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(June 24, 2006- Chowchilla, CA)...Gary Koster smoothly
powered his RJB Engines, Ramos Oil Sprinter to his first season win
at Chowchilla Speedway on Saturday, June 24. Koster started on the
pole of the eighteen car field and held off challenges by Patco
Trucking’s Jake Serven and D & D Racing’s Danny Olmstead on
the extremely dry but smooth 1/3 mile track.
Sometimes it’s the little things that give a track a fun and
friendly atmosphere. Early arrivals in the pits were allowed to pull
in and unload and when the pit gate opened, one of the track’s
school buses picked up teams and delivered them to the pit gate, a
gesture greatly appreciated in the hundred plus degree heat. At the
pit board and snack area, misters ran to keep everyone cool.
Reverend Ron, the track minister, led the driver’s meeting with a
prayer for safety and for cooler temps, and track announcer Dave
Munoz made the rounds in the pits to meet all the teams. Promoters
Tom and Cindy Sagmiller go the extra mile every week to welcome
racers and fans.
We welcomed a new driver, 21 year old Todd Miller of
Lafayette
to the CSRA Wingless Spec Sprint ranks. Todd debuted his sprinter
the previous week at Marysville and is being mentored by veteran
racer Rick Williams. He is sponsored by Trimble Motorsports and
Busby Motorsports.
The eighteen car field consisted of teams from both the CSRA and
NCMA clubs, as this was the second of six scheduled dual club shows
at Chowchilla. The first of three heat races was won by
Merced
’s Steven Williams. Back row starter David Goodwill moved into the
second spot in record time when a heart stopping accident occurred.
Contact between Michael Zarevich, Rob Hammond, and Bobby Nichols in
turn one first had
Hammond
flip and then Nichols hit the back straight wall and flipped as
well. All of the drivers were all right, but damage to their cars
considerable. When the race resumed, Williams took the checkers
first with Lito Auto Body’s Goodwill and RJB Engines’ Jerry
Cisco close behind. Heat two went flag to flag with Ed Amador taking
the win from a front row start, followed by RJB Engines’ Shannon
Newton and Larry Nelson. D & D Racing’s Matt Streeter won heat
three from a front row start as well. Pole sitter Todd Miller had a
great run and sat in the second spot until Danny Olmstead made the
lap five pass. Miller held a solid third at the checkers. D & D
Racing’s Olmstead took the six lap trophy dash win over David
Goodwill and Steven Williams.
The twenty lap feature began with
Woodland
’s veteran racer
Gary
Koster on pole and Patco Trucking’s Jake Serven next to him. At
the green Koster took the lead with Serven, Olmstead, and Nelson
behind him. The dry track conditions made it a challenge for
everyone and most tucked in low hugging the inside grove. Back row
starters Dave Press and Keith Shipherd made some progress up the
field but passing seemed near impossible in the one lane train of
cars. A few spins slowed the race momentum and Koster continued his
smooth run at the front with Serven, Olmstead, and Nelson all nose
to tail. At lap fifteen Olmstead clipped a tractor tire in turn two
and spun, and with nowhere to go, Nelson t-boned him. Both drivers
were all right and were seen shaking hands after the races. At the
checkers, it was a happy Gary Koster in the winner’s spot, trailed
by Jake Serven, Ed Amador, David Goodwill and Rob Hammond.
The CSRA Wingless Sprints will race again at the always hospitable
Chowchilla Speedway on Saturday on Saturday, July 15. Drive safe,
have fun and take care.
Summary:
Heat 1: Steven Williams, David Goodwill, Jerry Cisco, Michael
Zarevich,
Bobby Nichols, Rob Hammond
Heat 2: Ed Amador, Shannon Newton, Larry
Nelson, Jake Serven, Dave
Press, Keith Shipherd
Heat 3: Matt Streeter, Danny Olmstead, Todd
Miller, Gary Koster, Jimmy
Lavell, Doug Gandy, Jr.
Trophy Dash: Danny Olmstead, David Goodwill,
Steven Williams, Ed Amador,
Shannon Newton, Matt Streeter
Main: Gary Koster, Jake Serven, Ed Amador,
David Goodwill, Rob Hammond,
Jerry Cisco, Jimmy Lavell, Dave Press, Keith Shipherd, Larry Nelson,
Danny Olmstead, Matt Streeter, Shannon Newton, Steven Williams, Todd
Miller, Michael Zarevich, Doug Gandy Jr. (DNS) Bobby Nichols (DNS)
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