|
9-15-07 – Madera, CA --- In a busy night for race officials, scorers, and point auditors, three major activities filled the speedway environment. First, Defending California Asphalt Sprintcar Association champion Tony Hunt closed out the 2007 season capturing the 50 lap CASA/USAC “Best in the West” series finale with an impressive win at Madera Speedway’s one-third mile oval. Second, the event closed out the CASA/USAC “Best in the West” series in which Hunt was dethroned as champion by young Ryan Kaplan. Kaplan ascended to the throne with a near flawless season, converting 460 of a possible 480 points towards the championship. And third, an accomplishment not seen in CASA’s history, 2006 Rookie of the Year Jo-Jo Helberg upped his performance to Championship status becoming the first driver to win Rookie of the Year honors then take the CASA title in only his sophomore season.
Hunt, who last season dominated all the available series titles last season, has witnessed the emergence of the aforementioned young tigers first hand, but ran impressively in beating all comers on this night. Kaplan did however secure fast time honors over a sparse field of 11 entrants.
Heat race honors went to Bradley Galedrige aboard the Swanson number 17 subbing for the Swanson boys who were competing elsewhere, and 17 year-old Helberg, who with his heat win needed only to take the green flag in the feature to secure his first CASA championship.
Veteran Shauna Hogg and Eric Humphries paced the field to green in the feature with Hogg leading lap one. Helberg hustled past on lap two and led until lap 16 when last year’s champ had something to say about running at the front. Hunt slipped by Helberg on lap 16 and began clicking off laps towards the finish line. Newly crowned “BITW” champ Kaplan managed his way past Helberg as well, and Hogg and Galedrige engaged in a spirited battle that lasted a good portion of the event.
By the final laps, Hunt had lapped his way to the top five runners making his run look more comfortable than it was, knowing the caliber and confidence of the drivers behind him. As the checkers fell, the “Three Champs” Hunt, Kaplan, and Helberg all headed for the podium, while Hogg prevailed in her battle for fourth over Galedrige who took fifth.
Sixth was Jim Kaiser who not only showed great consistency throughout the season but marked improvement in performance that secured him second place in the season long CASA points battle. Two-time CASA champ Nick Rescino, Jr. was seventh followed by local favorite, Anthony “Cannonball” Simone who thrilled the crowd with a spinning finish in eighth, followed by Humphries and new comer Jimmy Riddell in 10th. Greg Anderson suffered steering woes and did not make the call for the feature.
Next up: CASA will hold its annual corporate board meeting and plan the Championship banquet. For banquet information or any CASA activity, visit www.casaracing.com
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Ryan Kaplan 13.827
2. Tony Hunt 13.858
3. Bradley Galedrige 13.884
4. Jo-Jo Helberg 13.937
5. Shauna Hogg 14.092
6. Eric Humphries 14.157
7. Greg Anderson 14.226
8. Nick Rescino Jr. 14.360
9. Anthony Simone 14.548
10. Jimmy Riddell 14.739
11. Jim Kaiser 14.750
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps)
1. Galedrige
2. Kaplan
3. Kaiser
4. Anderson
5. Simone
6. Hogg
NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps)
1. Jo-Jo Helberg
2. Humphries
3. Rescino
4. Hunt
5. Riddell
NT
FEATURE: (50 laps)
1. Tony Hunt
2. Ryan Kaplan
3. Jo-Jo Helberg
4. Shauna Hogg
5. Bradley Galedrige
6. Jim Kaiser
7. Nick Rescino, Jr.
8. Anthony Simone
9. Eric Humphries
10. Jimmy Riddell
11. Greg Anderson (DNS)
NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1 Hogg, Laps 2-15 Helberg, Laps 16-50 Hunt.
CASA 2007 Final Point Standings
Driver Final Total
1 Joe Helberg 438
2 Jim Kaiser 401
3 Tony Hunt 400
4 Matt DeMartini 301
5 Scott Clough 237
6 Tanner Swanson 232
7 Kody Swanson 227
8 Jessica Helberg 129
9 Ryan Kaplan 59
10 Alan Harney 50
11 Tony Iacobitti 46
2007 “Best in the West” Series Final Point Standings
Driver Final Total
1 Ryan Kaplan 460
2 Jo-Jo Helberg 452
3 Shauna Hogg 427
4 Jim Kaiser 420
5 Nick Rescino, Jr. 401
6 Tony Hunt 401
7 Greg Anderson 384
8 Eric Humphries 302
9 Matt DeMartini 286
10 Laura Hayes 271
11 Scott Clough 241
12 Tanner Swanson 234
13 Kody Swanson 233
14 Brian Geiszler 209
15 Richard Bailey 207
16 Brian McClish 207
17 Anthony Simone 204
18 Jimmy Riddell 156
19 Nick Green 152
20 Jessica Helberg 137
21 Tim Barber 104
22 Mike Murgoitio 59
23 Bradley Galedrige 56
24 Jimmy Sills 55
25 Ryan Burdett 54
26 Evan Funk 51
27 Dave Gilmore 50
28 Alan Harney 49
29 Johnny Rodriguez 49
30 Garrett Peterson 45
31 Tony Iacobitti 44
32 Chad Nichols 43
|
