Traditional Sprint Car FanSite

See You At The Races!!!

 Press Release

JOEL CHAVEZ JR. TAKES FIRST FEATURE WIN AT VENTURA RACEWAY
by Lee Elder

VENTURA, Calif. (March 21, 2009) – Santa Paula’s Joel Chavez Jr. won his first career main event when he captured victory in the Sports Compact class at Ventura Raceway Saturday.

Chavez, the 2008 Sport Compact Rookie of the Year, led the entire race. The Sport Compact class is split into two categories, one for front wheel drive cars and the other for rear wheel drive cars. Chavez, in a front wheel drive car, was the overall winner. Brent Underwood won his second straight rear wheel drive victory.

Joel Chavez Sr., the winner’s father and 2008 Sport Compact champion at Ventura, called watching his son win the feature race, “The best feeling ever. It’s almost as good as watching him born.”

The other winners at Ventura included Camarillo’s Brian Camarillo (Sprint Cars), Ventura’s Bruce Douglas (Senior Sprint Cars), Ray Estrada of Yucaipa (Pro Dwarf Cars), Bill Van Praag of Ventura (Senior Dwarf Cars), Palmdale’s Tyler Jerman (Junior Midgets), Oliver Blades of Moorpark (Mini Dwarfs, Superchargers) and Zachery Gilmore of Woodland Hills (Mini Dwarf, Pistons).

Chavez Jr. held about a one-second lead after taking the lead in the early laps. He said he recalled racing just one car in the second half of the race. Asked how he felt about winning after watching his father win so often in the past, Saturday’s winner said, “It’s my first win ever. I don’t know how it feels yet.”

Camarillo’s win in the Sprint Car feature came after a frantic struggle. He had to pass veteran Chris Wakim and defending champion Kevin Kierce to get to the point, then hold off both those guys and West Coast star Danny Faria to stay in front.

The event drew an entry of 144 cars to the Seaside Park facility. The Sprint Car class alone had 37 entries.

More information about Ventura Raceway is available at www.venturaraceway.com.


Ventura Raceway Race Results for 03/21/2009

VRA Sprint Cars -- 1. Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, 30 Laps; 2. Kevin Kierce, Reseda, 30 Laps; 3. Greg Alexander, Gardena, 30 Laps; 4. Luis Espinoza, Castaic, 30 Laps; 5. Greg Taylor, Ventura, 30 Laps; 6. Clark Templeman III, Santa Clarita, 30 Laps; 7. Christian Stover, Alpine, 30 Laps; 8. Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, 30 Laps; 9. Hobie Conway, Ventura, 30 Laps; 10. Guy Woodward, Santa Clarita, 30 Laps; 11. Chris Wakim, Simi Valley, 30 Laps; 12. Errol Sack, Agua Dulce, 30 Laps; 13. Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, 30 Laps; 14. Oren Prosser Jr, Agoura Hills, 30 Laps; 15. Austin Mero, Kingsburg, 29 Laps; 16. Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, 29 Laps; 17. Derek Buckley, Ojai, 29 Laps; 18. Danny Faria Jr, Tipton, 22 Laps; 19. Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, 6 Laps; 20. Richard McCormick, Aqua Dulce, 6 Laps

Lap Leaders: Chris Wakim (1-4), Brian Camarillo (5-30)

Top 10 in points: 1. Kevin Kierce, 475; 2. Greg Alexander, 465; 3. Brian Camarillo, 415; 4. Greg Taylor, 410; 5. Rick Hendrix, 340; 6. Chris Wakim, 325; 7. Christian Stover, 320; 8. Cody Kershaw, 315; 9. Richard McCormick, 310; 10. Luis Espinoza, 305
-----------------------------------------------

VRA Senior Sprints -- 1. Bruce Douglass, Ventura, 15 Laps; 2. Ron Bach, Ventura, 15 Laps; 3. Jeff Culver, Lompoc, 15 Laps; 4. Willey Miller, Yorba Linda, 15 Laps; 5. Bob Alderman, Calabasas, 15 Laps; 6. Danny Miller, Yorba Linda, 15 Laps; 7. Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, 15 Laps; 8. Victor Davis, Simi Valley, 15 Laps; 9. Cliff Warren, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 10. Oren Prosser Sr, Pasadena, 15 Laps; 11. John Richards, Ventura, 15 Laps; 12. Chris Meredith, Thousand Oaks, 15 Laps; 13. Richard Terry, Thousand Oaks, 15 Laps; 14. Tom Fish, Ventura, 15 Laps; 15. Gil Mahoney, La Crescenta, 15 Laps; 16. Russel Deblauw, Ventura, 1 Lap; 17. Mark Stover, Manhattan Beach, 1 Lap; 18. Bill Badger, Canyon Country, Did not start; 19. Ron Butler, Santa Barbara, Did not show.

Top 10 in points -- 1. Bruce Douglass, 255; 2. Ron Bach, 240; 3. Jeff Culver, 220; 4. Willey Miller, 215; 5. Bob Alderman, 195; 6. Rob Kershaw, 185; 6. Danny Miller, 185; 8. Victor Davis, 165; 8. Cliff Warren, 165; 10. Oren Prosser Sr, 155
-----------------------------------------------

VRA Pro Dwarf Cars -- 1. Ray Estrada, Yucaipa, 9 Laps; 2. Brent Stevens, Thousand Oaks, 9 Laps; 3. Angel Figueroa, El Segundo, 9 Laps; 4. Chris Olson, Chino Hills, 9 Laps; 5. Lee Majors, Simi Valley, 9 Laps; 6. Marc Lippert, Granada Hills, 9 Laps; 7. Steven Benson, Valencia, 9 Laps; 8. Jeff Fillingame, Santa Paula, 9 Laps; 9. Eric Alton, Simi Valley, 9 Laps; 10. Russell Blades, Moorpark, 9 Laps; 11. Brian Saxton, Mentone, 9 Laps; 12. Michael Sweeney Jr, Whittier, 9 Laps; 13. Curt Cook, Santa Paula, 9 Laps; 14. Thomas Velasquez, Camarillo, 9 Laps; 15. Eric Moore, Ventura, 9 Laps; 16. Mike Lewis, Sunland, 9 Laps; 17. Victor Castillo, 9 Laps; 18. Alen Benton, 9 Laps; 19. Tom Stephens Jr, Ventura, 7 Laps; 20. George Calvo, Agua Dulce, 2 Laps; 21. Tom Stephens Sr, Ventura, 0 Laps; 22. Alex Wood, San Dimas, Did not show; 23. Jesse Baker, Agoura Hills, Did not show.

Lap Leaders -- Curt Cook (1-6), Ray Estrada (7-9)

Top 10 in points -- 1. Ray Estrada, 250; 2. Brent Stevens, 240; 3. Angel Figueroa, 215; 4. Chris Olson, 210; 5. Lee Majors, 205; 6. Marc Lippert, 180; 7. Eric Alton, 170; 8. Steven Benson, 165; 8. Jeff Fillingame, 165; 10. Russell Blades, 150; 10. Curt Cook, 150
-----------------------------------------------

VRA Senior Dwarf Cars -- 1. Bill Van Praag, Ventura, 12 Laps; 2. George Sack Jr, Aqua Dulce, 12 Laps; 3. Mike Neal, Northridge, 12 Laps; 4. George Calvo, Agua Dulce, 12 Laps; 5. Ron Capodieci, Saugus, 12 Laps; 6. Ed Niedzwiecki, Ventura, 12 Laps; 7. Mark Davis, Ventura, 12 Laps; 8. Dave Revard, Ventura, 12 Laps; 9. Dave Dotson, Thousand Oaks, 12 Laps; 10. Cindy Addison, Oxnard, 12 Laps; 11. Steve Addison, Oxnard, 12 Laps; 12. Tom Bellinger, Cypress, 12 Laps; 13. Kent Benson, Valencia, 9 Laps; 14. John Haag, Moorpark, 8 Laps; 15. Jim Snow, 8 Laps; 16. Kevin Alverson, Thousand Oaks, 2 Laps; 17. Linda Taylor, San Dimas, 2 Laps; 18. Keith Koslov, Agoura, 2 Laps.

Lap Leaders -- Kevin Alverson (1-2), Kent Benson (3-6), Bill Van Praag (7-12)

Top 10 in points -- 1. Bill Van Praag, 255; 2. George Sack Jr, 230; 3. George Calvo, 200; 4. Mike Neal, 195; 4. Ed Niedzwiecki, 195; 6. Ron Capodieci, 190; 7. Mark Davis, 165; 8. Dave Revard, 160; 9. Kent Benson, 155; 10. Tom Bellinger, 150
-----------------------------------------------

VRA Sport Compact (Rear Wheel) -- 1. Brent Underwood, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 2. Brad Long, Burbank, 20 Laps; 3. Justin Kierce, Reseda, 19 Laps; 4. Jason Marshall, Ventura, 19 Laps; 5. Bill Changus, Fillmore, 19 Laps; 6. Corey McKinney, Ventura, 19 Laps; 7. Brandon Reta, Ventura, 19 Laps; 8. Ryan Changus, Port Hueneme, 19 Laps; 9. Glen Underwood, Camarillo, 18 Laps; 10. Cody Greiman, Camarillo, 0 Laps

Top 10 in points -- 1. Brent Underwood, 495; 2. Cody Greiman, 405; 2. Brad Long, 405; 4. Corey McKinney, 360; 5. Bill Changus, 355; 6. Brandon Reta, 340; 7. Glen Underwood, 315; 8. Ryan Changus, 300; 9. Jason Marshall, 205; 10. Justin Kierce, 185
-----------------------------------------------

VRA Sport Compact (Front Wheel) -- 1. Joel Chavez Jr., Santa Paula, 20 Laps; 2. James Brown, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 3. John Butcher, Santa Barbara, 19 Laps; 4. Darren Gunnell, Santa Paula, 18 Laps; 5. Jess Carlucci, Camarillo, 15 Laps.
Lap Leaders -- Joel Chavez Jr. (1-20)

Top 10 in points -- 1. James Brown, 490; 2. Joel Chavez Jr., 475; 3. Darren Gunnell, 385; 4. John Butcher, 380; 5. Jess Carlucci, 365; 6. Randal Dougan, 225; 7. Roger Sutton, 195

-----------------------------------------------

VRA Junior Midgets -- 1. Tyler Jerman, Palmdale, 15 Laps; 2. Luke Boles, Goleta, 15 Laps; 3. Brennan Rogers, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 4. Austin Figueroa, El Segundo, 15 Laps; 5. Nick Valenzuela, Ventura, 15 Laps; 6. Devin McCree, Ventura, 15 Laps; 7. Mark Garrett, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 8. Cody Majors, Simi Valley, 15 Laps; 9. Chase Lippert, Granada Hills, 15 Laps; 10. Ricky Lewis, Oxnard, 14 Laps; 11. Kayle Brazel, Granada Hills, 14 Laps; 12. Riley Helland, Ventura, 3 Laps; 13. Cameron Dougan, Camarillo, 0 Laps.

Lap Leaders -- : Tyler Jerman (1-15)

Top 10 in points -- 1. Tyler Jerman, 260; 2. Luke Boles, 235; 3. Brennan Rogers, 225; 4. Austin Figueroa, 200; 5. Nick Valenzuela, 185; 6. Devin McCree, 175; 6. Mark Garrett, 175; 8. Cody Majors, 165; 9. Riley Helland, 155; 10. Chase Lippert, 150
-----------------------------------------------

VRA Mini Dwarf: Superchargers -- 1. Oliver Blades, Moorpark, 12 Laps; 2. Cameron McCauley, Westlake, 12 Laps; 3. Tommy Velasquez III, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 4. Joey Freshour, Ventura, 12 Laps; 5. Joseph Magana, Port Hueneme, 12 Laps; 6. Ricky Lewis, Oxnard, 12 Laps; 7. Olivia Redman, Ventura, 11 Laps; 8. Alexis Mann, Simi Valley, 10 Laps; 9. Miles Hedrick, Simi Valley, 4 Laps.

Lap Leaders -- Ricky Lewis (1-8), Oliver Blades (9-12)

Top 10 in points -- 1. Oliver Blades, 250; 2. Cameron McCauley, 235; 3. Tommy Velasquez III, 225; 4. Joseph Magana, 200; 4. Joey Freshour, 200; 6. Ricky Lewis, 195; 7. Olivia Redman, 165; 7. Miles Hedrick, 165; 7. Alexis Mann, 165

-----------------------------------------------

VRA Mini Dwarf: Pistons -- 1. Zachery Gilmore, Woodland Hills, 12 Laps; 2. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 3. JP Cardillo, Somis, 12 Laps; 4. Joe Snyder, Westlake, 12 Laps; 5. Kyle Peterson, Santa Clarita, 12 Laps; 6. Cole Wakim, Simi Valley, 11 Laps; 7. Connor Wakim, Simi Valley, 11 Laps; 8. Cody Arthur, Camarillo, 11 Laps; 9. Ryann Butcher, Ventura, 9 Laps; 10. Waylon Majors, 0 Laps

Top 10 in points -- 1. Zachery Gilmore, 255; 2. Nick Velasquez, 225; 3. Joe Snyder, 215; 4. JP Cardillo, 205; 5. Kyle Peterson, 195; 5. Cole Wakim, 195; 7. Connor Wakim, 180; 8. Cody Arthur, 170; 9. Waylon Majors, 155; 9. Ryann Butcher, 155

-----------------------------------------------

ITE SEARCH

WEBSITE
 HOME PAGE
 LATEST UPDATES
 MESSAGE BOARD
 CHAT ROOMS
 CLASSIFIEDS
 BUSINESS CARDS
 ADVERTISING
 SPONSORS
 MULTIMEDIA
 ACTION GALLERY
 GIFT IDEAS
 ONLINE STORE
 LINKS

SANCTIONS
 SPRINT CARS
 OTHERS

RACING
 RACE RESULTS
 RACE SCHEDULES
 PRESS RELEASES
 RACE COLUMNS
 NEWS & NOTES
 TEAM NOTES
 DRIVER ROSTERS
 DRIVER PROFILES
 RACE TRACKS
 RACING INFO

MISC
 VOTING BOOTH
 BULLETIN BOARD
 DTRSC SKINS
 FUN PAGE
 RACE FANS
 TRIBUTES
 SPECIAL THANKS

Get your own FREE Guestbook from htmlGEAR
 SIGN GUESTBOOK
 VIEW GUESTBOOK

EMAIL US

T-SHIRTS
& MORE