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Emotional Ending to Wingless Nationals at Chico |
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(Chico, CA 10-12-08)...It was a “Hollywood Ending” at Silver Dollar Speedway during the final race of 2008. After 34-years of racing, Darrell Hanestad knew that tonight was going to be his final laps in a sprint car. After the checkered flag waived and Hanestad won the main event he did not want to stop. Five slow victory laps later, during which he was probably reflecting about his racing career, Hanestad pulled into victory lane. “This is a good time to stop,” said Hanestad in victory lane. During his emotional 10 minute post race interview the crowd had gathered to listen to his final thoughts. At one point, Hanestad broke down and let out some tears when he talked about his final race. “I have to thank my wife, family and friends for allowing me to do this for 34-years,” said Hanestad. In my ten year history associated with the speedway it was the most surreal moment that I have experienced. To watch over the remaining fans soak in every heart felt word Hanestad spoke capped off the most fitting end to another great season of memories at the speedway. Even though not many fans had witnessed the race, I think of those that were there it will always hold a special place in our hearts and memories when we think of Silver Dollar Speedway. To witness a champion going out on top is something that we as fans very rarely get to see. His career started in the mid seventies and has flourished now into his fourth decade of racing. Enjoy your post racing life Darrell, you deserve it. To make the night even more remarkable was that during the first heat race Hanestad slid off turn four and clipped the front grandstand wall. With his speed and momentum being built up he began to flip along the front stretch wall. He stopped near the turn one grandstand speaker unit. After he stopped the front fence was bent and his car looked worse for the wear. “It's not the way I wanted to go out,” said Hanestad in victory lane. The crew spent the next few hours getting the car race ready. Hanestad came back out to race in the B main event. He led all 15-laps to win and get the transfer. Earlier in the night he set the fastest lap in qualifying. He started eleventh in the main right behind the ten dash cars. In true veteran fashion Hanestad was patient and methodically picked off drivers one at a time. The track was slick and drivers hugged the bottom surface. Hanestad waited for a driver to slip up the track before he made his move. On lap 20, Hanestad had moved to second and was battling Bob Newberry for the lead. On the next circuit Hanestad drove the inside of Newberry coming out of turn two and got the lead. Nine laps later the checkered flag waived and Hanestad crossed the line with nearly a five-second lead. Orland driver Taylor Simas was second followed by Matt Streeter. Newberry finished in the fourth spot while Joshua Tucker rounded out the top five. The main event was plagued by yellows and red flags. Near the half way point the officials decided too many laps were run under yellow and fuel only stop was issued. Up to that point Bob Newberry seemed to have the race in hand. However, after the red flag stoppage, Hanestad and Taylor Simas seemed to pick up the pace. Hanestad pass Newberry on lap 21 for the lead and soon Simas followed. Yet, it was Hanestad who motored away leaving Simas to hold off another charging car, Matt Streeter. Of the 22 cars that started, fourteen crossed the finish line. Hanestad won the semi-main. Transferring out of the race was Mason Myers, David Hayes, Josh Vieira and Kody Smith and Timmy Sherman Jr. The ten car dash went seven laps and was won by Mitch Miller. Unfortunately for Miller, after he won the dash he should of started on the front row of the main event. However, he had to be push started and was sent to the last row of the main event. Another causality was Charlie Cagle. He had finished third in the dash but was sent to the rear of the main because of the push start. Newberry finished second. Matt Streeter was fourth and Cody Myers finished fifth. Matt Streeter won the first ten lap heat race. Hanestad's flip was the big news from this heat race but Streeter drove a solid race to get the win. Charlie Cagle won the second heat race. Cagle was very impressive during the two nights of racing at the Wingless Nationals. Joshua Tucker held off a charging Korey Lovell to win the third heat race. Petaluma track champion David Press won a tough heat race number four. He was followed closely Taylor Simas. Hanestad turned a 13.797 in qualifying to secure the top spot. Josh Vieira was second quick with a 13.979. Thirty-six cars earned qualifying times. |
