Chowchilla, CA - June 2, 2007....Salinas’ Steve Pemberton
powered his Pemberton Motorsports Wingless Spec Sprint to a first
Chowchilla feature win on Saturday June 2, coming from the back of
the field for a thrilling race. Pemberton made an outside pass on
Gotelli Speed’s Dave Press on lap eighteen to take the lead, and
was chased to the line by Press, Jimmy Lavell, David Goodwill, and
Dan Gonderman.
Saturday was the Spec Sprint’s second visit to the well
prepared track, and teams were warmly welcomed by Chowchilla’s
friendly staff. Two six lap heat races ran with Antioch’s Dan
Gonderman leading wire to wire in heat one followed by Steve
Pemberton, Lito Auto Body’s David Goodwill, Gotelli Speeds’ Dave
Press, and Rob Hammond. Heat two ran flag to flag with Cameron Beard
and Concord’s Burt Siverling starting in the front row. Beard took
the lead at the green and Contra Costa Auto Parts’ Keith Shipherd
made an inside pass for the lead on lap four. Shipherd won and was
chased by Atwater’s Cameron Beard, Siverling, Harvest Park
Bowl’s Jimmy Lavell, Ed Amador, and Pizza Factory’s Doug Gandy,
Jr. Cameron Beard won the trophy dash in a 327 powered machine.
The twenty-five lap feature began with Brentwood’s Jimmy Lavell
and Foster City’s Dave Press on the front row. Press took the
point at the green and was followed by a freight train of cars
hugging the bottom consisting of Lavell, Goodwill, Beard and
Gonderman. Gonderman passed Beard for fourth on lap two and Shipherd
took the fifth spot on lap three. By lap five Pemberton had powered
up to fifth using the high groove, finding moisture in turn four.
Beard clipped the back straight wall but managed to save his mount
from going over for the first caution. On the restart Pemberton
pulled into second behind Press followed by Lavell, Shipherd,
Gonderman and Goodwill. Shipherd spun to avoid hard contact with
Lavell as the lead group slowed in turn two for the second yellow.
Press continued protecting his lead as the group behind hugged the
bottom groove, but Pemberton took to the high side of turn four for
the pass and the lead. Midfield action saw Shipherd pass Amador in
turn four for seventh and then a last lap pass on Hammond for the
sixth spot. Pemberton, a two time Watsonville Speedway champion,
took his first Chowchilla win followed closely by Press, Lavell,
Goodwill and Gonderman.
Chowchilla Speedway will host its own Wingless Spec Sprint race
on Saturday June 16. This is a non point race, just for fun. Come
out and support the track that has given the Spec Sprints a great
place to race since 2001. The 1/3 mile track is fast and always well
prepared. Officiating is fair, hospitality is top notch, and the
racing is clean. Bring three crew members and the fourth gets in
free. For more information, contact the track.
Drive safe, have fun and take care.
Summary:
Heat 1: Dan Gonderman, Steve Pemberton, David Goodwill, Dave
Press, Rob Hammond
Heat 2: Keith Shipherd, Cameron Beard, Burt Siverling, Jimmy
Lavell, Ed Amador, Doug Gandy, Jr.
Trophy Dash: Beard, Pemberton, Gonderman, Shipherd
Main: Pemberton, Press, Lavell, Goodwill, Gonderman, Shipherd,
Hammond, Amador, Siverling, Beard, Gandy
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