Results from Placerville Speedway - September 26, 2009
Sneep Win’s His Sixth Main and Nunes Win’s His Third Title
9/26/09
By
September 19th Gene Romero brought his West Coast Flattrack series to Placerville Speedway. The speedway surface was specially prepared for the flat track motorcycles.
The bottom was cut flat and the burm at the top was removed. These changes made the track super smooth, and rim riding the fastest way to get around the speedway on this evening.
#1 Doug Nunes went into the evening with a commanding 45 pt lead over #11x, of Jason Sneep. Sneep looked back on the successful season, and noted 2 DNF’s were an element of him not winning the championship. Sneep and Nunes both drive cars owned by Lonnie Lopez, but Sneep has his own team to prepare and set up the 11x.
The win was Sneeps 6th win of the season and he finished 2nd in the point’s championship.
Doug Nunes was Mr. Consistency all year, including 3 main event wins, to take his third championship in a row. He is now ready to move up to a midget, per our conversation.
Points were interesting at the start of the event, for the 5th, 6th, and 7th places in points. Joey Hoover was 5th, with 632 pts, Dakota Albright was 6th, with 629 pts, and Rick Holbrook was 7th, with 627 pts. The thought comes to mind, “What would it have been like if the Lites had qualified a couple of tracks”? The championship could have been decided at
Heat one saw #10 Brian Corso in his Specialty Construction, ART/Kawasaki, jump into the lead and never look back. #9 Chris Glass, in the Red Hawk Casino ART/Suzuki, battled with #6 Rick Holbrook in his G Flow Wings, ART/Kawasaki, as well as #1 Doug Nunes in his Superior Mfg, Lonnie Lopez, Bailey/Suzuki.
Heat two saw a rejuvenated #53c
The main event saw a different track surface than the heat races. Twenty eight sprint cars had run four heats and a B main, drying the track out and creating a burm in turns one and two.
#53c Cory Green started on the pole, with #6 Rick Holbrook along side. Green did not pick up the throttle as fast as Holbrook out of turn four, and Holbrook was called for jumping the start. Holbrook was sent to the back by the official.
At the green # 9 Chris Glass jumped into the lead followed by #10 Corso, #11x Sneep, and #1 Nunes. The leaders put on quite a show behind Glass , swapping places in lapped traffic.
Cory Green and 35jr Dakota Albright, in the Wayne Albright Special, ART/Kawasaki, battled it out for 5th and 6th. The red came out on lap 9, for a soft roll over by #11 John Taylor in the Lonnie Lopez, Bailey/Suzuki, in turn two.
On the restart Sneep jumped into second behind Glass, and two laps later took over the lead with a pass on the back stretch. Five laps later the yellow came out for #73 Craig Holstad in the Callen Pool Supply, EMC/Suzuki, with an engine failure.
On the restart Nunes tried his classic “Bonsai” move into turn one to take over second place, but Glass took it back on the back straight. Holbrook worked his way back to seventh.
Heat 1: Corso, Glass, Holbrook, Nunes, Holsted, Burton, Buffa, J. Hoover
Heat 2: Sneep, Green, Albright, R. Hoover, Taylor, Shurley, Goehring
Main: Sneep, Glass, Nunes, Corso, Albright, Green, Holbrook, J. Hoover, Shurley, Taylor, Buffa, Goehring, Burton, Holsted
Notes of interest:
Justin Burton returned to racing with a new engine.
Stuart Goehring also returned after a crash previously at Placerville.
According to MyLaps.com, Goehring turned the best lap of the main event on lap 14 with a speed of 82.419 and a time of 9.391. So much for all transponders.
Justin Burton, according to MyLaps.com, had the fasted lap in heat 1, with a speed of 63.179 and a time of 12.251. Jason Sneep had the fastest lap in heat 2 at 61.9 mph and a time of 12.504
All time track record at Placerville is 9.913 set by Tim Kaeding in 04, according to the web site. Midget Lite record is 12.691.
Pro-Motion Video is working on the total season DVD, of the Lites, now that the season has ended.
I enjoyed the season as the media director and writer of these reports for the Lite Division. I look forward to next season, which I am already working on.
Results from Bakersfield Speedway - September 12, 2009
Unofficial Taken from the CLS Website
1 ) 44 Brent Sexton
2 ) 18 Johnny Bluntach
3 ) 11x Jason Sneep (BCRA)
4 ) 1 Doug Nunes (BCRA)
5 ) 4 Bobby Bender
6 ) 61 Jason Bennett
7 ) 10 Brian Corso (BCRA)
8 ) 35 Dakota Albright (BCRA)
9 ) 9 Stuart Hielscher Jr.
10 ) 21 AJ Bender
11 ) 7 Tony Stark
12 ) 72 Tobey Sampson
13 ) 14 Jarrett Kramer
14 ) 11 Lonnie Lopez (BCRA)
15 ) 75 Richie Hoover (BCRA)
16 ) 6 - DNF Rick Holbrook (BCRA)
17 ) 20 - DNF Jan Ballard
18 ) 82 - DNF DAn Hillberg
19 ) 5 - DNF Stuart Hielscher Sr.
20 ) 50 - DNF Guy Maresch
Results from Marysville Raceway Park - September 5, 2009 Full Moon Has Nunes Howling and Scoring #3 Marysville Speedway Sept 5, 2009 By On the first lap of hot laps, Doug Nunes drove the #1 Lonnie Lopez, Betti Brite Cleaners to the infield as the rest of the cars completed the session. Doug must have been thinking, “is this my luck after two wins?” Back in the pits he feverishly checked out the engine, finding a cylinder that was not firing. A spark plug wire had come loose in the ignition and so he glued it back in. The glue worked and he was the class of the field under a full moon. Thirteen Lites checked into the pits, with the usual end of season worn cars missing. The price of gas and economy is also hurting car count, but the drivers that made it were charged. The first heat saw previous full moon winner, at Lonnie Lopez, getting in his own #11, followed Nunes to the front, and finished second. Brian Corso #10 in his Main Street Inn mount finished third and was looking to do battle in the main with Nunes and Sneep. Jason Sneep in the 11x, MoJo Lounge, Lonnie Lopez mount was anxious to work on main event win number 6, and showed strength in the second heat. Dakota Albright in the #35jr, Wayne Albright Special, started on the pole and showed the strength that has been coming on in the second half of the season, by leading the first three laps, until Sneep made his pass. Scotty Males, in the 53c of Cory Green, sponsored by Green Motorsports, looked real strong to finish third. Joey Hoover started on the front row of the main, looking at that Moon, with #88 Nate Bubba to his left. Rim riding Brian Corso knew the heat was on and took advantage of his second row starting position, to lead the first lap. Nunes and Sneep were on their way. Nunes made his pass for the lead on lap 5, as Corso and Sneep battled behind him. The two seasoned driver tried every move to stay in front or pass, with Corso taking second and Sneep third in a well fought race. Males was getting every bit of HP out to his 53c and had his eye on the leaders, climbing to fourth by lap 5. Then the odd failure of a right front flat put him out for the night. Albright finished fourth, and J Hoover watched the moon as victory slipped way, finishing fifth. Heat 1: Nunes, Lopez, Corso, J. Hoover, R. Hoover, Shurley, DNS Paulson Hear 2: Sneep, Albright, Males, Buffa, Glass, Holsted, Holbrook Main: Nunes, Corso, Sneep, Albright, J. Hoover, Shurley, Lopez, Buffa, R. Hoover, Glass, Males, Holbrook, Holsted Notes of Interest: Cory Green showed some great friendship by offering his car to Scotty Males, a buddy and team mate, since Scotty had not had an opportunity to race yet this year. The car was SMOKIN. Jeff Shurley, one of our new drivers, showed his experience from dwarf cars, and looked strong. Hard luck award of the night goes to Rick Holbrook, for loosing a chain in the heat and main. With the #11 seat open, car owner Lonnie Lopez jumped in and had a good time. Home town boy, Chris Glass, had the biggest rooting section with his family and relatives, in the grandstands. Dennis Parker and I shot video from each end of the track, so the results will be interesting. A conflict of dates will keep me from attending Bakersfield, so I wish all the Lites attending, to MASH ON IT, and put on a good show to our southern racers.
Results from Placerville Speedway - August 29, 2009 Nunes Smiles Again With His Second Win of the Season at 8/29/09 by Point’s leader and two time champion, Doug Nunes, exited his car after the main event with a big smile, and a feeling of relief. Although he is leading the points with consistent finishes, Doug had not visited the winners circle since opening night, April 25th at Marysville. The hard charger had looked at the nerf of winners, with 4 second place finishes, and one third in previous races. On this night the Superior Mfg., Lonnie Lopez, Bailey/Suzuki, #1 drove a wise race and capitalized on an open door when it presented itself. Richie Hoover, in his #75 Callen Pool Supply, Hoover Racing, ART/Suzuki, drove his best race of the season if not is career. His only mistake of the night came on lap 19 when he carried too much speed into turn three, and opened the door, sliding up the track in four. Nunes, the foxy driver he is, was right there to make the pass on the bottom. Pole starter Zack Beard in his #77, Olga’s Fried Chicken mount dropped into second place at the green and stayed in contention near the front for most of the race, finishing sixth. Beard is progressing fast as a third generation driver. His college aspirations are to be an air traffic controller, but right now he has a sharp eye on his racing career. Jason Sneep in his Lonnie Lopez, Mojo Lounge, Bailey/Suzuki, #11x, was looking for his sixth win of the season. Starting 7th he quickly moved through the field and was in third by lap five battling Rick Holbrook in his #6, G-Flow Wings, ART Kawasaki, who was running a strong second. The two battled until lap 12 when Sneep got by to take over second and then try to chase down The yellow flag came out on lap 18, for an incident on the track, producing another restart for Rick Holbrook was the class of the field in heat #1 leading from the front row and never looking back on a beautifully prepared track. His car showed none of the gremlins that have been bothering him in previous races. Richie Hoover also started on the front row but dropped back as the race progressed, so his performance in the main was a total surprise to all including him. Sneep showed his power and all knew he would be a factor in the main. Smiling Chris Glass, in his Red Hawk Casino, #9 ART Suzuki, finished third and was ready to dial in the car for the main. Nate Buffa #88, had his rookie flag removed, on this night, and started on the pole of heat race #2. Out side front row starter was Zack Beard, so two of the new young guns led the field to the green. Beard jumped into the lead and Buffa drove his line creating no problems for the freight train that was coming. Beard lead laps 1 and 2 before sixth starting Nunes took control. Pete Paulson in the twin #8 Red Hawk Casino, ART/Honda finished second. Heat #1: Holbrook, Sneep, Glass, R. Hoover, Taylor, Albright, Holsted, Sexton Heat #2: Nunes, Paulson, J., Notes of Interest: #10 Brian Corso, #53c Cory Green and #62 Marshall Sexton returned to racing, and we welcome them back. Nate Buffa had his rookie flag taken off and drove a solid race, finishing the heat and main Ken Hoover, Richie Hoover’s grandfather and owner of his car got a big hug when he exited the car after the main. Grandpa and Grandma were all smiles. Pete Paulson was plagued again by a fire red rear break rotor that caught fire and eliminated him from the main. Dakota Albright is now a freshman at Modesto JC in pursuit of his race car engineering degree and career. Craig Holsted is our new rookie in a Hoover Racing #73. Craig drove a solid race and stayed out of trouble finishing 9th in the main. I called the race to video for Skip Waters in the grand stand. The DVD is available from M&M Racing Videos (916) 942-9407 mandmvideo@att.net for $10 Dennis Parker and I continue to work on our BCRA Midget Lite season of racing DVD for the end of the year. Keep up those great interviews before and after the races. Next race Sept 5th at Marysville Speedway. All info at www.bcraracing.com
Results from Petaluma Speedway - August 15, 2009 At 8/15/09 By Only ten Midget Lites were on hand to compete on a beautifully prepared dirt surface at Jason Sneep driving the 11x, Lonnie Lopez, LaCasita Restaurant sponsored Bailey/ Suzuki, was looking for his sixth feature win on the 09 season. Points leader, Doug Nunes, in his #1, Betty Brite Cleaners sponsored Bailey/ Suzuki, was looking for his second win of the season, and to leave Petaluma with the points lead. Other main event winners, Chris Glass, in the Red Hawk Casino #9, Joey Hoover, in the Callen Pool Supply #76, and Dakota Albright in the Wayne Albright #35jr, were also looking for a second main event win. 07 BCRA Champion Justin Grant, driving the Lonnie Lopez, #11, in the Lites, and the Dave Thurston, NeverForgetOurFallen, RacingForTheTroups, #17 in the midget division spoiled the party, by winning the Lite main. I have been waiting for the speedway to post lap results on MyLaps.com, for my story per lap, and tonight (Wed) they posted the event, but left out the Lites. So I am writing my story from the video of the races, captured by my partner, camera man Dennis Parker. The program started with some laps in memory of a friend of mine, and long time friend of many, Rick Arata. Rick, owner of Storks Garage in Heat #1, was won by 11x Jason Sneep, who jumped from his second row starting position, led the first lap and never looked back. Heat #2, was won by #1 Doug Nunes. Pete Paulson driving the #8 Red Hawk Casino machine led the first two laps before Nunes took over for the win. Front row starting #75 Richie Hoover in his Callen Pool Supply, ART/Suzuki, jumped into the lead at the green followed by his brother Joey in his #76 Callen Pool Supply, Henchcraft/Suzuki. Eighth starting #11 Grant was up to third by lap two. Chris Glass #9, brought out the yellow on lap two when his chain came off, again, on the front straight. Richie Hoover was strong on the restart, but the powerful Sneep and Grant were on the move, passing him in turn 4 to take first and second place positions. Nunes was back in the pack, and finally got by Joey Hoover to move up with the leaders. Grant took command of the race, as Sneep and Nunes made every effort to catch him, but their effort was in vain. Grant had no problems with back markers, and cruised to the win. The excitement of the race was the fire red brake rotor of #8 Pete Paulson. Paulson did not know there was a red hot fire in his seat, as he pressed on with the race. I saw the black flag in Joe Ponti’s hand (the flag man) as the laps tic’d down. He used his long years of professional flagging judgment, in regards to the safety of the driver and finishing the event. The main finished with out having to use the black flag. Heat #1: Sneep, Grant, Albright, J. Hoover, Beard Heat #2: Nunes, Holbrook, Paulson, R. Hoover, Glass DNS Notes of interest: I announced both the Lites and Midgets from the announcing booth, and I have received compliments. Jason Sneep has dominated the main events with 5 wins, but a flip on 5/9 at Richie Hoover told me he got tired while leading, but I think he got tired because he was so excited to drive so dominant while in the lead. The Phantom midget writer, Robert Haugh, again avoided me in the pits, but I will catch up to him soon. MotoRacing newspaper is offering all racers, team members and fans, two free issues of the publication, in return for your address. See me in the pits at The Lites have a week off, and will return to Placerville on August 29th for race #11 of the 09 season. All information can be found at www.bcraracing.com
Justin Grant Jumps In The Mix With A Win
Results from Placerville Speedway - August 8, 2009 Sneep Nips Nunes At The Line For Win #5 8/8/09 By Placerville Speedway hosted race number nine of the BCRA Midget Lite season, and the speedway surface was again in excellent condition for tight racing. The night of racing followed the annual BCRA Hall of Fame Picnic, on the fairgrounds property, attended by many old time and current drivers, members and their families. Zack Beard #77, in the Pump Up Concrete Pumping car led the field to the green in the first heat. Outside front row starter, Joey Hoover #76 in the Callen Pool Supply car jumped into the lead in turn one and lead the first lap. Joey had dreams of his win on May 9th as he led the race. Fourth starting Jason Sneep, 11x in the Lonnie Lopez, MOJO Lounge, sponsored machine, took over the lead on lap 2 and never looked back, to win the first heat. Sneep turned the best lap of the race @ 12.887 on lap 4 with a speed of 60.107 mph. After a terrible night on 8/1, blowing an engine, #6 Rick Holbrook in his G Flow sponsored ART/Kawasaki, was hungry for success, and jumped into the lead of the second heat race. Dakota Albright #35jr in the Family Albright Special, gave chase but was never a factor, as Holbrook took the win. Fast lap of the race was set by, #1 Doug Nunes in a Betty Brite Cleaner car, with a lap time of 13.148 in lap 8, posting a speed of 58.868. The main event was set to be a real barn burner as #1 Doug Nunes, current point’s leader, told me he was tired of being second, and his team mate, #11x Jason Sneep was looking for win #5 for the season. Front row starting Rick Holbrook jumped into the lead at the green, just as he did in the heat race. Coming out of 4 he saw the red flag and he was going to have to do it again. Danny Parker #83, driving the Wayne Albright Special #2, did a Tommy tip over in turn one to bring out the red. Parker exited the track for inspection and then rejoined the race. On the restart, Holbrook again jumped into the lead, only to find the yellow thrown again causing another restart. Third time is a charm, as Holbrook again jumped into the lead at the green and led the first two laps battling Albright. The #8 of Pete Paulson, in a Red Hawk Casino sponsored entry spun in turn two, bringing out another yellow. Holbrook had a lot of practice this night of starting out front and again charged into turn one at the green, to lead laps 5 and 6. Antioch winner, #9 Chris Glass in the second Red Hawk Casino sponsored car charged into the lead on lap 6, and was battling Nunes to keep the lead. Nunes hungry for his second win of the season, pressed hard with side by racing and made the pass on lap 10 to take over the lead. Glass was pressing hard the next two laps too, and Mr excitement spun right in front of the field in turn 4 on lap 13, bringing out the yellow, as all cars got by, except for #77 Zack Beard, who had no place to go. Now the stage was set on the restart with #11x of Jason Sneep on #1 Nunes bumper looking for the green. The two top drivers battled, as the #11, driven by Justin Grant, looked on from third place. Excellent side by side, on the bottom, on the top rim riding went on for 5 intense laps, until lap 18 when Sneep made a pass to take the win by .377 seconds. Grant finished third and Rick Holbrook had a good night finishing fourth, after a night of restart tensions. Scott Kinny moved over to the #62 of Marshall Sexton for the night and finished fifth. Sneep had the fastest lap with a time of 13.188 on lap 15 with a speed of 58.690 mph Heat #1: Sneep, J. Hoover, Glass, Beard, Parker, Buffa, Kinney Heat #2: Holbrook, Albright, Nunes, Paulson, Kinney, Holsted, R. Hoover Notes of the Nite: Justin Grant jumped into the Lonnie Lopez #11 for the night along with his #17 Thurston ride in the midget division. Scott Kinney, regular driver of #11, moved over to the #62 of Marshall Sexton Ken Hoover brought out a new, old style car with a new driver, Craig Holsted Dakota Albright bicycled his car a couple of laps in turn one due to a left rear shock issue, that led to an oil pressure issue, killing his engine on the back straight in the main. He returned to the pits to discuss future shock selection with his crew chief, and car owner, his dad, Wayne Albright. Keep it in the family. lol Next race is August 15th at
Results from Placerville Speedway - August 1, 2009 The Track Comes to Sneep For His Fourth Lite Win By 8/1/09 The BCRA Midget Lites complimented the California Sprint Car Civil War Series at Sixteen Lites were in the pits, with some regulars missing due to a number of reasons Jason Sneep, #11x, driving the Mojo Lounge, Bailey/Suzuki, led from the pole in the first heat, leading all 8 laps. Pete Paulson, #8, in the Red Hawk Casino, ART/Honda, trailed Sneep until lap 4 when point’s leader, #1 Doug Nunes made a pass to chase down his team mate. Nunes in the, Western Speed and Fuel, Bailey/Suzuki, was determined to get a win at his favorite track. Third generation driver #77, Zack Beard, in the Fast Time Graphics, Henchcraft /Suzuki, finished third, as he improves every race. Joey Hoover, in his #76 Stringfields Electric, Henchcraft/Suzuki, had memories of his May 9th win, as he jumped into the lead from the pole of the second heat, and led all 8 laps. Chris Glass #9, driving the second Red Hawk Casino, ART/Suzuki entry, battled Brian Corso in his Fifth starting #11 Scott Kinney, in the R&D Works, Bailey/Suzuki, was on the move and moved into second place on lap 6, but There was not a full moon, as there was on May 9th, but the Lites had a bit of a problem getting a lap in at the start of the A Main. Zack Beard and #84 Stuart Goehring started on the front row, and did a great job of taking the green as the field was roaring behind them. Glass led the first lap followed by Beard. At the back of the pack, #75 Richie Hoover in his K&T Trucking, ART/Suzuki, and hard charger #11 Scott Kinney locked wheels at the flag stand, and both took a wild flip, bringing out the red and knocking them both out of the race. On the restart, Glass jumped into the lead followed by Nunes and Sneep. Nunes searched high and low to over take Glass, as Sneep and #35jr Dakota Albright in the Wayne Albright, ART/Kawasaki, kept the leaders in site. New drivers #13 Randy Rigdon, and #84 Stuart Goehring, were battling each other at the back of the pack, as they got together at the start finish line, also, and both took a wild ride flipping down the front straight, bringing out the red. All four drivers that flipped were ok. On the restart the top four positions were the same, with Corso passing J. Hoover on lap 9 for fifth, but Sneep was on the move now, as the car got better and better each lap, and passed Glass for the lead on lap 16. Glass and Nunes had a serious battle for second that had the crowd on its feet, with Nunes moving into second on lap 19, to finish there. The win is Jason Sneep’s fourth win of the season, and he gives a lot of credit to his crew chief Larry Lavattiata, for car set up, and Lonnie Lopez, for a quality car to drive. Sneep is currently third in championship points. Heat 1: Sneep, Nunes, Beard, Shurley, Goehring, Paulson Heat 2: J. Hoover, Kinney, Corso, Albright, Glass, R. Hoover, Manning, Rigdon Notes of the Nite: A new driver has joined the Lite Division. He is Jeff Shurley, from Rick Holbrook had the misfortune to blow an engine in hot laps, but he escaped the car as an oil fire started as he was trying to stop. A track fire crew member chased him down the front stretch with a fire extinguisher in hand. Cory Green also had gremlins in his engine, with a possible dropped valve. I asked Richie Hoover about his incident with Kinney on the first lap and his comment was “Two drivers in a hurry early in the race”. Several drivers and teams were interviewed by Pro Motion Video, in the pits after the races. All the flips and action was captured by camera man Dennis Parker, of Pro Motion Video. Next race will be Sat. August 8th, at
Results from Antioch Speedway - July 25, 2009 - Corrected By The hot delta wind greeted the BCRA Midget Lites to the pits of Antioch Speedway, and the racers were anxious to get back on the quarter mile, after a change of pace at Lemoore. Fourteen cars checked into the pits prior to going racing. I connected with John Myers to announce the Lites in the announcing booth, when the 21 of Tim Manning popped on the track to be our fifteenth competitor. Tim Jr said that they were working on the chain all day to get the car ready, and ran late. All racers know what it is like to run late getting ready for the races. Under the professional skills of Peggy Holbrook, the line up for the heat races were posted. Joey Hoover in the #76 M&M Photo mount, started on the pole of the first heat, looking for his second main event win of 09. His hope was short lived as he encountered mechanical problems and took it to the pits on lap 7. The #9 Red Hawk Casino sponsored car of Chris Glass took a commanding lead on lap one, remembering his previous win at The 11x of Jason Sneep was on the move also from his fifth starting position, sponsored by Lucky Buck Card Club. Rick Holbrook, driving his #6 G Flow Wing sponsored car, started on the pole of the second heat race and breezed to the win. Eleven cars took the green flag in the main with #75 Richie Hoover in the Bill Hopper painting, ART/Suzuki, on the pole and leading the pack into turn one. The red flag came out on lap 7 when the #10 Concrete Construction car of Brian Corso, and the #11 R&D works car of Scott Kinney got together on the back stretch. Corso tagged the wall coming out of turn two and lost his chain. He kept the car straight, slowing down the back stretch. Kinney was on Corso’s bumper when the chain came off, moved to the outside to pass, not knowing what the problem was, and ran out of room entering turn 3, and the two got together, ending both of their nights, in a competitive mode. Corso returned to the race later minus his top and from wings to gain points. On the restart R Hoover led lap 8, but his fuel pump started going bad and #11x, of Jason Sneep made the pass and never looked back. #1 Doug Nunes was all over Sneep as the laps ticked down. A back marker at the finish slowed Sneep a little and Nunes attempted to steal the win, but to no avail. #9 Glass finished third followed by #35 Dakota Albright, in the Wayne Albright Special. Heat 1: Glass, Nunes, Sneep, R. Hoover, Albright, Manning, J. Hoover Heat 2: Holbrook, Corso, Kinney, Parker, Green, Paulson, Beard Main: Sneep, Nunes, Glass, Albright, Beard, Parker, Corso, Holbrook, Manning, R. Hoover, Kinney, (76 and 53c did not start) Notes of interest: Zack Beard finished 5th in his #77 “Pump Up Concrete Pumping Service” car, for his best finish of the year and his Lite career. His crew chief (Cameron, his dad) was happy with the results. The second Wayne Albright car has changed the number to 83 from 35 (thank goodness for scoring) and Danny Parker was in the car for the night. New driver Tim Manning and his dad are struggling with their car for set up, but are getting advice from other racers. Brian Corso’s crew chief Dave has been helping them as well as Larry Lavattiata, crew chief on the 11x of race winner Jason Sneep. All new racers receive support from all the Lite teams. The Corso/Kinney incident happened at the feet of my video partner, Dennis Parker, as he video’d from the stand on the back straight. He did not capture it, since he was moving out of the way. Rick Holbrook lost his muffler in the main, but it did not sound like Chris Glass’s did at Marysville, but still took the black flag. Interviews of racers and teams followed the races and were captured. The three race push is on now, with two coming up at All info can be found at www.bcraracing.com and clicking on the Midget Lite selection.
Jason Sneep Scores Win #3 At
Results from Lemoore Raceway - July 11, 2009 Dakota Albright Becomes Main Event Winner #5 By July 11, 2009 Fifteen Midget Lites, from BCRA, and Cory Ballard, from Racers had mixed feelings about the bull ring, and speedway surface. The 600’s stayed from mid track down in their hot lap sessions. The top was unused when the Lites took to the track for the first time, and most ventured up the speedway, with limited success. During qualifying many cars rode right up to the wall in two and lost all momentum. The Lites have not had the opportunity to qualify in a long time, and now at a new speedway the results showed. Most drivers struggled with the bull ring, but not Zack Beard. I am working on a chance to qualify at Brian Corso #10, driving sideways down the front straight, carrying his speed from turn four, posted fast time of 13.661, followed by Roger Rose #11 at 13.718. The next 5 were, Jason Sneep #11x, Doug Nunes #1, Zack Beard #77, Dakota Albright #35jr, and Chad Juarez #17. It is good to see a mix of seasoned drivers with new drivers, qualifying at the top. Heat races were set up directly from qualifying. Fastest in heat one and slower in hear two. Corso led from the pole in heat one, but had his hands full with Nunes and Sneep on his nerfs. Several times he was challenged with side by side racing, but the rim rider prevailed at the checker flag by .28 seconds over Nunes and 1.63 over Sneep. The racing was tight and exciting. Steve Roza, driving the Wayne Albright #35 took the green flag in heat number two, and quickly distanced himself from the field. I am sure the Midget driver was feeling good and confident with his huge lead. Cory Ballard #20, had to start from the back of the field since he had a left rear flat during qualifying, and no time. As Roza breezed away, Ballard was working his way forward. By lap eight Ballard was challenging Roza for the lead. Coming to the line, Ballard dove to the inside of a turn four, and won by half a wheel, and .048 seconds, to the roar of the crowd. The invert for the main put the #8 Red Hawk Casino machine of Pete Paulson on the pole, next to #35 Steve Roza, driving the Wayne Albright entry number two. Right off the bat Jason Sneep 11x, looking for his third main event win in a row for the cars sponsor “Betty Brite Cleaners”, hit the wall in turn one and sapped off his rear nerf bar eliminating him. It was a sign that there were going to be several yellow flag periods during the race. On the restart #8 Paulson took the lead until the next yellow. I am sure the drivers were getting very frustrated with all the restarts and attrition of cars. At the end 7 cars were scored with a DNF. Seventh starting Dakota Albright, #35jr, in the Wayne Albright number 1 entry, fought his way to the top three in a strong performance battling #1 Nunes, and #10 Corso . The class of the field though, was sixth starting #20 Cory Ballard, from the Lighting Sprints. Cory had showed his cards in the heat race, and set up the car to run on all parts of the track. Albright would settle for second at the checker, 1.8 seconds behind Ballard and three seconds ahead of Paulson and the field. At the routine check at the scales, Ballard was 6 pounds light. Our new referee, Rod, looked at me in surprise and said “he’s to light”. Cory rolled the car off the scales, and back on a couple of times to make sure of the reading. Sure enough the car was too light, and we were off to Albright’s pit for pictures, and interviews. Dakota said he does not like to win this way, but a win is a win. He had an excellent race, and I would say his best performance of the season. Talking to Cory Ballard later, he was a great sportsman, saying all the yellow flags used up his fuel, and he knew it would be close. “We build them Light” was his quote. The non anger sportsmanship he showed, after being disqualified, was very enjoyable. Do to the speedway not posting lap scoring on the web and other difficulties in communication, I was not able to report the race, with accuracy lap by lap. Main Finish: Albright, Paulson, Glass, Corso, Nunes, Rosa, Beard, Juarez, R. Hoover, Green, J. Hoover, Holbrook, Manning, Rose, Sneep, Ballard Heat 1: Corso, Nunes, Sneep, Albright, Beard, Rose, Glass, Juarez Heat 2: Ballard, Rosa, Paulson, Holbrook, J. Hoover, R. Hoover, Green, Manning Notes of interest: Roger Rose was in the #11 of Lonnie Lopez for the night. He is usually in his 600 at Lemoore. Dennis Parker and I continued our pit interviews capturing Cory Ballard, Chad Juarez, Wayne Albright, and the top three of Dakota Albright, Pete Paulson, and Chris Glass. We also had a fun interview with retired drag racer Gary Scelzi, who has two sons in 600’s. He said that after 12yrs on the road it is time to enjoy his family, and where else but at the races. His kids are in first and second place in different divisions. I called the races from the announcing booth and met the track announcer, JJ. JJ’s real name is James Bransen, and he had a previous job of announcing for the Anaheim Ducks Ice Hockey Team. He is new to racing and wants to attend one of our shows at Placerville or Marysville. Dakota is the fifth different main event winner in 09 joining, Nunes, Glass, J. Hoover, and Sneep. Different winners show the competition is balanced in the Lite Division. Next race July 25th at Antioch. Videos will be available for purchase.
Results from Placerville Speedway - June 27, 2009 Sneep Dominates By 6/27/09 A scorching, 100 degree summer night brought 20 Midget Lites to the Jason Sneep, driving the Lonnie Lopez, Betty Brite Cleaners, Bailey/Suzuki made it look easy as he scored his second win of the 09 season. Jason gives the car set up credit to his crew chief, Larry Lavattiata. The dusty dry slick track took the exact set up to win. Richie Hoover, driving the K & T Trucking, ART/Suzuki, of Grand Parents Ken and Linda Hoover, jumped in the lead at the green flag and led lap number one, with dreams of a second Hoover Racing win at Dakota Albright, driving his #35jr ART/Kawasaki, had his own dreams of winning and lead laps 2 and 3. Fifth starting Sneep was up to second and on Dakota’s bumper, taking over the lead on lap 4, riding on the rim all the way around the oval. Rick Holbrook, driving his Henchcraft, G Flow Wings, ART Kawasaki, started on the pole but dropped back to fourth as the race started. By lap four he battled back to third in a hunt for the leaders. On lap five in a cluster of traffic entering turn one, the car experienced a fuel pick up problem, which sent cars looking for a way around him. Later in the race Holbrook experienced the same problem in turn four, and finished the race in 14th. Holbrook’s car had been strong in the heat race. Brian Corso, #10 driving his Main Street Inn, ART/Kawasaki, was hungry for his first win of the year, and raced to Sneeps bumper by lap 8. Corso made his flat foot move on lap 10 coming out of turn 4, and passed Sneep on the front straight. Unfortunately it did not stick, due to a yellow flag for a spin in turn 4. Corso went back to work on the green when the race restarted, but could not get close enough again, finishing second. Team mates Doug Nunes #1, and Scott Kinney #11, both driving Lonnie Lopez, Betty Brite Cleaners, Bailey Suzuki’s, moved into the third and fourth place positions on lap 5, and were riding the rim just like Sneep, and Corso, looking for any moisture in the track. Kenny got by Albright on lap 18 and finished third. Doug Hunting, took a ride in Rick Soto’s #30, Olmar Supply, ART/Yamaha for the night, and put the car to the test. Hunting started 16th and had the car up to 6th by lap 11, where he finished. Rookie driver Tim Manning, #21, driving his Yamaha/? (even they don’t know what the chassis is) is also improving. Manning has been getting car set up and other advice from fellow racers and crew chiefs, on a number of subjects. He is applying the knowledge and developing his driving skills. Manning started 17th and finished ninth. I even observed him rim riding in turns 3 and 4, which shows he has confidence in his pit professors. Heat races were won by (1) Kinney and (2) Sneep. In the first heat Kinney asked Corso to show him the fast way around the speedway, and Corso did as he rode the rim, passing Albright on lap 3. Corso then moved down to the center of the track, searching for speed, and Kenny passed him down the front straight on lap 6 to take the win. I asked Brian about it in the pits later, and he smiled saying “what was I thinking?” Notes: Marshall Sexton in his #62, was back driving his ART/Kawasaki. Danny Parker took over the #35 Wayne Albright, ART Suzuki for the evening. Zack Beard #77 driving the Olga’s Fried Chicken, Henchcraft/Suzuki had some gremlin problems for the night in what I believe is a new car. Chris Glass #9 in the Red Hawk Casino, ART Honda never got a good grip on the dusty surface and exited the main due to the two spin rule. Sister car driven by Pete Paulson #8, with a similar set up, finished 12th. Main: Sneep, Corso, Kinney, Albright, Nunes, Hunting, Green, J. Hoover, Manning, Goehring, Sexton, Paulson, Beard, Holbrook, Buffa, Glass, Parker, R. Hoover Heat #1: Kinney, Corso, Nunes, Albright, Paulson, Parker, Green, Manning, Beard Hear #2: Sneep, Holbrook, J. Hoover, Sexton, Glass, R. Hoover, Goehring, Buffa, Hunting Next race is scheduled for July 11 @ Lemoore Raceway in Lemoore. For all Midget Lite information visit www.bcraracing.com
Results from Marysville Raceway Park - June 13, 2009
Sneep Becomes Fourth Main Event Winner of 09
By
Race number four of the BCRA Midget Lite 09 season produced a fourth different winner. Jason Sneep driving the #11x, Betty Brite Cleaners, Lonnie Lopez, Bailey/Suzuki, shook off the problems of last week at
Sneep joined Nunes, J. Hoover, and Glass as a main event winner in the 09 season. The racing at Marysville had few yellow flags to regroup the field, but produced races with in the main to make it exciting and competitive.
Rick Holbrook driving his #6, G Flow Wings, ART/Kawasaki, led the field into turn one starting from the pole position, and led the first lap, followed by Sneep. On the back stretch of lap two, Sneep and Holbrook made contact, forcing Holbrook to retire, and Sneep breezed on to the win.
Joey Hoover driving the #76, Callen Pool Supply, Henchcraft/Suzuki, held the second position, driving his smooth style, as Brian Corso in his
Chris Glass and team mate Pete Paulson in the #9 and #8 Red Hawk Casino entries battled each other through out the whole race with Paulson getting the nod taking fourth place.
Eighth starting Cory Green #53c, in the Green Motorsports, ART/Honda, won the race of the new drivers, battling Zach Beard #77, in the Bob Rosa Motorsports, Henchcraft / Suzuki most of the race, finishing fifth.
Zack Beard is improving every race along with new comer Tim Manning #21 driving his own car. Jared Little, from
Engine failures for the event were higher than normal, as Randy Ridgon #13 and Justin Burton #25 blew engines. David Engstrom #5, had a new engine but could not get it to fire. Richie Hoover #75 was leading his heat race, from the pole when the chain broke on lap two breaking the shifter lever also, ending his night of racing.
Regulars, Rick Soto #30, Marshall Sexton #62, and Dakota Albright #35jr., were not in attendance.
Heat races were won by #6 Holbrook and #11x Sneep.
Main: #11x Sneep, #10 Corso, #1 Nunes, #8 Paulson, #53c Green, #21 Manning,
#77 Beard, , #9 Glass #76 J. Hoover, #6 Holbrook , #11 Little
Heat Race #1: 11x Sneep, #1 Nunes, #8 Paulson, #11 Little, #53c Green, #77 Beard,
#21 Manning
Heat Race #2: #6 Holbrook, #10 B. Corso, #76 J Hoover, #9 Glass, #75 R Hoover,
#13 Rigdon
Next race will be June 27th @
Lite Division Media Director
Results from Antioch Speedway - June 6, 2009 Glass Brings Red Hawk Casino It’s First Win June 6th 2009 By Second yr driver Zack Beard driving the Power Up Concrete Pumping #77 brought the main event field to the green flag, with his heart pumping, since it was his first time being in that position. Second generation driver, son of Cameron Beard, had listened to head referee, Peggy Holbrook’s words of advice, to hold your line going into turn one with the thunder coming behind you.
Zack’s car bogged at the start, and he drove with the words of advice, and the freight train rushed by with out an incident.
Dakota Albright driving his ART/Kawasaki #35jr jumped into the lead going into turn one, and long forgot his misfortune from
Fourth starting, Jason Sneep, driving the Lonnie Lopez #11x, Bailey/Suzuki, also forgot his air time at Placerville, and blasted into the lead on 3, with Albright staying on his bumper, followed by fifth starting Glass.
The new changes in the racing surface provided the racers with several different lines of racing not the same old one groove racing. All the drivers were searching as the race progressed.
Sneep pulled away from the field and it looked like he would prevail easily. Chris Glass driving the Red Hawk Casino #9 had other ideas, as he kept Sneep in site and worked the whole speedway surface to catch Sneep. His efforts cashed in on lap 13 as he got around Sneep and held on for the win. Glass told me after the race that his ART/Suzuki just got faster lap after lap, and the thrill of victory came his way.
Albright drove the best race of his short 3yr career to finish third, followed by Paulson, Corso, R. Hoover, Manning, Nunes, Soto, Holbrook, J Hoover, Rogers, Beard, Buffa.
Notes
Cory Green driving his Green Motorsports ART/Honda pulled off the track before the green flag, of the main event, with a fuel relay switch problem, after a strong second place finish in the heat race.
Brian Corso #10 driving his ART/
Doug Nunes #1 experienced a clutch failure at the end of the main, after breezing to a first heat win.
Tim Manning #21 from Rescue, came from shifter kart experience, and is a rookie this season in the Lite division. His consistent finishes have him a surprising 5th place in the season point’s standings. Consistency is paying off.
Heat races were won by #1 Nunes and #11x Sneep
Main Finish: Glass, Sneep, Albright, Paulson, Corso, R
Heat #1: Nunes, Paulson, Holbrook, Beard, Soto, J
Heat #2: Sneep, Green, Glass, Albright, Buffa, Rogers, Corso
Lite Interest:
Midget Lite drivers were interviewed in the pits by Pro-Motion Video prior to racing.
John Meyers, announcer and manager of Antioch Speedway, allowed me to join him in the announcer’s booth, and call the Lite races. I look forward to returning to
Next race June 13th at Marysville Speedway
Results from Placerville Speedway - May 9, 2009
Full Moon Has
At
By Steve Hazelton
Twenty Midget Lites were in the pits for their first appearance at Placerville Speedway for the 09 season. The high red clay banks were groomed for an exciting night and the weather was balmy.
Nineteen cars took the green flag with Joey Hoover #76 on the pole and Rick Holbrook #6 on the outside of the front row. Holbrook used all the power from his new engine and took the lead into turn one and down the back stretch with Hoover in tow, followed by Marshall Sexton #62, Jason Sneep 11x, and Pete Paulson #8. Tenth starting, reigning champion Doug Nunes #1 was on the move also.
All action came to a sudden halt as 11th starting Scott Kinney #11, jumped a rear wheel of a car entering turn one, and got on his head, bringing out the first red flag of the race, on lap one. Kinney climbed from the wreck disappointed, and headed back to the pits for his sprint car ride, looking for better luck in that division. On the same lap in turn 4, Kevin Hunter #35 got on his head, walking away ok, but ending his night.
A complete restart saw Holbrook again jump into the lead at the green flag with
Jason Sneep brought out the second red flag, on lap 5, taking a wild ride in turn one. Sneep was passing a back marker on the outside of turn one, made contact and the car, and launched up the steep banking, catching some air before it landed on its wing. After a few tense moments, Jason exited ok.
Holbrook’s lead had disappeared as he lined up for the single file restart. Catching lapped traffic on the back stretch, on lap 7, Hoover went low and Holbrook went high passing a back marker, giving Hoover the lead. Joey Hoover was able to drive the car any place on the track, and it was the key to his success of the night. Car set up and the full moon went
Dakota Albright #35jr, in his new car was moving forward, and Corso was recovering from his restart back in the pack. Albright brought out the yellow in lap 12 as his car came to a stop on the back stretch. Brian Corso had a car in front of him, as he drove down the back stretch, and did not see Albright until the last fraction of a second, tried to avoid the stopped car, but crashed into the back to Albright, bringing out the red flag.
The starting field was down to twelve as the race restarted on lap 13.
At the checker,
Joey had the car of the night, which had the power, but mostly had the balance to drive the car where ever he wanted.
Upon completion of the event the
Finish: #76 J,
#53c Green, #30 Soto, #5a Alton, #21 Manning, #88 Buffa, #75 R. Hoover, #10 Corso, #35jr Albright, #77 Beard, #84 Goehring, 11x Sneep, #35 Hunter, #11 Kinney
Heat Race #1
Holbrook started his night out front, with a pole position in the first heat. Rick Soto #30, outside front row, bogged at the start and the field charged by, with 6th starting Nunes moving into second. The top two cars swapped positions on lap 5 and finished in that order.
Finish: #1 Nunes, #6 Holbrook, #8 Paulson, #62 Sexton, #11x Sneep, #30 Soto, #77 Beard, #84 Goehring, #21 Manning, #5a Alton
Heat Race #2
The
Finish: #76 J.
Pit Notes: Lonnie Alton, from Cameron Park joined the group driving his Ford Focus with the permission of Rich Holbrook. This is the first year in a Focus for Lonnie, but he has previous racing experience in formula 440 road racing.
The #88 was also a new car in the pits, driven by Nathan Buffa from
Second generation driver Zack Beard #77, was making his 09 debut with his dad, Cameron as his crew chief.
Next race of the 09 season will be June 6th at Antioch Speedway.
A Super Night at Marysville Speedway
By Steve Hazelton
Midget Lite drivers and teams were anxious the get the season started after a rain out at
Twenty Lites were in the pits, with old and new faces. 08 Midget Lite champion, Doug Nunes on hand with a new #1 on his Lonnie Lopez owned lite. Lonnie again fielded 3 cars, with Justin Grant, 07 BCRA Midget Champion, in his 11 car. Jason Sneep is in his 11x car, being crew chiefed by Larry Lavattiata. Lonnie told me he is building another car too, for this season. A very busy guy.
Talked to Justin Grant in the pits before the races and asked him if he was going to be like the Sprint Cup Drivers racing in the Nationwide series, when the midgets are not running? He just smiled. Justin has plans to go back east during the year and drive in the Poweri series, for Don Moore, a car owner he met at the chili bowl.
Jim Abreu, our Midget Lite photographer, now has two grandsons competing in the lite division. Justin Burton competed last year in the #25, as a rookie, and now Jim’s other grandson, Randy Rigdon Jr will be competing as a rookie in the #13. Randy had previous stock car racing experience. They are both guaranteed great photo’s from their proud Grand Father.
Other new faces and cars in the pits were Kevin Hunter, from
Pete Paulson teamed with Chris Glass (#9) in the sister #8 car. Pete is from
Kyle Victorino was another new face in the pits, driving for
#21 Tim Manning was the other new Lite rookie that I need to catch up to.
Heat #1, Put the Midget Lite racing equipment to test, for the first time in 09.
David Engstrom #5 on the pole, scratched on a pace lap due to a broken chain, moving the #11 car of Justin Grant to the pole, with Nunes right behind him.
At the green flag the race was on between team mates Grant and Nunes. Grant felt very comfortable and the 07 BCRA champion breezed to the win. 08 main event winner Marshall Sexton #62, started on the outside pole and ran third until lap 4, when hooked up local boy, Chris Glass #9, made a pass and finished third. Sexton, was followed by Joey Hoover #76, Kevin Hunter #35, and Pete Paulson #9
Heat #2 Rick Soto #30 a rookie in 08, lead the field to the flag for the first time in his Midget Lite career. Jason Sneep, #11x, another 08 main event winner, wasted no time taking the lead out of turn two down the back stretch, and never looked back. Forth starting Brian Corso, #10, another main event winner in 08, moved into second on lap three to finish in that position. Cory Green, #53c, put in a strong performance to finish third, followed by Kyle Victorino #74.
Main Event: Fourteen cars took the green flag on a heavy, fast and smooth speedway surface, with home town Marysville driver Chris Glass on the pole. Glass bolted from the field, with memories of a win last year at his home town track, but the race was stopped as soon as he got his blood pressure up, on the first lap.
The red flag came out for Kyle Victorino, and Kyle was transported to the local hospital. The good news is that Kyle was released from the hospital late Sat night.
The drivers had about a half hr to think of their race plan under the red flag condition, sitting in their cars, and I am sure they were anxious to get started again.
At the green Glass again took control of the race, with a strong Kevin Hunter pacing himself in second. The race behind the front two was getting hot as, sixth starting Corso, eighth starting Nunes, and tenth starting Grant, were on the move. Glass stayed on the bottom as Corso worked the top on a beautiful speedway surface that was super smooth and tacky.
On lap 8, Corso tried the neverlift move in turn 3 and 4, and it looked like old time
Lap eleven was the final pass for the lead, as 08 champion Nunes took the lead, followed by Grant, Corso, Glass, Sneep, Hunter, and Paulson.
If this opening day is any indication of what the BCRA Midget Lite racing will be like, in 09, we are in for an exciting season. The cars that broke will fix their gremlins, and add to the mix.
This is going to be an exciting season for the BCRA Midget Lite division.
Potential sponsors can see that there is room for their business to be displayed on the award sign that is used at ever race. Sign up as a sponsor and get internet exposure.
Heat 1: Grant, Nunes, Paulson, Sexton, J. Hoover, Hunter, Glass, R. Hoover
Heat 2: Sneep, Corso, Green, Victorino,