Tracy, Ca...June 19... Alum-Line's Pat Ariaz took his 3rd
feature win on Saturday, June 19 at Altamont from a 3rd row start,
zipping past both 2nd place J & J Dairy's Ed Amador and leader
420 Garage's Keith Shipherd on lap 12, and was in the lead to take
the yellow checkered flag on lap 22. Amador, Shipherd, Patterson's
Don Hicks and Tracy's John Silva rounded out the top five.
During the afternoon practice sessions the NCMA teams shared the
happy news about the healthy new addition to the family. Russ and
Kas Wullenwaber welcomed the birth of their daughter, Cierra Jade
Wullenwaber on Thursday, June 17, and we all congratulate them. New
driver Hale Lumber's Rob Hammond took some smooth and cautious laps
during practice for his first Altamont experience, and had
fun. Qualifying saw Mark Amador who was subbing for his brother
Steve, spin out and make unfortunate contact with the 1/4 mile track
wall, which resulted in severe damage to the car, but he was
unharmed.
Heat 1 began with Ariaz on the pole and the Dan's Racer Safety car
of John Silva next to him. Ariaz powered into the lead with Silva
right behind him. Z and Z Racing's Michael Zarevich challenged OCR's
Burt Siverling for the 3rd spot, lap after lap trying to pass him on
the high side, Silva gave Ariaz a good challenge for the lead on the
last lap but
couldn't overtake him, and Ariaz took the win in a fast and caution
free race. Heat 2 ran flag to flag as well, with the win going to Ed
Amador followed by Don Hicks, Shipherd, and Sam Davies. The trophy
dash victory was an exciting first win for rookie John Silva, who
disappeared quickly into the stands to celebrate with his family,
and reported that the
trophy was going to be his dad's gift for Father's Day.
The 25 lap feature began with Z & Z Racing's Michael Zarevich on
the pole and Contra Costa Auto Parts' Keith Shipherd on the outside.
Shipherd took the lead at the green followed by Amador and Silva. On
lap 12 Ariaz darted around both Amador and Shipherd to take the
lead. Amador passed a lapped car on the inside as Shipherd got
trapped on the outside and moved up to the 2nd spot. The action
stopped on lap 21 when Sam Davies and Rob Hammond made accidental
contact, Davies hit the wall, and
both drivers were okay, but their cars crippled. Officials threw a
yellow checkered, and at the finish it was Ariaz, Amador, Hicks, and
Silva in the top 5.
For additional racing enjoyment, the NCMA teams will be raffling off
several items for the fans, beginning with 2 children's bikes at our
next race at Chowchilla Speedway on Saturday, July 17, and more
items as the donations come in. The teams will return to Altamont
next Saturday, June 26, and following the holiday will be running
race #4 of the West Coast Select Series at Reno-Fernley's fast 3/8
mile track on Saturday, July 10. All Spec Sprint drivers are welcome
to join us.
In light of several recent racing accidents that have resulted in
unfortunate driver injuries, let these serve as a reminder for all
drivers to do regular checks on all of their safety equipment,
repair or replace warn equipment, use and wear it all if they are
not doing so,
and be as safe as you can possibly be in this sport we all love.
Drive safe, have fun, and take care.
Summary:
Fast Time: Pat Ariaz 18.601
Heat 1- Pat Ariaz, John Silva, Burt Siverling, Michael Zarevich, Rob
Hammond
Heat 2- Ed Amador, Don Hicks, Keith Shipherd, Sam Davies
Trophy Dash- John Silva, Pat Ariaz, Keith Shipherd, Ed Amador
Main- Pat Ariaz, Ed Amador, Keith Shipherd, Don Hicks, John Silva,
Burt
Siverling, Michael Zarevich, Rob Hammond, Sam Davies, Mark Amador
(DNS)
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