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The CASA Chronicles (No. 17) |
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Keeping
up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association |
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October
18, 2005…San Jose, CA...The
California Asphalt Sprintcar Association recently completed their third season
of competition, closing out a 16-race campaign at Madera Speedway on October
8th. The “Tire Smoking Thunder” of CASA entertained fans at four different
venues, each comprising four events throughout the spring, summer and fall. CASA
toured the ultra-fast half-mile of Altamont Raceway and Arena, The high-banked
quarter-mile bullrings of Ukiah and Carson City’s Champion Speedways, and the
third-mile facility of Madera. CASA’s car count ranged from a dozen to as high as 23 and
a core group of 12 made almost every race. CASA benefited from local support at
Champion, a few North Bay racers made a majority of Ukiah events, a couple
Central Valley cars contributed to Madera shows and with NCMA’s assistance,
Altamont frequently had the best car counts of the season. The championship was he closest ever with four cars
entering the final event with a mathematical chance of securing the title.
Defending champ Nick Rescino, Jr. was pressed throughout the season by young
Nick Green who needed only to finish two spots ahead of Rescino in the finale,
but Rescino staked his claim with a victory and Green had to settle for
runner-up point honors. The CASA Rookie of the Year competition was nearly as
close. With three declared rookies each competing in top notch equipment, the
race to declare a top rookie was hard fought between Trever Cummins from the
dirt cars, 18 year old Green from road race go karts and fellow 18 year old
Jessica Helberg from outlaw dirt karts. All three got off to a very fast start
and began posting impressive qualifying efforts and excellent feature finishes.
Cummins had perhaps the slightest advantage early on but unfortunately was
unable to enter all events. Green hit the track running as well and with each
lap looked more and more like a potential winner. Helberg, with the least
overall experience of the three, picked up on everything very quickly. Any
rookie mistakes were only committed once and her progression was swift. As she
become comfortable in her new ride she also became a threat. Both Green and Helberg made frequent appearances in the
fast car trophy dashes and both even set fast times, Helberg at Ukiah and Green
at Altamont and Madera. The top 10 drivers finished as follows: (1) Nick Rescino,
Jr. (2) Nick Green, (3) Glenn Hopper, (4) Tony Iacobitti, (5) Jessica Helberg,
(6) Joe Hauck, (7) Marvin Mitchell, (8) Scott Clough, (9) Ryan Baumgartner, and
(10) Earle Stanton. Both Jeff Gardner and Brian McClish finished outside the
top ten but recorded CASA feature wins, Gardner with five and McClish with one
win. Now its on to Championship Awards Dinner planning! Keep in touch with all CASA racing activity through the CASA website: www.casaracing.com |
