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| Hanestad Hooked Up At
Watsonville by Debbie Shipherd |
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(May 7, 2004- Watsonville, CA)...S & S Motors' Darrell
Hanestad won the Friday night feature at Watsonville Speedway's Open
Wheel Night, which was the 3rd race in the NCMA's West Coast Select Series, and sponsored by Hale Lumber of Morgan Hill. Hanestad worked his way to the front from a back row start on the hooked up 1/4 mile track in the furious paced final 10 laps of the 25 lap feature after Wafford Insurance's John Fenton blew his motor and J & J Dairy's Ed Amador took over the lead. He was chased to the checkers by Ed Amador and Kaeding Performance's David Goodwill in a field of 15 Spec Sprints. This was the NCMA's 1st visit to Watsonville in 5 years, and the promoters, officials, and fans gave them a warm welcome. One NCMA Spec Sprint was invited to participate in the track's driver of the week program and parked at the main entrance to meet and greet fans. Driver autograph sheets were distributed and the fans enjoyed getting a close look at the car. The 1st of two 8 lap heat races began with a dramatic flip in turn 1 by visitor Tim Sherman, who ran up on another car's tire and sent himself airborne, causing severe damage to his car, but he was all right. After the restart the heat ran flag to flag with San Jose's Sal Mannina taking the win, followed by Jim Janssen of Antioch and Steve Mannina . Heat 2 ran quick and caution free as Hanestad took the lead from his front row start and was chased to the checkers by David Goodwill and Contra Costa Auto Part's Keith Shipherd. The trophy dash had to be canceled due to time problems when Sal Mannina's car had an electrical wiring fire just as he lined up in front of the grandstands. The feature field was completely inverted with Ramos Oil's Jimmy Lavell and Wadco Trenching's George Terry on the front row, and heat race winners Sal Mannina and Darrell Hanestad in the back. As the green was thrown, Hale Lumber's Rob Hammond darted into the infield with a broken front axle and another car spun out. The restart took several minutes but allowed Sal Mannina to join the field after he missed the green dealing with gear problems. Jimmy Lavell took the lead followed by Fenton, George Terry, and Ed Amador. Several laps later a spin out collected several cars in their attempts to avoid contact with the spun car, and Shipherd pitted with a flat. John Fenton powered his red rocket into the lead for several laps, but a blown engine ended his night. Ed Amador then headed the pack with Hanestad and Goodwill charging hard behind him, and Shipherd rejoined the fast field. The hooked up, tacky track allowed for some intense side by side racing as the sprints ran at incredible speeds anywhere on the track, and the lead cars deftly darted through lapped traffic as the last 10 circuits ticked away. At the checkers, it was Hanestad, Amador, Goodwill, Lavell and George Terry in the top five. After the trophy presentations, autographed NCMA Sprint T-shirts were given away, and the fans flocked to the pits. NCMA driver's representative, Russ Wullenwaber graciously stepped up to assume officiating duties and did a top notch job at teching the cars and keeping things running smoothly.Veteran Spec Sprint driver Don O'Keefe offered his expertise and assistance to all of the teams throughout the night, and his support was greatly appreciated by everyone. The NCMA returns to the fast 1/2 mile paved track at Altamont on Saturday, May 15, followed by another asphalt race in Lakeport on May 22. Drive safe, have fun, and take care. Summary: Heat 1: Sal Mannina, Jim Janssen, Steve Mannina, Ed Amador, John Fenton, Burt Siverling, Jimmy Lavell, Tim Sherman Heat 2: Darrell Hanestad, David Goodwill, Keith Shipherd, Bobby Bankson, Rob Hammond, Scott Merrell, Michael Zarevich, George Terry Main: Darrell Hanestad, Ed Amador, David Goodwill, Jimmy Lavell, George Terry, Burt Siverling, Jim Janssen, Michael Zarevich, Sal Mannina, Keith Shipherd, John Fenton, Bobby Bankson, Steve Mannina, Scott Merrell, Rob Hammond, Tim Sherman (DNS) |
