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Troy Foulger a double winner at Antioch Speedway on Soares Memorial Night

June 7, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Troy Foulger #49 picked up the big win in the Soares Memorial IMCA Modified race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Racing resumes Friday and Saturday night with annual Western States Dwarf Car Nationals

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…June 3…Troy Foulger won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The Oakley driver is the current point leader in the Bowers Motorsports entry, and this was his first win of the season. He is also in the hunt for an unprecedented sixth division championship.

Looking for a second-straight win, IMCA National rookie point leader Andrew Pearce of Oakley set the early pace, but a Turn 4 pass on the second lap put Foulger into the lead. Foulger led Pearce through a pair of yellow flags in the first 12 laps as Buddy Kniss of Oakley ran third. Martinez drivers Nick DeCarlo and Anthony Slaney dueled fiercely for the fourth position before Slaney  moved ahead. Slaney got around Kniss for third with a Turn 4 pass on Lap 15. Foulger had a good lead on Pearce and picked up the impressive win. Slaney ended up third ahead of DeCarlo and Randy Shafer a Vacaville.

Point leader Troy Foulger #49 won his third IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Later, Foulger came back and won his third 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Rob Gallaher of San Jose led early with Foulger making an inside pass on Travis Dutra of Concord on Lap 2 to take second. Foulger went low in Turn 4 on the third lap to grab the lead front Gallaher. From there, he pulled away in the non-stop affair to a straightaway advantage. Dutra went inside down the front stretch on Lap 4 to grab second. Gallaher battled with Scott Foster of Oakley for the third spot until Foster took the position on Lap 9. Foulger won ahead of Dutra, Foster, Gallaher and Jason Robles of Rio Vista.

Highly decorated Placerville and Marysville champion Matt Michelli #96 won the Xtreme Late Model Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Live Oak’s Matt Michelli won the 20 lap Xtreme Late Model Main Event. Micheli is a 10-time champion across multiple divisions at tracks in Placerville, Marysville and Chico.

Paul Guglielmoni of Vacaville charged into the lead at the start ahead of Les Friend of Galt. Micheli moved into second on Lap 2 and made a low pass in Turn 2 of the fifth lap to take the lead from Guglielmoni. On the seventh lap, Rod Oliver of Yuba City slipped past Guglielmoni for second, and a yellow flag waved moments later. Micheli continued to lead Oliver on the restart, but reigning  champion Dan Brown Jr of Lincoln made a Turn 2 pass on Lap 12 to take second. Clark Guglielmoni of Vacaville quickly settled into third. Micheli set a good pace In the closing laps and picked up the victory ahead of Brown, Guglielmoni, Oliver and Chester Kniss of Antioch.

Jason Ryan Jr #52 picked up his second IMCA Sport Modified feature to take the point lead. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was his second win of the season as moved into the point lead. Ryan bolted into the immediate lead ahead of Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley and Kelly Campanile of Oakley. Pacheco’s Kenny Shrader slipped past Campanile for third on the sixth lap and set his sights on Ryan and Mallet. Following a yellow flag on Lap 8 for Tyler Browne, Ryan continued to lead Mallet and Shrader on the restart. Ryan ran a smooth race for the remaining distance and collected the victory. Mallet settled for second ahead of Shrader, Campanile and Chuck Golden of Pittsburg.

Dwarf Car star Danny Wagner #11 won the Hobby Stock feature race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Danny Wagner won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. This wrapped up a clean sweep of Dash, heat and and feature race for the Bay Point driver. Wagner is a three-time Dwarf Car champion.

Chris Long of Antioch bolted into the early lead ahead of Colten Haney of Brentwood. Wagner slipped into second on the third lap with Jared Baugh Pittsburgh running in third. Wagner made an inside pass on Lap 6 to take the lead from Long. Baugh gained second on the Lap 7 restart, but he spun in Turn 4 on the 11th lap, collecting Long. Wagner led Les Friend of Galt on the restart, but Friend was involved in a tangle on the 13th lap. At that point, Wagner led Kevin Brown of Oakley and Ken Johns of Antioch. Aidan Ponciano of Oakley moved into third on Lap 16 and dueled Brown over the remaining laps. Wagner went on to victory ahead of Brown, Ponciano, Baugh and Johns.

DJ Saenz #72 won the Mini Late Model Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

DJ Saenz of Manteca won the 15 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. This race was scheduled two days prior. Manteca’s Mitch Enos took the early lead over Saenz and Dan Zuger of San Jose. Zuger headed for the infield on the seventh lap, and a Lap 9 pass gained Saenz the lead from Enos. Enos kept it close, but Saenz prevailed in the end. Cayden Foster ended up third with Zuger rounding out the finishing order.

Racing resumes this Friday and Saturday night with the annual Western States Dwarf Car Nationals, hosted by the local Delta Dwarf Car group. Some of the best drivers on the West Coast will be there. On Friday, the Wingless Spec Sprints and IMCA Stock Cars will be competing. Saturday night will also include the IMCA Modifieds, Tri State Pro Stocks and Print Club Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – June 3, 2023

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Troy Foulger, Buddy Kniss. Main Event (20 laps)-Troy Foulger, Andrew Pearce, Anthony Slaney, Nick DeCarlo, Randy Shafer, Buddy Kniss, Chris Sieweke, Bobby Motts Jr, Dave Duste Jr, Tim Yeager Jr.

Xtreme Late Models

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Anthony Slaney, Clark Guglielmoni. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt Micheli, Dan Brown Jr, Clark Guglielmoni, Rod Oliver, Chester Kniss, Shawn DeForest, Les Friend, Justin Yeager, Wayne Trimble, Paul Guglielmoni.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tyler Browne, Kenny Shrader. Main Event (20 laps)-Jason Ryan Jr, Jacob Mallet Jr, Kenny Shrader, Kelly Campanile, Chuck Golden, Trevor Clymens, Joseph Pato, Tyler Browne, Mark Garner, Tommy Clymens Jr.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Wagner, Chris Long, Jared Baugh, Colten Haney. B Main (12 laps)-James Thomson, Bobby Gallaher, Michaela Taylor. Main Event (20 lap)- Danny Wagner, Kevin Brown, Aidan Ponciano, Jared Baugh, Ken Johns, James Thomson, Jon Haney, Colten Haney, Jess Paladino, Trevor Clymens.

IMCA Stock Car

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Troy Foulger. Main Event (20 laps)-Troy Foulger, Travis Dutra, Scott Foster, Rob Gallaher, Jason Robles, Kenneth Robles, Nick DeCarlo DNS.

California Sharp Mini Late Models

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Mitch Enos. Main Event (15 laps)-DJ Saenz, Mitch Enos, Cayden Foster, Dan Zuger.

 

 

Filed Under: East County, News, Sports

Keldsen, Tuttle, Pearce, Mallet, Johns, Foulger Antioch Speedway Fair time winners 

May 23, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

DJ Keldsen #01 returned for a thrilling Figure 8 victory. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…May 19-20…Auto racing returned to the Contra Costa County Fair in a big way with two nights of racing. The Saturday night Figure 8 was a Main attraction. It was the first of six scheduled events for the popular race, and the win went to DJ Keldsen of Newman.

Keldsen had the outside front row for the Figure 8 race, and he charged into the lead at the start ahead of Chester Kniss of Antioch and Jimmy Robbins of Concord. Both Robbins and Dakota Keldsen of Watsonville slipped past Kniss for second and third on the fourth lap. A close battle developed between Robbins and Dakota Keldsen with Robbins taking a wild ride into the infield on Lap 5 and falling back a couple of positions. Angela Brown of Antioch gained third at that point, but she and Dakota Keldsen had contact on Lap 10 as Kniss and Robbins moved into second and third. To that point, there had been plenty of close calls in the X, but it turned into a battle at the front for the win between DJ Keldsen and Kniss. When the checkered flag flew, Keldsen prevailed ahead of Kniss, Robbins, Dakota Keldsen and Tommy Clymens Jr of Oakley.

Jacob Tuttle drove the Ted Finkenbinder #3 car to a Wingless Spec Sprint win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Piloting one of the two Ted Finkenbinder owned entries, Jacob Tuttle of Oakley prevailed in the 25 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Tuttle had the pole and charged into lead over WMR Midgets champion Blake Bower of Brentwood, who was also in a Finkenbinder car. Kevin Box of Bethel Island settled into an early third with reigning champion Shannon Newton of Elk Grove starting to pressure him for the position. The track was a bit dry with drivers preferring the lower line. Newton had just overtaken Box for the third position on Lap 16 when he began to smoke and lost power for the only yellow flag on Lap 17. Tuttle continued to lead Bower and Box on the restart, and they finished in that order as Jarrett Soares of Gilroy and James East of Oakley rounded out the Top 5.

National IMCA Rookie point leader Andrew Pearce #15p won the IMCA Modified feature. Photo by Katrina Kniss

IMCA National rookie point leader Andrew Pearce of Oakley won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was his first win of the season. Anthony Slaney of Martinez set the early pace ahead of Buddy Kniss of Oakley and Pearce. Pearce slipped underneath Kniss in Turn 4 on Lap 5 to gain second and set his sights on Slaney. By the midpoint of the race, there was a battle at the head of the pack. Pearce finally made an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 16 to grab the lead, and he brought it home to victory from there. Slaney settled for second ahead of Kniss, Troy Foulger of Oakley and Timothy Allerdings of Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Troy Foulger #49 picked up another IMCA Stock Car Main Event win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Troy Foulger of Oakley won the 25 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. It was Jason Robles of Rio Vista taking the early lead, but Foulger slipped underneath him in Turn 4 on Lap 2 to gain command. As Foulger began to pull away, Jason Robles was being challenged by son Kenneth for the second spot. The race for second place saw a back-and-forth battle during the late stages. Kenneth went low in Turn 4 to pass his father for the spot on Lap 19, but his father regained the position in Turn 2 a lap later. It was Foulger winning ahead of Jason Robles, Kenneth Robles, Scott Foster of Antioch and Travis Dutra of Concord.

Ken Johns #32 won his first Hobby Stock Main Event of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Ken Johns of Antioch picked up his first Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event win of the season. The race was led early by third-generation racer Colten Haney of Brentwood with Johns in pursuit. They ran that way until Johns found an opening low in Turn 2 on the seventh lap to take over. Jared Baugh of Pittsburgh followed Johns into second. The race was run in rapid fashion on a hooked up racing surface. The leaders lapped several slower cars before a yellow flag waved on Lap 17. This didn’t stop Johns as he resumed command on the restart and went on to victory ahead of Baugh, Haney, Grayson Baca of Brentwood and Kevin Brown of Oakley.

Reigning State champion Jacob Mallet Jr #127 picked up his first IMCA Sport Modified win of the year. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Reigning IMCA Sport Modified State champion Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley collected the win in the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Mallet had the pole position and raced into the early lead ahead of Mark Garner of Antioch. However, Joseph Pato of Oakley went low in Turn 4 on the third lap to take second. A yellow flag waved on Lap 3 for Trevor Clymens of Brentwood in Turn 4. Mallet continued to lead the restart ahead of Pato and Matt Pitts of Rodeo. As the lead duo pulled away from the pack, Pitts had his hands full in a close battle for third. Kenny Shrader at Pacheco got by with a low pass in Turn 2 on Lap 14. Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley found his way into fourth late, but Mallet drove a flawless race to collect the win. Pato settled for a career best second, followed by Shrader, Ryan and Garner .

The racetrack on Saturday for the Hobby Stocks, Figure 8 and Sport Modifieds was hooked up and fast, while the Friday surface for the Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars was dry. The crew worked very hard to produce the fast-racing conditions on Saturday.

After a week off, the show returns on June 3rd. The Soares Memorial race is on the schedule, featuring the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Xtreme Limited Late Models and Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – May 19 & 20, 2023

Friday

Wingless Spec Sprints

FT Jacob Tuttle 15.715. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jacob Tuttle, Blake Bower. Main Event (25 laps)-Jacob Tuttle, Blake Bower, Kevin Box, Jarrett Soares, James East, Anthony Bruno, Nathan Johnson, MacKenzie Newton, Steve Maionchi, Shannon Newton.

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Anthony Slaney. Main Event (20 laps)-Andrew Pearce, Anthony Slaney, Buddy Kniss, Troy Foulger, Timothy Allerdings, Tim Balding, Jeff Browne, Eric Berendsen.

IMCA Stock Car

Heat winner (8 laps)-Jason Robles. Main Event (25 laps)-Troy Foulger, Jason Robles, Kenneth Robles, Scott Foster, Travis Dutra, Jeff Bentancourt, Kimo Oreta.

Saturday

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (20 laps)-Dylan Connolly, Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 laps)-Jacob Mallet Jr, Joseph Pato, Kenny Shrader, Jason Ryan Jr, Mark Garner, Matt Pitts, Tom Fraser, Trevor Clymens, Billy Garner, Kelly Campanile.

Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-James Graessle, Grayson Baca, Jared Baugh. Main Event (20 laps)-Ken Johns, Jared Baugh, Colten Haney, Grayson Baca, Kevin Brown, Jake Archibald, Taylor DeCarlo, Jess Paladino, Michaela Taylor, Rob Waldrop.

Figure 8

Main Event (15 laps)-DJ Keldsen, Chester Kniss, Jimmy Robbins, Dakota Keldsen, Tommy Clymens Jr, Angela Brown, Michaela Taylor, Mike Conley Jr, James Graessle, Dennis Keldsen.

Filed Under: East County, Sports

Antioch Speedway: Hudson wins Larry Damitz Memorial

May 16, 2023 By Publisher 1 Comment

Oregon Pro Stock champion Jeffrey Hudson #88 won the Larry Damitz Memorial race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Cooper, Ryan, Hannagan other winners

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…May 13…Jeffrey Hudson of Keno, Oregon picked up the win in the 25 lap Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the annual Larry Damitz Memorial race, paying tribute to the man who raced for over 60 years and was a champion at 87 years old. Hudson collected $1,000 for his effort along with a championship belt.

Hudson drew the pole for the Main Event and charged into the lead at the start ahead of Antioch’s Buddy Kniss. Following a Lap 2 yellow flag, Richard Brace Jr of Grass Valley took up pursuit of Hudson.  The third yellow of the race flew on Lap 11 for Peter Coberly of Atwater in Turn 4. As Hudson continued to lead Brace, Chris Smith of Coalinga settled into third.

On the 13th lap, Smith slipped past Brace on the front stretch to take second. Recent Placerville winner Travis White of Fallon, Nevada put the moves on Brace for third on the 16th circuit. Hudson drove a flawless race as he lapped slower cars down the stretch and picked up the win ahead of Smith, White, Brace and 2021 series champion Justin Crockett of Arroyo Grande.

Series organizer Brian Cooper #17c beat an all atar lineup in the West Coast Hobby Stock Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Brian Cooper of Yuba City scored the victory in the 25 lap West Coast Hobby Stock Main Event. Cooper, who is a past IMCA Sport Modified State champion, organized this series with Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City. Drivers from Hobby Stock divisions throughout the state gathered at Antioch with a field of 48 cars in competition.

As Cooper started back in the third row, Galt’s Clarence Holbrook III bolted into the early lead ahead of Bobby Motts Jr of San Pablo. An inside pass on the back stretch on the third lap moved Cooper into second. A yellow flag waved on Lap 4, and Cooper turned up the pressure on Holbrook on the restart. As they worked their way down the front stretch on Lap 6, Cooper moved to the inside and made the pass for the lead. Les Friend of Galt began challenging Holbrook for the second position, and a tangle involving Phillip Shelby and Cameron Swank brought out a Lap 13 yellow flag.

As Cooper led the way, Friend slipped past Holbrook for second. Holbrook came back strong to reclaim second on Lap 15, but Holbrook used a Turn 4 pass on Lap 18 to regain the runner-up spot. A yellow flag waved moments later, and Cooper continued to lead Friend on the restart. 19th starter Casey Gingrich of Orland moved into third late, and Cooper scored the satisfying win ahead of Friend, Gingrich, Ty Carlson of Stockton and Rob Gallaher of San Jose.

Jason Ryan Jr #52 won his first IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was his first career victory. Ryan competed in the Central California Clash Series the week prior and ended up second in the standings.

With a pole position start, Dylan Connolly set the early pace ahead of Jonathan Hagio of Prunedale. A yellow flag waved for a four-car crash in Turn 4. Connolly continued to lead the restart with Tommy Fraser of Antioch and Ryan moving into second and third. Connolly was doing an impressive job of leading the way in his pursuit of a first time win, and he maintained the point through two more yellow flags.

On a Lap 16 restart, Ryan started challenging Fraser for second before slipping past him on Lap 17. Ryan turned up the heat on Connolly before finding his opening on the back stretch on Lap 17 to gain command. Ryan went on to victory from there ahead of Connolly, Fraser, Brentwood’s Trevor Clymens and Kenny Shrader of Pacheco.

Joel Hannagan #16 won his second-straight Hardtop Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Joel Hannagan drove the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog Hardtop to the victory in their 12 lap Main Event. Front row starter Ronnie Ruiz of West Sacramento took the early lead ahead a Brad Coelho of Oakley. Hanngan motored into second on Lap 2. Bob Slaney spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 3 yellow flag. Hannagan took the lead from Ruiz on the restart. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 7 gained Coelho second from Ruiz. However, Ruiz kept it close. A back stretch pass on Lap 11 regained Ruiz second, but Hannagan built a comfortable advantage by then on his way to victory. Coelho settled for third ahead of Joe Shenefield of Modesto and Dave Reed of West Sacramento.

Patricia Robles of Rio Vista won the 10 lap Mother’s Day Minivan race, beating a field of four competitors.

Antioch Speedway will be open during the Contra Costa County Fair for two nights of racing. On Friday night, the Wingless Spec Sprints are back in action along with the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars. Saturday night sees the return of the exciting Figure 8 along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and IMCA Sport Modifieds. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – May 13, 2023

Tri State Pro Stocks

FT Travis White 15.674. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Richard Brace Jr, Mike Learn, Jeffrey Hudson. Main Event (25 laps)-Jeffrey Hudson, Chris Smith, Travis White, Richard Brace Jr, Justin Crockett, Ryan Smith, Mike Learn, Paul Miller, Donny Richardson, Brent Lawrence.

West Coast Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Larry McKinzie Jr, Devin Koranda, Anthony Vigna, Colten Haney, Rob Gallaher, Bobby Motts Jr. B Main 1 (12 laps)-Les Friend, Philip Shelby, Grayson Baca. B Main 2 (12 laps)-Steven Johnson, Nick Johnson, Joe Gallaher. Main Event (25 laps)-Brian Cooper, Les Friend, Casey Gingrich, Ty Carlson, Rob Gallaher, Joe Gallaher, Clarence Holbrook III, Grayson Baca, Lance Hurst, Anthony Vigna.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jonathan Hagio, Chuck Golden, Chester Kniss. Main Event (20 laps)-Jason Ryan Jr, Dylan Connolly, Tommy Fraser, Trevor Clymens, Kenny Shrader, Mark Garner, Chester Kniss, Joseph Pato, Matt Pitts, Chuck Golden.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (12 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Ronnie Ruiz, Brad Coelho, Joe Shenefield, Dave Reed, Don Slaney, Ken Clifford DNS.

Filed Under: East County, Sports

Morris outduels Foulger for mid-week Clash win at Antioch Speedway

May 5, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Troy Morris III #07 won a three-car battle for the victory in the IMCA Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…May 3…Troy Morris III scored the win in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Wednesday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the opening round of the five race Central California Clash, and the win for the Bakersfield driver paid $1,000.

Reigning IMCA State champion Jim Pettit II of Prunedale motored into the lead at the start ahead of Troy Foulger of Martinez. The race had multiple caution flags during the first 10 laps with Pettit leading Foulger up to that point. Morris moved up to battle Clark Guglielmoni of Vacaville for third on Lap 10. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 13 put Morris into third, and he soon joined the battle between Pettit and Foulger for first.

An outside pass on the back stretch on Lap 18 moved Morris around both Pettit and Foulger with Foulger going low in Turn 4 to take second. A yellow flag waved on Lap 23. However, Morris kept his poise and withstood a serious challenge down the front stretch to hold off Foulger for the win. Pettit settled for third ahead of Gugliemoni and Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas.

Jerry Flippo #42f scored a thrilling win in the IMCA Stock Car feature race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jerry Flippo of Bakersfield won the 25 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event aboard the Les Friend owned entry. Martinez’s Troy Foulger set the early pace ahead of Flippo and Anthony Slaney of Martinez. They ran in that order through the first 12 laps before Raymond Noland of Porterville rolled his car in Turn 2. He was not injured.

Foulger continued to set the pace on the restart, but he got sideways exiting Turn 4 on Lap 18. Flippo gathered the momentum on the inside and passed him at the line to take the lead. Foulger made a couple of big attempts on the inside through Turns 3 and 4 to get by, but Flippo kept holding him back. By that point, Rick Diaz of Los Banos had moved into third.

On the final lap, Foulger made a very aggressive inside move in Turn 3 and drifted up high in Turn 4 with the lead. Undaunted, Flippo ducked to the inside and beat Foulger back to the line for the victory. Diaz settled for third ahead of Fred Ryland of Brentwood and Slaney.

Reigning Clash champion Tyler Bannister #51 won the IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Reigning Clash champion Tyler Bannister of Bakersfield won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Les Friend of Galt led a lap before Antioch’s Joseph Pato gained advantage. Following a yellow flag after two laps, Bannister took the lead. Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley moved into third on Lap 4. Mallet took second on a Lap 16 restart and held the spot until being involved in a three-car tangle in Turn 1 on Lap 22. Bannister led Kenny Shrader of Pacheco on the restart, and they finished that way with Ryan settling for third ahead of Trevor Clymens of Brentwood and Aaron Farrell of Atascadero.

Racing continues on Saturday night with the Wingless Spec Sprints kicking off their season with a special Memorial Lap for long time division supporter Rick Panfili. Also in action will be the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and Print Club Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results 

IMCA Modifieds 

Heat Winners (10 laps)-Jake Pike, Nick DeCarlo, Josh Combs. B Main (12 laps)-Anthony Slaney, Austin Kiefer, Paul Guglielmoni. Main Event (25 laps)-Troy Morris III, Troy Foulger, Jim Pettit II, Clark Guglielmoni, Bobby Hogge IV, Nick DeCarlo, Paul Stone, Jake Pike, Josh Combs, Cody Burke.

IMCA Sport Modifieds 

Heat Winners (10 laps)-Timmy Crews, Jacob Mallet Jr. Main Event (25 laps)-Tyler Bannister, Kenny Shrader, Jason Ryan Jr, Trevor Clymens, Aaron Farrell, Mark Garner,  Fred Ryland, Les Friend, Chuck Golden, Jacob Mallet Jr.

IMCA Stock Cars 

Heat Winners (10 laps)-Rick Diaz, Anthony Slaney. Main Event (25 laps)-Jerry Flippo, Troy Foulger, Rick Diaz, Fred Ryland, Anthony Slaney, Travis Dutra, Kevin Roberts, Steve Stone, Kenneth Robles, Jason Robles.

 

Filed Under: East County, News, Sports

LMC Baseball: Mustangs win Bay Valley Conference Championship

April 28, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Los Medanos outfielder Nico Torrez of Brentwood watches a pitch by the Laney College Eagles pitcher be called a ball by the homeplate umpire. Photo by Mohammad Najimi, LMC Experience

Decisive victory against Laney College puts Los Medanos College on top 

By Juliet V. Casey, Marketing Director, Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, Calif. – In a staggering 18-7 victory over the Laney College Eagles on Thursday, April 27, the Los Medanos College Mustangs baseball team secured the top spot as 2023 Bay Valley Conference champions.

“I’m just so proud of this group,” LMC Head Baseball Coach Matt Lisle. “It isn’t just one player that has stood out. I’ve preached since Day One, that we are in in this together and for us to win a championship it’s going to take everyone all-in. All-in on the field, in the classroom and together as a family and that’s exactly what we did. Truly a championship effort by each and every player.”

The Mustangs head into post-season play with a 28-10 season record and 17-3 in conference. The team is poised to break the school record for season wins – the most wins has been 29 – with at least four games left.

The last home game of the season will be today at 2:30 p.m., 2700 E. Leland Road. LMC hosts the first round of postseason baseball competition May 5 and May 6.

“Congratulations to our new Baseball Head Coach Matt Lisle, his assistant coach, Sparky Bray, and our student-athletes for such a phenomenal season,” said Tanisha Maxwell, athletics director and vice president of student services. “I hope to see everyone come out and support our championship team.”

Maxwell noted the team has shown outstanding character and attributed their success to “covenants” players adopted to keep each other positive, productive and accountable to each other on an off the field. Among the promises, “Make smart decisions off the field, make healthy decisions, represent LMC well and sharpen skills.”

“Last night’s victory is a testament of the quality program and tradition in place at Los Medanos College,” Interim President Pamela Ralston said.

Los Medanos Mustangs pitcher Colton Trudeau throws a pitch to the Laney Eagles batter in hopes of getting out of the inning during Thursday’s game. Photo by Mohammad Najimi, LMC Experience.

Several players this season are being recruited by NCAA Division I and II schools, and two players are being drafted by Major League Baseball teams for the upcoming June Amateur Draft.

Since the 2012 baseball season, 114 LMC baseball players have taken their athletic and academic careers to the four-year level and 67 have received All-Bay Valley Conference Honors. LMC has had 67 Academic All-Conference and 25 Academic All State selections.  Since its founding, the Los Medanos Baseball Program has also produced 21 professional draft picks.

Read more details of Thursday’s game on LMC’s Experience student news website.

Filed Under: East County, Education, Sports

Shrader, Baca, Foulger, Davis share Antioch Speedway spotlight

April 25, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Kenny Shrader #188 rebounded from mechanical gremlins to win the IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…April 22…Kenny Shrader of Pacheco won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Last year’s Bill Bowers Memorial winner had led several laps a week ago before mechanical gremlins sent him to the sidelines.

2019 champion Tommy Fraser of Antioch took the early lead ahead of Shrader, but Shrader moved into the lead on a Lap 4 restart ahead of Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley. However, Fraser went around the outside of Ryan to take second on Lap 5. Ryan hit the wall after relinquishing third to Mark Garner of Antioch on Lap 15. Shrader drove a flawless race and scored the victory ahead of Fraser. Reigning champion Fred Ryland of Brentwood made a late move to finish third ahead of Garner and Trevor Clymens of Brentwood.

Grayson Baca #31 served notice that he’s a title contender with his Hobby Stock Main Event triumph. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Grayson Baca of Brentwood won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. Aidan Ponciano of Oakley took the early lead ahead of Taylor DeCarlo of Martinez, but Baca and Danny Wagner of Bay Point moved into second and third on Lap 6. Baca slipped past Ponciano for the lead on Lap 8 before a yellow flag waved for a spin in Turn 4.

Baca led the restart as Wagner got around Ponciano for second. However, Wagner made contact with a slower car in Turn 4 as he attempted to get around Baca for the lead. This resulted in a flat tire as Baca regained the lead. Ponciano was back in second, but he spun in turn 4, handing second to Michaela Taylor of Oakley. Baca Led the rest of the way for the win ahead of Taylor, Ken Johns of Antioch, Jared Baugh of Pittsburg and DeCarlo.

Troy Foulger #49 was tuning up his IMCA Stock Car with a win ahead of the Central California Clash on May 3rd. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Five-time IMCA Modified champion Troy Foulger of Martinez won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Reigning champion Travis Dutra of Concord set the early pace ahead of Jason Robles of Rio Vista and Raymond Noland of Porterville. However, Noland got sideways in Turn 4, resulting in Robles spinning to avoid contact for a yellow flag on Lap 5. Dutra found himself in a serious challenge for the lead on the restart, and a three-wide run going through Turns 3 and 4 resulted in Foulger using the middle line to take the lead. Noland motored his way into second at that point. Brentwood’s Fred Ryland made a Turn 2 pass on Dutra for third on Lap 11. Foulger built a straightaway advantage over the remaining laps to win ahead of Noland, Ryland, Dutra and Robles.

Troy Foulger #49 was tuning up his IMCA Stock Car with a win ahead of the Central California Clash on May 3rd. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tom Davis of Los Molinos won the 20 lap Print Club Mini Stock Main Event. Santa Rosa’s Tom Brown raced into the early lead ahead of Davis, but Davis used an outside frontstretch pass on Lap 6 to take the lead. Pittsburg’s Don Abitz was running a close third, but he got slowed up in traffic and fell behind the leaders. A low move in Turn 2 on Lap 8 put Brown back into the lead, but he again surrendered the point to Davis in Turn 4 two laps later. Davis led the rest of the way to win ahead of Brown, Abitz, Patrick Kelley of Clovis and David Carson of Antioch.

Racing continues next week with the NARC Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Cars in action for their lone appearance of the season. The IMCA Modifieds kick off their championship season along with a NorCal/Delta Dwarf Car shootout and IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results

Antioch Speedway April 22

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat winners (8 laps)-Kenny Shrader, Kelly Campanile. Main Event (20 laps)-Kenny Shrader, Tommy Fraser, Fred Ryland, Mark Garner, Trevor Clymens, Jacob Mallet Jr, Joseph Pato, Kelly Campanile, Matt Pitts, Jason Ryan Jr.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Kevin Brown, Danny Wagner, Grayson Baca. Main Event (20 laps)-Grayson Baca. Michaela Taylor, Ken Johns, Jared Baugh, Taylor DeCarlo, Jess Paladino, Aidan Ponciano, Kevin Brown, James Graessle, Colten Haney.

IMCA Stock Car 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Raymond Noland. Main Event (20 laps)-Troy Foulger, Raymond Noland, Fred Ryland, Travis Dutra, Jason Robles, Kenneth Robles, Jeff Bentancourt.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tom Brown, Don Abitz, Patrick Kelley, David Carson. Tony Quinonez DNS.

 

Filed Under: East County, Sports

Antioch teens win MLF High School Fishing Open on the California Delta

April 24, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Antioch residents Noah Nguyen and Tyler Petersen with their championship plaques. Photo by MLF

Presented by Tackle Warehouse

OAKLEY, Calif. (April 24, 2023) – The Liberty/Heritage High School Team of Noah Nguyen and Tyler Petersen, both of Antioch, California, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the second, and final, MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on the California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse event of the year in Oakley, California.

A field of 33 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Russo’s Marina in Bethel Island. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10% of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top three teams that qualified for the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship are:

1st: Liberty/Heritage High School – Noah Nguyen and Tyler Peterson, both of Antioch, Calif., five bass, 17-12

2nd: Casa Roble Fundamental – Ian Peatross and Preston Schweiger, both of Citrus Heights, Calif., four bass, 17-5

3rd: Lake County High School Fishing Club – Tyler Bryant and Joey Gentle, both of Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 16-9

Rounding out the top 10 teams were:

4th: Lake County High School Fishing Club – Payton Lyndall, Kelseyville, Calif., and Kaine Navarro, Glendora, Calif., five bass, 16-6

5th: Hughson High School – Logan Dekleva and Landon Mason, both of Hughson, Calif., five bass, 14-8

6th: Delta Saints Bass Team – Jax Soto, Courtland, Calif., and Nathan Tritt, West Sacramento, Calif., five bass, 14-1

7th: Delta Saints Bass Team – Zachary Carli, Ryde, Calif., and Jake Feldheim, West Sacramento, Calif., five bass, 13-11

8th: Liberty High School – J.D. Farage, Discovery Bay, Calif., and Fisher Perkins, Rocklin, Calif., five bass, 13-7

9th: Hughson High School – Hunter Cook, Hickman, Calif., and Cooper Scarbrough, Hughson, Calif., five bass, 13-4

10th: Oakdale High School – Troy Cox and Zane Ravalin, both of Oakdale, Calif., five bass, 11-12

Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com

MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10% of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, will advance to the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship. The 2023 MLF High School Fishing National Championship will be held on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 20-24, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.

The High School Fishing National Champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2023 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com

. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About Major League Fishing

Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, the Discovery Channel, the Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, the World Fishing Network and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.

Major League Fishing – WE ARE Bass Fishing™

Filed Under: East County, News, Sports, Youth

Andreotti opens BCRA Midgets Triple Crown Series with win at Antioch Speedway

April 11, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Jake Andreotti #00 opened the BCRA Midget Triple Crown series with a $2,000 win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…April 8…Jake Andreotti of Castro Valley won the 30 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the 63rd season opening race at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds venue. It was also the opening round of the three-race special BCRA Triple Crown Series at the track, which pays $2,000 to win each race and has a special point fund.

Past USAC Western States Midgets and WMR Midgets champion Blake Bower of Brentwood raced into the early lead ahead of Caden Sarale of Stockton. Andreotti found his way into third by the sixth lap. A Turn 4 pass on Lap 9 gained Sarale the lead. Andreotti motored into second on Lap 11.  Andreotti quickly started to challenge Sarale,, and they caught a slower car on Lap 14. Andreotti went high in Turn 2, while Sarale went low and surrendered the lead. Through a pair of slowdowns during the second half of the race, Andreotti stayed smooth and went on to score the impressive win. Sarale settled for the $1,150 second place finish, followed by Bower, Jake Morgan of Fair Oaks and Bryant Bell of Oakley.

Matt Kile #5 returned to Hobby Stock racing with an impressive feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Matt Kile of San Jose won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. Kile charged into the lead at the start ahead of Jared Baugh of Pittsburg. Kile didn’t receive much of a threat in this race, but Baugh, Danny Wagner of Bay Point and Grayson Baca of Brentwood had a spirited battle going for second. Baugh held the spot until being passed by Baca on Lap 11. Wagner quickly moved into third and executed to Turn 2 pass on the last lap for what he thought would be second. However, Baca came back strong and beat Wagner back to the line by inches. Kile cruised to the well-earned victory. Baugh settled for fourth ahead of Kevin Brown of Oakley.

David Michael Rosa #2d won the Delta Dwarf Car season opener. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Antioch’s David Michael Rosa won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. Several drivers were involved in different mishaps during the first 14 laps that caused five yellow flags. Through it all, reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner of Bay Point led the way. Dublin’s Devan Kammermann spun out of second on Lap 7, moving Ellie Russo of Bay Point into the position. However, Chance Russell of Antioch gained second a lap later. Rosa slipped past Russell for second on a Lap 14 restart and gained the lead when Wagner slowed on Lap 18 with mechanical issues. Rosa went on to win ahead of Russell, Russo, Travis Day of Concord and Pete Piantanida of Discovery Bay.

Greg Dennett #47 dominated the BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Greg Dennett of Livermore won the 20 lap BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. Scott Kinney led two laps before being passed by Dennett on the back stretch on Lap 3. Dakota Albright of Waterford made a Turn 4 pass on Kinney for second on Lap 5, but Dennett had already built a straightaway advantage by then. Dennett cruised to victory ahead of Albright, Harlee Aguilera of Orangevale, Josef Ferolito of Modesto and Cody Meyer of Placerville.

Joel Hannagan piloted The Junkyard Dog #16 Hardtop to an impressive win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Joel Hannagan of San Jose won the 15 lap Hardtop Main Event. Ronnie Ruiz of West Sacramento led two laps before Brad Coelho of Oakley got by in Turn 4 for the lead. Hannagan followed closely into second, and Hannagan made a Turn 4 pass a lap later to take the lead from Coelho. As Hannagan pulled away, Coello and Ruiz battled fiercely for second. Ruiz made a Turn 4 pass to gain the spot in Lap 7, only to surrender the position to Coelho with an inside move on the frontstretch on Lap 11. Hannagan went on to victory ahead of Coelho, Ruiz, Joe Shenefield of Antioch and Ken Clifford of Placerville.

Dana Gardner #37 remained hot with his Print Club Mini Stock feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

After a strong postseason effort last year, San Bruno’s Dana Gardner resumed his impressive efforts with a 20 lap Print Club Mini Stock Main Event win.  Gardner led from the outside with Eddie Humphrey III of Torrance an early second. Humphrey held the position until a Lap 9 yellow flag. Humphrey pitted, and Gardner resumed command ahead of reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa and Tony Quinonez of Corning. As Gardner sped to the impressive win by a wide margin, Brown managed to hold off Quinonez in a close battle for second. Newcomer Max Finley of Santa Rosa wheeled his Ford Pinto Wagon to a fourth place finish ahead Don Abitz of Pittsburg.

At the opening ceremonies, several drivers came out to do a memorial lap for BCRA Hall of Fame member Jim Screeton, who died in a motorcycle accident back in March. Racing continues next weekend with the Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Tour, the IMCA Sport Modifieds and 600 Micro Sprints competing. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results – April 8, 2023

BCRA Midgets 

FT-Jake Andreotti 14.312. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jake Andreotti, Jake Morgan, Bryant Bell. Main Event (30 laps)-Jake Andreotti, Caden Sarale, Blake Bower, Jake Morgan, Bryant Bell, Michael Snider, Sage Bordeneve, Logan Mitchell, Danika Jo Parker, Kevin Box.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jared Baugh, Danny Wagner, Matt Kile. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt Kile, Grayson Baca, Danny Wagner, Jared Baugh, Kevin Brown, Ken Johns, Colten Haney, Michaela Taylor, James Graessle, Aidan Ponciano.

BCRA Lightning Sprints 

FT Greg Dennett 13.852. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Greg Dennett, Dakota Albright. Main Event-Greg Dennett, Dakota Albright, Harlee Aguilera, Joseph Ferolito, Cody Meyer, Scott Kinney, Hunter Kinney. Daniel Caughran DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-David Michael Rosa, Danny Wagner. Main Event (20 laps)-David Michael Rosa, Chance Russell, Ellie Russo, Travis Day, Pete Piantanida, David Rosa, Joe LeDuc, Danny Wagner, Devan Kammermann, Bobby Motts Jr DNS.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Dana Gardner, Eddie Humphrey III. Main Event (20 laps)-Dana Gardner, Tom Brown, Tony Quinonez, Max Finley, Don Abitz, Cody Bolles, Eddie Humphrey III, Laina Bales, David Carson, Roberto Monroy DNS.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (6 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (15 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Brad Coelho, Ronnie Ruiz, Joe Shenefield, Ken Clifford.

 

Filed Under: East County, Sports

Sunny skies in forecast as Antioch Speedway returns to action Saturday

April 7, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

 

Last season’s top Dwarf Car stars were champion Danny Wagner #11 and Devan Kammermann #18. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Fourth try for Season Opener

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…It seems like it’s been a broken record. It’s happened a total of six times this year, including the two practices that were scheduled before the original season opener on March 11th. Antioch Speedway has been rained out six times this year, including four races in a row.

As the rain let up after Wednesday last week, there might have been a chance to hustle to get the races in over the next couple of days, but the grounds were very saturated on Thursday. It didn’t start looking good out there until Saturday. The decision to cancel last week was a good move. It gives the crew and the staff time to make things right for this Saturday night’s races and Kid’s Easter Egg Hunt.

The Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks will take center stage, joined by the Delta Dwarf Cars, BCRA Midgets and Lightning Sprints and the always fun to watch Hardtops. As if that’s not enough, the season will now open with an exciting Figure 8 race. There’s lots of excitement on the card for fans looking for their racing adrenaline rush.

Eventual winner Clarence Holbrook III #2 makes an inside pass on Trevor Clymens #71 and Jon Haney #44 with Michaela Taylor #71a in close pursuit In Hobby Stock action. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Danny Wagner of Bay Point has competed in all sorts of divisions and been a winner in everything. The three-time Delta Dwarf Car champion has also won feature races in the Mini Trucks, IMCA Modifieds and Winged 360 Sprint Cars. During the off-season, Wagner built a Hobby Stock, and he debuted it at Merced Speedway last week with results you might expect from him. He picked up the feature win in his first start.

Whether Wagner goes for points or not, he is sure to be a force in Hobby Stocks anytime he’s there. There are some good Hobby Stock drivers looking to take it up a notch after last season, led by Jared Baugh of Pittsburg, Michaela Taylor of Oakley, Jewell Crandall of Antioch and Grayson Baca of Brentwood. The Hobby Stocks were averaging car counts in the mid-20s last season, and expectations are that they will remain on that level this year.

Hobby Stocks are the car of choice for the exciting Figure 8 race. Antioch featured this race from 1987 to 1990 and briefly in the early 2000s. Last season, the crowd approved of the return of this race, which came back with a $1,000 to win event, won by two-time Spec Sprint champion Dan Gonderman of Antioch. Longtime Figure 8 supporter Jimmy Robbins of Concord, Mike Conley Jr of Antioch and Newman’s DJ Keldsen and Cody Keldsen are among the drivers anticipated when the cars take the track this Saturday night.

Dwarf Cars are the third longest tenured class at the speedway, following IMCA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. The king of the mountain these days may be Danny Wagner, but he’ll get stiff competition from last year’s Most Improved Driver, Devan Kammermann of Dublin, who won two races. Throw in great competition from the likes of Ellie Russo of Bay Point, Sean Catucci of Brentwood, Travis Day of Concord and five-time champion Ricardo Rivera of Hollister, and the Dwarf Cars will definitely entertain.

Steve Perry #05 and Angela Brown #47 race for position in the Figure 8 last year. Photo by Katrina Kniss

There isn’t an older sanctioning body based out of California than the Bay City’s Racing Association. The BCRA Lightning Sprints have been making periodic visits to the track every year, but it’s been a couple of seasons since we’ve seen the BCRA Midgets. The popular Open Wheel class ruled the roost in California throughout the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Through the ups and downs, BCRA has remained to sanction these racers, and they still have drivers committed to bringing exciting Midget racing.

The Lightning Sprints made two appearances last season. Unlike the Midgets, they run with wings and they turn some of the fastest laps at the speedway. This division has been under the BCRA banner for over two decades now and always puts on a good show. There’s another division that was once sanctioned by the BCRA throughout the 1950s into the early 1960s, and they are on the card on Saturday night.

The popular Hardtops return, likely to be joined by some of the Valley Sportsman racers from Merced Speedway. Unlike the Hardtops, the Sportsman division runs a wing and is a class that was featured at Antioch Speedway throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Last year, the Hardtops held the Butch Althar Memorial race, won by two-time Merced Speedway champion Rick Elliott. It was Joel Hannagan piloting Doug Braudrick’s Junkyard Dog to his third-consecutive Chet Thomson Memorial win last season.

Matt Land #91 was last season’s BCRA Lightning Sprint champion. Photo by Katrina Kniss

The diverse lineup of cars scheduled this Saturday night offers a little something for every fan. If you want fast, and open wheel, look no further than Midgets and Lightning Sprints. If you want slam-bang, fendered Stock Car racing, Hobby Stocks and Figure 8 will fill the bill. If you like a little bit of nostalgia in your program, look no further than the Hardtops. It’s sure to be a good show.

The evening will also have an Easter Egg Hunt and bike giveaway for the kids. This has become a happy tradition at the speedway in recent years and another reason families come to the speedway.

The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00.

Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids five and under free.

For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

Filed Under: East County, Sports

Antioch Speedway makes fourth attempt at Season Opener Saturday

March 31, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

2022 champion Nick DeCarlo #17 and runner-up Kellen Chadwick #83 had an intense IMCA Modified battle last season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

There’s no doubt this has been a wetter winter than we’ve had in recent years. The Contra Costa Event Center (county fairgrounds) has received so much rain that it was flooded in areas this year, and Antioch Speedway was under water throughout much of January and February. This has left the crew scrambling to get things ready.

With pumps removing the water from the racing surface, there has been optimism of getting races going in recent weeks. However, steady rainfall has put an end to that. This Saturday night, the 63rd season of auto racing is set to begin with an action-packed card.

The Trifecta of IMCA, Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, will be competing along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks and the WMR Miidgets.

Though there is rain forecast for early in the week, there is optimism that this week will indeed happen. The season opener is always an exciting time at the race track. Drivers show up with new bodies on their cars or even brand new race cars. The point standings have been wiped clean, and it’s a fresh new start. Anybody can make their move.

Last season saw a spirited duel between Kellen Chadwick of Oakley and Nick DeCarlo of Martinez go down to the final IMCA Modified race with both of them still tied in the end. DeCarlo ended up with his second Antioch championship due to the fact that he had four Main Event wins, while Chadwick had three.

The consistent Bobby Motts Jr of San Pablo ended up third. A competitive field that will include a few past champions is anticipated on Saturday.

Three-time IMCA Sport Modified champion Fred Ryland #7j managed to hold off #15p Andrew Pearce in a thrilling battle last year. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Nobody has won more races in the IMCA Sport Modifieds then Fred Ryland of Brentwood, but the three-time champion needed four wins to hold off young star Andrew Pearce of Oakley for the championship last season.

Another rising star, Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley, ended up third in the standings and also won the IMCA State crown. This year will be interesting with the return of another three-time champion, Trevor Clymens of Brentwood.

The exciting new IMCA Stock Car division continues to grow by leaps and bounds. This division offers a different yet very exciting style of racing compared to the Modified classes, and drivers are still getting used to these cars.

Past Dwarf Car and Mini Truck champion Travis Dutra of Concord notched his second-straight division championship after a season-long battle with Rio Vista’s Jason Robles. Top rookie Jason Jennings of Pittsburg ended up third in the rundown. New drivers are anticipated this year.

No division offered a bigger car count per week then the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks last season. It was a year of the ladies with Misty Welborn of Castro Valley finishing first, Michaela Taylor of Oakley ending up second, Taylor DeCarlo of Martinez fourth and Jewell Crandall of Antioch fifth. Several drivers have just gotten started in this class in recent years and are getting better with every turn behind the wheel.

Super Stocks have been at the speedway for over 20 years, and Danville’s Jim Freethy won the championship last year over Brentwood’s Joey Ridgeway and Concord’s Jimmy Robbins.

Travis Dutra #22 is the only IMCA Stock Car champion after two seasons, but Jason Robles #78 is hoping to improve on his runner-up status of last year. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Car count is expected to increase a little bit this year. Among the several big events lined up at the track this year will be the Larry Damitz Memorial race on May 13th, featuring the Tri State Challenge Pro Stocks.

Midget racing has been a big deal in California for over 70 years, but the Ecotec motor program introduced by the WMR Miidgets is bringing new blood into the class. They are a division that is in high demand and competes at several venues on the West Coast.

Antioch is looking forward to hosting this coming race, which could have a field of a dozen or more cars. Two of the champions on the tour in recent years are Blake Bower of Brentwood and David Prickett of Fresno.

We’ve definitely needed the rain in California, but now racing fans need a little bit of dry weather. It’s time to go racing, and Speedway Management is optimistic that this week will be the time for it to finally happen.

Once we unleash the beasts, we’ll have racing pretty much regularly all the way through the last weekend of October with a few events lined up in November. Special Sprint Car touring races and big events like the Bill Bowers and Hetrick Modified races are highlights of what should be an action-packed season.

The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00.

Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids five and under free.

For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

 

Filed Under: East County, Sports

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