was
fourth and USAC veteran Scott Hansen earned fifth after starting
eighth. Richard Ortega, Jr, Michael Bliffen, Ron Ahrendt, West
Evans, in his
Stealth/Suzuki, Jenna Bliffen and Steve Parke finished sixth through
11th respectively.
NMRA-TQ Midget teams will return to Angel Stadium on Saturday,
January 27 for the second exhibition race of 2007. It again
will take place between monster truck events on a slightly larger
oval than the oval used by TQs last year. Monster trucks compete on
clay that completely covers the baseball field. TQ teams will take
part in the afternoon pit party outside the stadium in the parking
lot near the 57 Freeway and under the big A sign. The January 13 pit
party for the monster trucks and other vehicles on hand attracted an
estimated 18,000 persons before the stadium gates opened at 5 p.m.
The January 27 event will be the fourth collaboration between NMRA
and the monster truck sanctioning body, which is pleased by NMRA-TQ
racing to help entertain their fans during breaks between monster
truck events. Additional TQ races at other monster truck venues such
as Lancaster, San Bernardino, San Diego, Fresno and Las Vegas are
possible according to NMRA officer West Evans.
Race Summary:
Main Event, 20 laps: Scott Dobson, Chuck West, Kenny Wiley, Bruce
Hiroshima, Scott Hansen, Richard Ortega, Jr., Michael Bliffen, Ron
Ahrendt, West Evans, Jenna Bliffen, Steve Parke.
The 16-race NMRA-TQ Midget 2007 schedule has been released. Four
different clay tracks in California will host the series.
Santa Maria Speedway (1/3-mile) has six dates, Bakersfield Speedway
(1/3-mile) booked four races. Kings Speedway (3/8-mile) in Hanford
and Ventura Raceway (1/5-mile) each scheduled three races.
Race dates follow: March 17 - Hanford; March 31
- Ventura; April 14 - Santa Maria; April 21 - Bakersfield; May 5 -
Santa Maria; May 19 - Bakersfield; June 2 - Bakersfield;
June 16 - Santa Maria; June 23 - Hanford; July 14 - Santa Maria;
Aug. 1 - Ventura; Aug. 11 - Santa Maria; Sept. 1 - Bakersfield;
Sept. 22 - Santa Maria; Sept. 29 - Hanford; Oct. 13 - TBA; Oct. 27 -
TBA; Nov. 10 - Ventura.
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