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| Hanestad Leads Last Laps at
Watsonville by Debbie Shipherd |
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Watsonville, Ca August 13...S & S Auotomotive's veteran
racer Darrell Hanestad led the last 3 laps of the feature at
Watsonville Speedway on Friday August 13 to take the win after a thrilling duel with former San Jose Speedway champion Rick Martin, who led all but the final laps from a front row start. Hanestad chased Armand Fence's Martin from the green with Dave Johnson Machine's Billy Macedo, Kaeding Performance's David Goodwill, and J & J Dairy's Ed Amador rounding out the top 5. Eighteen wingless sprints ran in the NCMA's 5th West Coast Select Series race for a Friday the 13th show that proved to be unlucky for some and a good night for others. Many NCMA drivers battled the mud in several long, messy mud packing sessions and put out a major effort to help get the wet track into shape, which resulted in a narrow racing surface, but one of the heaviest tracks the teams had seen in a long time. Dave Press, a Watsonville regular in the IMCA modified division, debuted in his new Clark's Auto and Marine wingless sprint for the 1st time, and did double duty, racing his modified as well. Tracy's Charlie Correia also ran in 2 divisions, driving his Outlaw Signs sprint and a dwarf car, too. Sophmore NCMA driver Michael Zarevich of Manteca scored his very first exciting heat race win from a pole start, followed by Hanestad and Hale Lumber's Rob Hammond. Heat 2 ran flag to flag with Concord's Billy Macedo taking the win from a front row start, with Rick Martin and Anchor Auto Body's Sal Mannina rounding out the top 3. The 3rd heat ran caution free with the victory going to OCR's Burt Siverling who was chased to the checkers by Randy Jones Construction's Jimmy Lavell and Jim Janssen of Antioch. Watsonville's officials were pushed for time but graciously allowed the sprints to run a trophy dash after NCMA official Eddie Cooley informed them it would be a 1st time dash for several drivers. Happy heat race winner Zarevich pulled a lucky pole start for the dash with Macedo next to him, and Macedo took the win. Burt Siverling suffered some damage in the dash after making contact with the wall, but with help from the Shipherd team got repairs done in time for the feature. Announcer Tony Karis made quick driver introductions as 18 wingless sprints took the field in front of the packed grandstands, with Lavell and Rick Martin on the front row. Martin took the lead with Hanestad charging hard behind him, and the two veteran drivers led the fast paced action for several laps until a caution came out for a spun Sal Mannina. Martin continued to lead Hanestad, Lavell, and Macedo in what looked like a train of sprints on the tight 1/4 mile track. Lap nine was unlucky for Rob Hammond as he coasted to the infield with a blown motor, and Willie Butterick exited with mechanical problems. A great 3 wide battle ensued in the middle of the pack as
Goodwill and Shipherd NCMA racing action continues on Saturday, Aug.21 at Chowchilla
Speedway, and round 5 and the final West Coast Select Series race
will be on Saturday, Sep.11 at Chowchilla. Drive safe, have fun, and
take care. |
