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Gonderman Grabs the Win |
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NCMA Sprints - Chowchilla Speedway Chowchilla, CA - June 20, 2009 Antioch’s Dan Gonderman seems to hit it “right on” at short dirt tracks around the valley, and he did it again tonight. Driving Sam Davies yellow #99 he had an evening filled with lots of fun for him and the boisterous Chowchilla crowd. Rob Hammond in the Hale Lumber #17H started off the first heat leading the way, Hammond who has been concentrating on the pavement this season, was going into the second lap and slapped the wall out of turn two, making it a short evening. What a comedown for the winner of last week’s race at Madera Speedway. David Goodwill, Napa’s well known sprint racer wrapped up the heat in the front. Chowchilla’s own Christian Hickman took the green and wound up at the checkered in the front of the second heat. Rookie Jeff Banbury towed from Elk Grove to try it for the first time and couldn’t get the car to fire off. He did some hot laps, looked pretty good, and tapped the wall slightly. He said, “I don’t think it caused any problems.” Better luck next time, Jeff. Kris Koontz and Gonderman led the Trophy Dash with Hickman and Goodwill tucked right in behind them. Didn’t take Gonderman long and he owned the Dash. Goodwill (experience) and Hickman (exuberance) brought the pack to the go flag for the Main Event. Goodwill got the jump for the first lap, but Denny Burrell who hasn’t hit the dirt in several years brought the first caution out, caused no harm and away they went. Goodwill was still leading the way but Koontz was right behind him. Patterson’s Steve Amador was running third. Another spinout caution and Gonderman took third. Just a few more laps and Gonderman was behind Goodwill. Koontz, of Coarse Gold, was hanging in at third. Hickman was doing well in fourth but some white smoke was coming off his sprinter. Several go rounds and Hickman was heading for the pits. The new “Smoke”? Watch for this fourteen year old!! Gonderman had been working this whole race to overcome Goodwill and it took him more than half of it to achieve his goal. He made it look easy and comfortable when he finally got there. The original “Surfer Dude” driver, he looks laid back and having fun behind the wheel. He always wears a smile. Tonight the Main event was his. Goodwill didn’t give up another spot and the NAPA Auto Parts 3G finished in second. The surprise of the evening was the Rookie kid in the 20X owned by the LaLivertes, Ryan Diatte from Salinas, was put in the car for his first sprint ride. Granted he was a Dwarf Car Champion last year, but he knew what he was doing and did it well to end third in his first sprint car race. NCMA Sprints Select Series will be playing in the dirt next Friday night at Ocean Speedway where the weather is cool and the racing is hot! Check OceanSpeedway.com for further information and escape the valley heat for the evening.” |
