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Jeff
Gardner Victorious in CASA Debut at Madera |
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6-4-05
– Madera, CA. Local star, and champion driver, Jeff Gardner showed the
California Asphalt Sprintcar Association contingent the fast way around his home
track of Madera Speedway during CASA’s first official visit to the immaculate
one-third-mile speedway. Based in nearby Fresno, CA, Gardner, with a stated
“million laps around this place” showed off all his experience and skill as
he powered his black, blue and orange #51 to the front of the field early in the
50 lap go from his ninth starting spot and stretched his advantage throughout
the distance. “That, was a good race!” said Gardner, “And this new
(American Racer) tire is just right for making this club go. It was great!”
When reminded it was a great all around evening for the “Fresno Flyer” who
also won his heat race, Gardner replied with a grin, “Yeah, but I didn’t get
fast time…” Fast
time honors instead went to San Francisco’s Nick Rescino, Jr. The defending
CASA Champion posted low E.T. at 14.19 seconds, averaging 84.605 M.P.H. around
the semi-banked oval to top a 13-car field. Unfortunately, CASA President Scott
Clough’s mount suffered an undetermined engine failure in hotlaps and he was
unable to make a qualifying attempt. In
preliminary action, Gardner slipped by Rescino just passed the white flag to
take an entertaining four car, fast qualifier trophy dash over impressive
rookies Nick Green from San Jose and Santa Rosa’s Trever Cummins. In
eight-lap heat race action, heat race number one went to the ever-popular
Anthony “Cannonball” Simone as the fan favorite from Fresno darted to the
front and held off Green, equally impressive rookie Jessica Helberg from Rohnert
Park in her burgundy #4, 2004 CASA Champion Tony Iacobitti and veteran shoe
Earle Stanton making his first start at Madera since the “old NASCAR
Supermodified days.” Rescino made some contact during the heat race and had to
replace the front axle in his #11 for the feature event. Heat
number two was lead by Glenn Hopper for seven and one-quarter laps until Gardner
took the lead with an outside pass in turn two. Hopper tried to return the favor
low off turn four but it was Gardner by just a length over Hopper, young Ryan
Baumgartner from Citrus Heights, Cummins, super veteran Marvin Mitchell whose
rig arrived just in time to qualify his #68 an impressive sixth-quick, without
the benefit of hotlaps, and Placerville’s Joe Hauck. With
a welcome return to customary driver introductions, a dozen gleaming CASA
sprinters were presented on the front straight in view of a very receptive and
enthusiastic crowd. With the call to start the 50-lap main event, an eight-car
inversion saw Baumgartner’s black #24 pole-side of Stanton’s red and white
#8 as the field roared off turn four to take the green flag. Stanton seized the
early advantage and led the first several laps until Simone in his black #10
muscled his way past to take the point. Gardner worked his way quickly into the
fray along with Rescino, Stanton, and the bright orange cars of Green (#14) and
Cummins (#17). After several more laps Gardner was nipping at Simone’s heels
and finally executed the pass for the lead. At
the halfway point of the race, Gardner had gradually extended his lead while
Simone, Rescino and a tightly formed pack throughout the top ten, battled
feverishly to either gain or defend their spot on the track. The lap counter
clicked quickly, and despite the intense action, it looked like a non-stop
50-lap feature might be possible when Hopper, who just moved into fifth from his
tenth starting spot, looped a 360 into the turn two infield. He kept it running,
but regardless, the caution waved on lap 40 and the field regrouped for a
ten-lap dash to the end. Gardner
set about reestablishing his lead when racing resumed, and Simone held fast,
defending second over Rescino. Nearing the 48th lap Rescino found
himself facing the wrong way with a turn two solo spin and the stage was set for
the final three laps. With all 12 cars still running, a three-lap dash would
determine the final outcome. Gardner
skillfully held point over the final mile of racing, completing a stellar drive
that was never really in doubt. Simone took a hard fought second over Green, who
equaled his best finish of last week, taking the third podium spot. Rescino was
credited with fourth completing the 50 lap distance and Trever Cummins ran a
solid fifth. Pole sitter Baumgartner finished sixth, Hopper in his #61 rebounded
from his spin to net seventh over Iacobitti whose #71 may have suffered some
fuel delivery issues on the final lap. Stanton whose handling started fading
after the midway point recorded a ninth place finish, and Marvin Mitchell
rounded out the top ten. Jessica Helberg who battled brake problems most of the
evening came home eleventh, and Joe Hauck battled a difficult handling #99
machine all evening but took the checkers in twelfth. CASA
continues their “Late Spring Fling,” a five consecutive week stretch of
races, with numbers three and four at the big half-mile of Altamont Raceway
& Arena June 11th and 18th. The “Tire Burning
Thunder” of the California Sprint Cars will be making their first return to
Altamont since April, and is excited to be featured again on Comcast’s
Altamont Speedweek TV show. Please visit www.casaracing.com
for more information. 6-4-05 CASA Results QUALIFYING TROPHY
DASH 50
LAP MAIN EVENT POINT
STANDINGS 6-4-05
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