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McClish
Masterful In CASA Action at Ukiah |
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5-14-05
– Ukiah, CA. Brian McClish from nearby Santa Rosa, California masterfully
guided his beautiful candy purple, family owned McClish Excavating Special to
his first California Asphalt Sprintcar Association of the season as CASA made
their rain delayed and highly anticipated first visit to the high banked
quarter-mile Ukiah Speedway. Opening
the evening’s action, defending CASA Champion Nick Rescino, Jr. from San
Francisco bested a 13-car field, laying down a fast lap at 12.091 seconds to
take qualifying honors and establish a new CASA track record. McClish was
selected to carry the American flag for the National Anthem, an honor not
usually given to push-required cars, yet the Star Spangled Banner, pole and flag
nearly as big as the sprint car, was attached to the rear bumper for the opening
ceremony. A fan appreciated, impressive sight as he circled the paved oval made
all the more exciting when McClish laid down the power for a blast at speed past
the main grandstand when the song was completed. The
trophy dash again saw more Brian McClish, as he proved victorious over teammate
and fellow Santa Rosan Trever Cummins in his bright orange #17, Chico’s Brad
Bumgarner in the flame-painted family-based #88 and fast timer Rescino. Heat one
saw 2004 CASA Champion Tony Iacobitti take the yellow-checkered flag in the
“Black Beauty” Oval Chassis Research #71 over Joe Hauck and Marvin Mitchell
after an unusual collision that found then third running Scott Clough’s car
literally underneath the machine of Rookie-of-the-Year contender Jessica Helberg
who somehow climbed to that precarious position in avoiding a spinning Ivan
Worden. Helberg and Worden would return to race the feature event, however
despite a furious multi-team effort, major driveline repairs could not be
completed in time for Clough to continue his evening. San Jose’s Glenn Hopper
claimed heat two over Bumgarner, and another Rookie-of-the-Year candidate, Nick
Green aboard the All Weld #14. As
the night’s featured event, CASA lined up for a scheduled 75-rounder after an
early evening of wild preliminary action. Iacobitti paced the field from the
pole with Helberg along side and together they blasted out of turn four ahead of
a 75 percent inverted field of growling sprinters. Iacobitti was quick to the
point and put the slightest of distance between himself and Helberg who had her
hands full staving off a hard charging pack of contenders. After several
lightening quick rounds, contact was made in turn three and Helberg ended up
facing the wrong way in the infield. For the restart, track officials dispatched
the competitor deemed responsible for Helberg’s infield adventure to accompany
her at the rear of the field. Several
green flag laps saw Iacobitti continue holding the point over an ever-tightening
pack in which McClish somehow managed to advance a few positions until Ivan
Worden disappeared over the turn three banking to bring out another caution.
Bumgarner’s mount began to falter shortly after the subsequent restart and he
exited the fray while running in the top five. With the laps clicking off,
McClish cut into Iacobitti’s lead with Rescino, Hopper and Green in tow. A
final caution on lap 40 set the stage for the second half of the race, however
the fair board mandated curfew was rapidly approaching and time at the front was
running short for Iacobitti as well. At mid-race, track conditions were no
longer in “Yak’s” favor and his tight condition worsened to the point he
could not fend of McClish’s challenge for dominance at the front of the field.
McClish sped past and then Rescino a few laps later, Hopper next and as the
curfew bell rang on lap 50 and the white flag was displayed to the pack, young
charger Green slipped past Iacobitti for fourth place. The checkers flowed over
McClish as his #04 flashed past the stripe to claim bragging rights to the first
ever CASA feature event at the beautiful high banked Ukiah Speedway. Rescino
took second, Hopper third, Green nipped Iacobitti for forth, and Cummins was a
solid sixth over Helberg. Earl Stanton, Joe Hauck and Marvin Mitchell rounded
out the top ten spots. CASA’s
next event will be the “Salute to Indy” on Memorial Day weekend, May 28th
at Carson City’s Champion Speedway. The “Tire Burning Thunder” of the
California Sprint Cars will be joined by the colorful BCRA midgets in dual 100
lap features saluting the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” Please visit www.casaracing.com
for more information. 5-14-05
CASA Results QUALIFYING TROPHY
DASH 51
LAP MAIN EVENT POINT
STANDINGS 5-14-05
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