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Spectacular
Season Opener at TCS: Reische, Aust, Stein and Gaoiran triumph |
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Marysville, CA- March 27, 2005...What a kickoff for 2005. Absolutely spectacular racing action was the norm at Twin Cities Speedway last night. With weather problems imminent, track manager Greg Kearns bumped up the starting time by a half of an hour, kept the program rolling and the last checkered flag was displayed at about 9:45. That even allowed for a twenty-five minute delay in the final event of the evening when local stock car star Charlie Duffey nearly went through some k-rail in a grinding, violent crash. As it was Duffey knocked the rail over on its side and his battered racer came to rest on top of the wall. More on this later. A very cool night did not hamper what appeared to be among the best opening day crowds in recent memory from turning out to watch the action…and action is what they got. A surprisingly large field of TCS Stock Cars put on a crowd-pleasing show. Duffey and Yuba City hot shoe, John “Porkchop” Johnson were the front row starters as the field of 22 took starter Robin Davies green flag in the feature. Duffey and Chop put on a memorable cut and slash duel in the first laps of the event. Former TCS Champion Billy Knoop arrived in third and Marysville’s Andy Aust watched the duo in front peck away at each other. Rio Oso’s Jake Cavasos and Aust were having a race of their own for fourth. Cavasos was lightning fast and was likely the favorite after just a few laps. Cavasos bid for the victory was thwarted when a back marker slowed at the exit of the track and Cavasos was caught up in the ensuing melee. Cavasos had to go to the rear. The new green had Duffey in the lead and he put some distance between himself and Chop. Aust secured third from Knoop and reeled in Chop. Duffey extended his lead as Aust and Chop struggled for the runner-up spot. As the race reached half way Aust slipped by Duffey with a slick inside maneuver off turn two. Duffey tried to get him back in three and four, but slipped high and Chop made up a lot of ground. Knoop camped in fourth as impressive rookie contender Brad Magenheimer reached fifth. A quick yellow flag for a stall slowed the proceedings. The new green saw Aust, Duffey and Chop nose to tail as they approached turn three. Duffey went high and Chop fired his blue #16 to the bottom. As the pair raced side by side in the middle of three and four they made contact. Duffey’s car launched into the air and did not measurably slow down until it impacted the turn four wall with tremendous force. Implement tires that back up the wall were thrown into the air like toys and the green #4 came crashing down to rest on top of the wall. Duffey was shaken, but left the seat uninjured. Johnson’s car also sustained damage and retired from the event with suspension failure. The race was red flagged for nearly twenty-five minutes while reparations were made to the wall. The race resumed with Aust lengthening his lead in a stellar performance. He went unchallenged to the victory. Knoop finished second. Phil Shelby nipped an impressive Brad Magenheimer for third. Shelby was flying in the last laps. Chris Paquette came from nineteenth to fifth in a noteworthy ride to the front. This race was memorable as the opener for 2005. Not only was the racing excellent throughout the field, but the quality of the sleek newly designed racers was superb. Yuba City’s Ken Reische left no doubt who was going to be the favorite in 2005. Reische put the checkered flag design back on his car and, as if by magic, he swept the program. Reische started sixth in the feature field and played a smart, patient waiting game in the first laps of this one. Lisa Shelby of Yuba City jumped into an early lead and led the first five circuits. Lapped traffic played a part in the proceedings as Shelby had some difficulty getting through traffic as the fast field reeled in the back markers. Reische showed a veterans poise as he systematically used the traffic to dispel his rivals. Reische was in the lead as the race approached one-third distance. Shelby faded to fourth when a lapped car nearly took her over the banking in turn two. Shelby and fellow female star, Heather Bartlett enjoined in a pretty fierce duel by half way. Meanwhile, a cool and calm defending champion, Kevin Sprague, started to click off passes as the field spread into single file running order. Sprague had bided his time and as the race reached its concluding five laps he was all over Reische. With two laps remaining he was right there and the crowd was on its collective feet. Sprague got up on Reische and pounded on the leader’s bumper as the white banner was displayed. Reische was able to stave off the challenge during the last lap and won the thriller. Bartlett came in a credible third beating Robert Luster to the checkers. Shelby held on to fifth. The TCS Mini Stocks can be a bit of a crash fest. Hats off to all the racers who made this a fast, close and exiting event with few slowdowns. The TCS Speedway Sprint Cars had a great battle develop for the lead as the green flag flew on their featured event. Pole Sitter Steve Stein of Vacaville took the early lead and seemed headed for an easy victory. Stein is a mild mannered chauffer who takes his racing seriously. Stein won here last year and this year he has all new equipment and will be a force to be reckoned with. It looked like it was going to be an easy run until Marysville’s Ryan Mc Daniel showed up in second place. He was shadowed by last year’s runner up in points, Rick Eversult. Mc Daniel hounded Stein lap after lap as the race progressed to half way with few cautions. Mc Daniel showed Stein a wheel on the inside and then on the outside as the laps rapidly clicked off. The race was at the front as the balance of the field seemed content to ride in position. Eversult, who has championship aspirations this year, made it a three-way contest on more than one occasion. But, the young Mc Daniel was the show. As the race neared it’s conclusion Mc Daniel gave it a high side try as he tried to get Stein in two. Stein’s car appeared to straighten out and slowed abruptly just as Mc Daniel made his move. Mc Daniel rode over the right rear of Stein’s car and launched. Mc Daniel saved it from flipping, but hammered the wall with enough force to sideline his cool looking #10. Stein led the rest of the way with Eversult, 2004 champion Chris Magoon, Rob Johnson and James Castleberry in tow. Stein said in victory lane that he has never seen the speedway in this condition. “It’s the best track I’ve ever raced on,” quipped the winner. The surface stayed tacky and fast all night and undoubtedly contributed to the outstanding competition and lightning fast speeds. In the added SORA Sprint 100 program, 2004 Champion Tony Gaoiran simply ran away and hid leading by a half-lap as the white flag flew. A last lap yellow flag bunched the field, but Tony was gone at the new green and shattered the field. Thrilling, IN YOUR FACE~HIGH SPEED ACTION returns this Saturday night. The fire-breathing Winged Pacific Sprint Cars will open their season, headlining another four-division show. The TCS Stock Cars, the TCS Mini Stocks and the Speedway Sprint Cars will also be on the ambitious program. Gates open at 5 with racing at 7PM at the one and only Twin Cities Speedway. There is NO increase in admission prices this year. Adult tickets will be $10, juniors and seniors $7, children $5 and under six will be admitted for free. In fact, season passes are available for the first time this year at a reduced, per race price. Call (530) 675-2050 or drop by the ticket office on Saturday. Twin Cities Speedway is located at 1468 Simpson Lane in Marysville. For additional information call (530) 742-9222 or go to www.twincitiesspeedway.net. |
