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(July 15, 2006- Chowchilla, CA)...Ramos Oil’s Gary Koster
scored a repeat victory at Chowchilla Speedway’s well prepared 1/3
mile track on Saturday July 15, throttling his RJB Engines powered
machine into the lead from a fifth starting spot. Koster made the
pass on pole starter Patco Trucking’s Jake Serven on lap five and
was chased to the checkers by Richard Harvey Jr., Ed Amador, Serven,
and
Napa
’s David Goodwill.
Upon arrival at the track a major effort to beat the effects of the
scorching
Central Valley
heat was underway. Track promoter Tom Sagmiller and crew continually
watered and groomed the track while misters ran at the pit board and
snack areas. The #20 “Chowchilla Transit”
3 o’clock
bus again delivered teams from the pits to the pit gate with Tom
Sagmiller at the helm. The track now owns a fleet of eight school
buses that race at Chowchilla and this event has quickly become a
fan favorite.
This was the third of six scheduled dual club Spec Sprint shows
combining cars from the CSRA and NCMA clubs. Two new drivers were
warmly welcomed to the ever growing Spec Sprint roster. It was a
pleasure meeting 18 year old Kent Stephens who piloted a beautiful
new car for his debut.
Kent
is sponsored by Stephens Motorsports and has plenty of experienced
support on his team. Riddell Enterprises’ Jimmy Riddell
encountered mechanical problems and a DNS at Chowchilla the previous
week with the SCRA injected 360’s, but had a much smoother time
after working out some bugs in his new ride.
Two heat races ran, with SCRA regular Richard Harvey Jr. winning the
first in the Sam Davies owned Spec Sprint. Lito Auto Body’s David
Goodwill won heat two, followed by Jake Serven and a solid third
went to Kent Stephens. A thrilled Jake Serven won his first season
trophy dash, leading all four laps from green to checkers.
During racing breaks Sagmiller’s crew continued to water and groom
the track as announcer Dave Munoz entertained the fans along with
eleven year old Zachary Beard. This young sensational assistant
flagman does it with such flair he makes flagging an art form.
As the green flags unfurled for the feature, Serven took the point
from his pole start followed by Koster, Goodwill, Harvey Jr., and
RJB Engines’ Jerry Cisco. The first few laps saw positions
shuffling as drivers searched the slick track for moisture, with
most hugging the bottom line. The “Woodland Rocket” Koster took
command on lap five and Harvey Jr. moved into the second spot on lap
ten, getting a nose under Koster several times but unable to pass.
At the checkers it was a victorious Koster with Harvey Jr., Amador,
Serven, and Goodwill in the top five. Kudos to back starters
Shipherd and Lavell who negotiated a dust cloud in front to move up
to the 6th and 7th spots respectively and new
drivers Riddell and Stephens who both drove smooth, clean races and
enjoyed themselves. The CSRA Wingless Spec Sprints will return to
Chowchilla Speedway again on Saturday, July 29. For track
information call
(559)
665-7223
.
Photos can be viewed at http://www.420racing.net/
Drive safe, have fun and take care.
Summary:
Heat 1: Richard Harvey, Jr., Ed Amador, Gary Koster, Rob Hammond,
Jimmy Lavell, Jimmy Riddell
Heat 2: David Goodwill, Jake Serven, Kent Stephens, Jerry Cisco,
Keith Shipherd
Trophy Dash: Jake Serven, Richard Harvey, Jr, Ed Amador, David
Goodwill
Main
: Gary Koster, Richard Harvey, Jr., Ed Amador, Jake Serven, David
Goodwill, Keith Shipherd, Jimmy Lavell, Rob Hammond, Kent Stephens,
Jerry Cisco, Jimmy Riddell
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