Kellen Chadwick #83 maintained his championship hopes by winning his second IMCA Modified Main Event of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Patricia Robles wins Mother’s Day Mini Van race

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…May 7...Kellen Chadwick won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the second win of the season for the 2006 champion. The night was also a salute to mothers with several things taking place, including a Mother’s Day Mini Van race and lucky ride alongs in Hobby Stocks for the mothers.

Sean Wilson led the opening lap ahead of Bobby Motts Jr before a yellow flag waved. On the restart, Terry DeCarlo, Jr. made an impressive maneuver on the outside of Turn 2 to gain the lead with point leader and brother Nick DeCarlo following him into second. Debris fell in turn two for a Lap 3 yellow flag. Terry DeCarlo, Jr. led his younger brother on the restart with Chadwick settling into third. Following a yellow flag for Eric Berendsen on the front straightaway, DeCarlo, Jr. continued to lead with Chadwick moving into second on the Lap 6 restart. DeCarlo, Jr. was doing a good job of leading the way when another yellow flag waved for Wilson and Jeffrey Partain in Turn 1 on Lap 11. DeCarlo, Jr. led Chadwick on the restart, but Chadwick made an inside move on the backstretch on Lap 17 to take over. Motts started pressuring DeCarlo a little bit for the second position as Chadwick pulled away. A yellow flag for a Berendsen crash on the front straightaway on Lap 19 bunched the field and set up a one lap shootout, but Chadwick would prevail ahead of Terry DeCarlo, Jr., Motts, Trevor Clymens and Gary Hylton.

Tommy Fraser #12 won his second-straight IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tommy Fraser won his second-straight IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The 2019 champion benefited from traffic in making his winning pass. Dylan Connelly jumped into the early lead ahead of Jake Bentancourt. Fraser went low in Turn 4 on Lap 3 to take second, and a yellow flag waved for Nick Caughman Jr on Lap 6. Dylan Connelly continued to lead Fraser and Kenny Shrader on the restart. During this lengthy green flag run, Connelly was doing a good job of holding off Fraser. The leaders caught traffic around Lap 13. One little mistake going through Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 16 allowed Fraser to make a move on the inside down the front straightaway as they worked through traffic. A lap later, Caughman brought out a yellow flag once again. Without the traffic to deal with, Fraser maintained his lead on the restart and brought it home to victory. Connelly faded as Shrader ended up second ahead of Chester Kniss, Mark Garner and Fred Ryland.

Jason Robles #78 won his second IMCA Stock Car feature race as he remains in title contention. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jason Robles kept his IMCA Stock Car championship hopes strong with his second 20 lap Main Event win. Despite a short field of entries, this race provided plenty of excitement as it closed the evening’s activities. Andrew Pearce jumped into the lead from the start ahead of Robles and Kellen Chadwick. Point leader Travis Dutra went low in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to gain third, but he was a bit behind the lead duo by then. As Dutra began to close in on Robles, Pearce ducked into the infield with problems on Lap 16. Robles had his hands full over the five final five circuits in his quest for victory, but he held off Dutra to the checkered flag. Chadwick settled for third, followed by Jason Jennings and Jeff Bentancourt.

Patricia Robles #724 won the second ever Mother’s Day Mini Van Race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Patricia Robles bested Kayte East to win the three Mother’s Day Mini Van races. East was piloting a van painted like the Mystery Machine of Scooby Doo cartoon fame. The two ladies competed for $100 in sponsored prize money in the final race with Robles winning ahead of East.

The Contra Costa County Fair happens this Saturday night, but the track will be offering its first Destruction Derby in many years. Fans will need to come in through the Fair entrance. The next oval track race happens on May 21st, featuring The Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results Antioch Speedway

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Nick DeCarlo, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps) – Kellen Chadwick, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Bobby Motts Jr, Trevor Clymens, Gary Hylton, Eric Berendsen, Jeffrey Partain, Kenneth Robles, Sean Wilson, Nick DeCarlo.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Tommy Fraser, Jason Ryan Jr, Kenny Shrader. Main Event (20 laps) – Tommy Fraser, Kenny Shrader, Chester Kniss, Mark Garner, Fred Ryland, Andrew Pearce, Chuck Golden, Jason Ryan Jr, Dylan Connelly, Jacob Mallet, Jr.

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winner (8 laps) – Andrew Pearce. Main Event (20 laps) – Jason Robles, Travis Dutra, Kellen Chadwick, Jason Jennings, Jeff Bentancourt, Joe Gallaher, Andrew Pearce.

Screenshot of video by Sabrina Pedrotte

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…The Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour is in high demand on the West Coast. On Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, the fans at Antioch Speedway were given an example as to why. From the moment the music played at the start of the festivities to the final ride alongs for the fans at the conclusion of the program, they were entertained. (See Facebook videos here,  here and here)

The crowd on Saturday night April 30, 2022. Photo by Sabrina Pedrotte

Antioch Speedway fans were given an induction to this exciting touring group last September. Promoters Chad and Tina Chadwick were so delighted by the response that they booked them on two weekend occasions this year. This was the first one, and they will be back in town in September.

They bring two ride along trucks. One is named after one of their star attractions, Identity Theft The Ride. The other is Skeletor. Both proved to be very popular as rides were given prior to the start of the contest, during intermission and then at the conclusion of the show. Everybody who wanted one was able to get a ride and feel what it’s like to be in one of these gargantuan machines.

Identity Theft monster truck. Photo by Don Martin, II

Skeletor monster truck offered rides. Photo by Sabrina Pedrotte

Once Dallas, who expertly announces this program, got the fans on their feet, the five Monster Trucks went off in various directions at the same time to the delight of the crowd. Then, there was the introduction of the competitors on the front straightaway.

There is the dragon themed Monster Truck called Spitfire. This truck actually shoots fire out it’s nose and is piloted expertly by Nick Jones of Chimacum WA. There’s also Weekend Warrior, driven by Myles Parker of Colfax, CA, the California Kid, driven by PJ Solorio of Paso Robles, CA and Identity Theft, piloted by Dwight Mathews.

Some will correctly say that they are all the stars, but there is a little more love generated from the fans by Spitfire, Identity Theft and immensely popular Rockstar. Rockstar is a unique truck in that it has two drivers, the husband and wife team of Bill and Lorna Payne of Port Orchard, WA. The duo are also the promoters of the tour itself.

The fans see a series of competitions, and there are three judges giving them scores. Dallas serves as one of them, there is also another judge in the booth and one on the track itself. The competition ranges from freestyle to time trials to one-on-one racing. Spitfire is known for the fire shooting out of the truck’s nose. Identity Theft does an impressive rear wheel stand, and Rockstar takes it up a notch as they stand it on its front wheels. That proves to be very popular with the fans as they roar their approval.

Monster trucks in action. Screenshot of video by Sabrina Pedrotte

Dallas will go through the grandstands and find the rowdiest fans. Everybody is up on their feet as he hands out T-shirts throughout the night. He pretty much has the fans in his hands and is an expert in presenting these gargantuan, highflying machines to the public. The fans are into it from the start as they pick their favorite trucks and cheer them on all night.

When it comes to freestyle, they hold nothing back. It takes a steady hand to pilot one of these big machines. One miscalculation, and you land improperly from a jump and risk doing damage. You can end up on your roof. They don’t want that to happen as it means one less truck for the rest of the evening. They try to give the fans a little razzle dazzle while also exercising caution when necessary. By the time they get to freestyle, nobody holds anything back.

The freestyle competition at the end of the night is what closes the competition. Therefore, if you put a little more into a jump at the conclusion of the night and land awkwardly, it’s damage that can be repaired for the next night. Every truck seems to take it up a notch.

Spitfire usually runs third and is raising the bar. Identity Theft takes it up even higher. Rockstar is probably the fan favorite. You see more pink colored “Breast Cancer Awareness” Rockstar shirts among the crowd in the stands. Bill and Lorna give it their all. They proved to be the winners on this occasion, but the real winners were the fans.

Identity Theft monster truck also offered rides. Photo by Don Martin, II

Saturday was the bigger night in terms of attendance. Some would compare the numbers to what was seen on a weekly basis in the grandstands back in the 1980s and before.

However, even the Sunday afternoon turnout was bigger than what you’d see on an average night. Management is doing things like this to create awareness and get more fans coming out to the show, and things are improving gradually.

While the show went well and the track looks forward to the Monster Truck visit on September 10th and 11th, racing will return this Saturday night. On the Coco Farms Antioch Speedway Racing calendar for this Saturday night, we find a Mother’s Day Mini Van race, and the other competing divisions will include IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or go to the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

2019 IMCA Sport Modified champion Tommy Fraser #12 made a late move to score the victory. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Whitley, Friend, Wagner other winners

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…April 23…Tommy Fraser won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The 2019 champion made his move as they raced to the white flag and brought home the victory. Over 80 drivers competed in the four-division program.

Nick Zapatero charged into the lead at the start, followed by Fraser and Mark Garner. They ran that way for several laps before a yellow flag waved for a Turn 4 tangle involving Chuck Golden, Jason Ryan Jr, Brianna Troen and Nick Caughman Jr. Zapatero led Fraser and KC Keller on the restart. Zapatero was doing a good job of leading the way, but he didn’t have a very good Lap 18. A lap later, Zapatero pushed a little bit in Turn 3, and Fraser went down low in Turn 4 to grab the lead. Zapatero ended up spinning, and Fraser won ahead of Keller, Andrew Pearce, Mark Garner and Jonathan Hagio.

Jacob Tuttle drove the third-place finishing car in the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Daniel Whitley picked up the win in the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. The Hunt Series Rookie of the Year was piloting a car owned by Ted Finkenbinder, who also owns the third place finishing car of Jacob Tuttle.

Two-time Watsonville champion Jimmy Christian led the opening lap before Rick Panfili spun in Turn 4 for a yellow flag. On the restart lap, Whitley got a good run exiting Turn 2 and passed teammate Jacob Tuttle for second. Whitley then went racing past Christian on the back straightaway. There were two yellow flags from there. The worst was a red flag incident that saw Kaimi Moniz-Costa and Bob Newberry get together on the back straightaway with Newberry rolling. As Whitley started to pull away in the waning laps, Christian had his hands full battling Tuttle for second. Whitley won by a straightaway, and Christian held off Tuttle for the runner-up finish as Jarrett Soares and Trey Walters rounded out the Top 5.

Les Friend #42 got the win in the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock feature race. Photo by Katrina Kniss.

Les Friend picked up the win in the 30 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. Looking for her fourth win, Misty Welborn brought the field to green flag ahead of Jason Robles and Clarence Holbrook. Welborn and Robles had a little bit of contact on Lap 10 as they battled in traffic. Welborn ended up with a flat tire, and Friend made a low pass in Turn 4 to take the lead. Friend was leading Robles and Holbrook at the halfway point of the race. Bobby Motts Jr moved into third on a Lap 19 restart. Friend set a rapid pace and scored the well-earned victory ahead of Robles, Motts, Holbrook and Jeff Bentancourt. James Graessle and Michaela Taylor won the two 10 lap B Mains with over 30 cars in competition.

Point leader Danny Wagner #11DD continues to roll with his third win in the Delta Dwarf Cars. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Point leader Danny Wagner won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. This was his third win of the season. South Bay Dwarf Car competitor Dan Zuger led them to the green flag ahead of David Michael Rosa. Wagner quickly moved into third and made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 4 to gain second. A yellow flag waved on Lap 4 for David Rosa, and Zuger continued to lead Wagner and David Michael Rosa on the restart. Both Wagner and David Michael Rosa got around Zuger on Lap 6, and Devan Kammermann moved into third soonafter. Kammermann made a move around Rosa on Lap 8, and the battle was on between Wagner and Kammermann. At times the lead duo went side by side in the final 13 laps. However, Wagner kept his cool and brought it home to the victory. Kammermann settled for another second place finish, followed by Sean Catucci, Ellie Russo and David Michael Rosa.

This weekend, Antioch Speedway hosts the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour for two nights of exciting entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway April 23 Unofficial Race Results

Wingless Spec Sprints

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Jacob Tuttle, Jimmy Christian, Daniel Whitley. Main Event (20 laps)  Daniel Whitley, Jimmy Christian, Jacob Tuttle, Jarrett Soares, Trey Walters, Shannon Newton, Zack Neeley, James East, Tony Bernard, Jacob Williams.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Tommy Fraser, KC Keller, Tyler Browne, Matt Pitts. Main Event (20 laps) – Tommy Fraser, KC Keller, Andrew Pearce, Mark Garner, Jonathan Hagio Jacob Mallet Jr, Fred Ryland, Jason Ryan Jr, Nick Caughman Jr, Chester Kniss.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Misty Welborn, Clarence Holbrook, Jason Robles, Jon Haney. B Main 1 (10 laps) – James Graessle, Jess Paladino, Gavin Griffiths. B Main 2 (10 laps) – Michaela Taylor, Angela Brown, Judy Arth. Main Event (30 laps) – Les Friend, Jason Robles, Bobby Motts Jr, Clarence Holbrook, Jeff Bentancourt, Jared Baugh, Chris Long, Grayson Baca, Jewell Crandall, Ken Johns.

Delta Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Chance Russell, Sean Catucci. Main Event (20 laps )- Danny Wagner, Devan Kammerman, Sean Catucci, Ellie Russo, David Michael Rosa, Toby Brown Dan Zuger, Mario Marques, Joe LeDuc, Chance Russell.

KC Keller #38 is the 2017 IMCA Sport Modified champion and third on the all-time win list for the division. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…After the successful Easter weekend event, racing returns to Antioch Speedway this Saturday night. The IMCA Sport Modifieds are back In action along with the Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and Delta Dwarf Cars. It figures to be an action-packed show from start to finish.

After three events, two-time reigning IMCA Sport Modified champion Fred Ryland is tied for the lead with rising young star Andrew Pearce. The duo are just four points ahead of another young gun, Jacob Mallet Jr. 11 points back is Tyler Browne and 12 back is KC Keller. The championship battle is just getting started. Some of these drivers headed to Merced for the big money race two weeks ago. Ryland pocketed $2,000 for his second place finish that night.

Keller has proven to be a formidable competitor at Antioch since joining the action in 2015. It took him a couple of seasons before winning the 2017 championship. He seems to always be in the mix for a win, and his victory at the most recent race was his 13th at Antioch, keeping him third on the division’s all-time win list behind Ryland and Trevor Clymens. After notching third place seasons in the championship battle for the last two years, it could be that this will be his year to take it up a notch and win it all again.

The Wingless Spec Sprints got off to a bumpy start for their season opener last week, which was won by newcomer Zack Neeley. Neeley was behind the wheel of the John Hendrickson owned entry. Hendrickson himself has competed at Antioch in Street Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and was one of the first drivers to get on board with Spec Sprint racing. Neeley was only making his second start in that car, and he had to hold off Jacob Williams for the win.

Just as he was in Street Stocks and IMCA Modifieds, Tony Bernard #50 is one of the top drivers in Wingless Spec Sprints. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Running back in third was Tony Bernard. Bernard hails from Santa Rosa, but he likes coming out and racing against the competitive field at Antioch Speedway. Last season, Tony used consistency to finish third in the standings and only missed second by six points. At his home track in Petaluma, Tony proved to be quite a competitive Street Stock racer in the late 1980s and early 1990s before moving up to the IMCA Modifieds. He’d been away for a few years, but he’s proven that he still knows the fast way around the racetrack.

Early season favorite Bob Newberry had people proclaiming him the driver to beat in his quest for an unprecedented third division championship. Unfortunately, he started off with some motor issues last week. Bob decided to go out and take a green flag for the points. Somehow, he was still making some passes, but he ended up heading for the pits after being involved in a tangle with another driver.

Likewise, two-time champion Dan Gonderman seemed to get battered a little bit, but he still managed a fifth place feature finish. Division original Rick Panfili wasn’t as lucky as Gonderman. He suffered motor issues in his heat race and loaded up early.

Some people are proclaiming 2022 to be the year of the ladies in the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. Women at the front of the pack are nothing new in this class as Denise McCown and her daughter Megan Ponciano are both champions. Melissa Myers has also claimed the championship glory. As for McCown and Ponciano, the third generation of the family, Aiden Ponciano, is doing quite well. He could be a threat to win this week.

Taylor DeCarlo #17 tops the rookies in the Hobby Stock division and is the third generation of her family to race at Antioch Speedway. Photo by Katrina Kniss

With three wins to her credit, Misty Welborn sits atop the standings by just six points ahead of Michaela Taylor and 12 in front of the tied Taylor DeCarlo and Jess Paladino. Reigning champion Larry McKinzie Jr didn’t finish the most recent race and fell back to fifth, 14 points out of lead.

Taylor has looked fast lately and ended up finishing a career best second at the most recent show. Some people are predicting that she could get her first win very soon. However, fellow female leadfoot Taylor DeCarlo is turning some heads after another Top 5 finish last time out.

She is the third generation of her family to go racing. Her father, Terry DeCarlo, Jr., races a Modified with his brother Nick DeCarlo and father Terry DeCarlo, Sr. There could come a time very soon when all three generations of the family run a race together. Prior to getting into the Hobby Stocks, Taylor got valuable seat time in Outlaw Karts and Micro Sprints.

Devan Kammermann #18d has all podium finishes this year as he ranks second in the Delta Dwarf Car standings. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Danny Wagner finally met his match in the Delta Dwarf Cars last week. NorCal star Michael “Spanky” Grenert ended the two-race win streak for the two-time champion. Wagner still holds a 16-point lead over Devan Kammermann. 26 points back is Jack Haverty. He leads Chance Russell by 16 points in the battle for third, while David Rosa is 22 points behind him. Wagner’s team includes Kammermann, Haverty and sixth ranked Ellie Russo, who got her first win last season.

Kammermann has a knack for picking up podium finishes, and he has three of them this year. He had a second place finish at the opener. In reality, most of the drivers who take the green flag in this class have a legitimate shot at winning, and Kammermann may be the closest to being the next winner.

Wagner brings an extensive amount of experience with him, but he’s also imparting his knowledge to a newer group of races. Those drivers are getting better with each start.

The racing action is sure to be entertaining from start to finish this Saturday night. The grandstands will open at 4:00 pm with the first race firing off at 6:00 pm.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $15 for military, senior (60 and over) and children (under 11) with children five and under free.

The CoCo Farms Antioch Speedway racing calendar has some great events lined up from now through the end of November. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

In only his second start in the car, Zack Neeley #16z won the Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…April 16…Zack Neeley scored the win in the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was only his second ever start in the John Hendrickson owned car, and he had to withstand some serious pressure from Jacob Williams in the waning laps.

The race had multiple yellow flags before a lap was recorded, and two-time champion Dan Gonderman took the early lead ahead of Josh Gillis and Neeley. Neeley slipped into second on the fourth lap and made a Turn 2 pass on Gonderman for the lead a lap later. Jimmy Christian gained second with a Turn 4 pass on the sixth lap and set his sights on Neeley. Unfortunately, contact between Christian and Neeley on the front straightaway on Lap 8 left Christian with damage as the yellow flag waved. Neeley led Williams on the restart. A Lap 11 red flag waved after a tangle between Gonderman and Ethon Lanfri saw Lanni roll in Turn 4. Neeley continued to lead Williams and James East on the restart. Williams begin pressuring Neeley for the lead, and the duo went side by side on the 18th lap. Williams went low in Turn 4 as they worked the 19th lap. Williams appeared to make the winning pass, but a yellow flag waved for a Clint Motta spin in Turn 2. Neeley led the final restart and the remaining circuits to win ahead of Williams, East, Bernard and Gonderman.

NorCal star Michael “Spanky” Grenert #12n won the Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

NorCal Dwarf Car stat Michael “Spanky” Grenert won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. Grenert had to battle point leader Danny Wagner to get the lead. David Rosa took the early lead, only to surrender it to a low pass in Turn 3 by Dan Geil on the second lap. David Michael Rosa moved into the second spot a lap later. Devan Kammermann settled into third and made a low pass in Turn 4 on lap five for second. However, there was contact on the backstretch between Kammermann and Geil on Lap 9, allowing Grenert and Wagner to race by for the first two positions. An outside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 12 put Wagner into the lead, and David Michael Rosa lost a tire on the backstretch for a yellow flag moments later. Grenert made a big move on the restart that ended with him going low in Turn 4 to get the lead. It was close between the lead duo for a few laps, but Grenert would prevail at the checkered flag. Wagner settled for second ahead of Kammermann, Chance Russell and Geil.

Sage Bordenave #35x survived to the end to collect the victory in the WMR Midget Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Sage Boardenave won the 20 lap WMR Midget Main Event. The race had a few mishaps and was a battle of attrition. Local star Bryant Bell took the early lead ahead of Boardenave and Brody Petrie. The red flag waved after two laps when Logan Mitchell flipped in Turn 2. Bell continued to lead Boardenave and Petrie on the restart, but another red flag fell when Tyler Dolacki flipped in Turn 4 on Lap 4. Bell led Boardenave and Petrie on the next restart. Multi-time champion David Prickett headed for the pits, and Bell was slowed when he hit a rut going through Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 10. A lap later, Boardenave made a Turn 4 pass to get the lead with Petrie following intp second. Bell ended up pitting, and Boardenave got the win ahead of Petrie, Kyle Hawse, Bell and Prickett.

Reigning champion Tom Brown #3r won the Mini Stock Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tom Brown won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. The reigning Antioch and Petaluma champion settled into an early second behind the Dana Gardner, but a high pass in Turn 4 of the fifth lap gained Brown the lead. Brown pulled away a little bit on Gardner, leaving Shan Titman and Dan Abitz to battle for the third position. Abitz slowed on the backstretch on the 10th lap and would get lapped a couple of laps later. Brown was never really challenged after getting the lead and he won ahead of Gardner, Titman, Abitz and Laina Bales.

When five Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock drivers came out to do some practice laps, track officials elected to give them an exhibition race. Jason Robles won that 10 lapper. Robles led from the start ahead of Danny Aves and reigning champion Larry McKinzie Jr. Aves and McKinzie had a side-by-side battle for several laps before McKinzie gained second on Lap 6. Robles won ahead of McKinzie, Aves, Michael Mates and Angela Brown.

Next up on the CoCo Farms Calendar will be the Wingless Spec Sprints next Saturday night. Joining them will be the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results April 16 Antioch Speedway

Wingless Spec Sprints

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Ethon Lanfri, Jacob Williams.  Main Event (20 Laps) – Zack Neeley, Jacob Williams, James East, Tony Bernard, Dan Gonderman, Clint Motta, Steve Maionchi, Ethon Lanfri, Jimmy Christian, Josh Gillis.

Delta Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 Laps) – Michael “Spanky” Grenert, Danny Wagner, Jack Haverty.  Main Event (20 Laps) – Michael “Spanky” Grenert, Danny Wagner, Devan Kammermann, Chance Russell, Dan Geil, Jack Haverty, Isaak Geil, David Rosa, Brenden Shrum, Ellie Russo.

WMR Midgets

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Brody Petrie, Sage Bordenave.  Main Event (20 Laps) – Sage Bordenave, Brody Petrie, Kyle Hawse, Bryant Bell, David Prickett, Tyler Dolacki, John Bordenave, Gary Dunn, Logan Mitchell, Nate Wait.

Mini Stocks

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Tom Brown.  Main Event (20 laps) – Tom Brown, Dana Gardner, Shan Titman, Dan Abitz, Laina Bales.

Nick DeCarlo #17 increased his IMCA Modified point lead with his second win. Photo: Katrina Kniss

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…April 9…Nick DeCarlo won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. It was the second win of the season for the current point leader, and he overtook rookie Trevor Clymens to get the job done.

Clymens raced into the early lead ahead of Sean Wilson and Kenneth Robles. DeCarlo started deeper in the field, and Clymens had a straightaway advantage wiped out by a Lap 7 yellow flag. Clymens continued to lead Robles on the restart with DeCarlo already up to third. DeCarlo went around Robles on the frontstretch to take second on the ninth lap. DeCarlo was working the outside groove very well and made an outside pass on the backstretch on the 12th lap to take the lead from Clymens. A late yellow flag bunched the field on Lap 17, but it didn’t stop DeCarlo. As DeCarlo charged on ahead of everybody else, Aaron Crowell made an outside pass in Turn 4 to take second from Clymens. DeCarlo got the win ahead of Crowell, and Bobby Motts Jr beat Clymens back to the checkered flag in a drag race for third. Robles settled for fifth.

Ryan Smith #250 made a last-minute decision to travel up from Bakersfield to Antioch and won the Super Stock race. Photo: Katrina Kniss

Ryan Smith won an eventful 20 lap Super Stock Main Event. The division got a major boost when a race down south got canceled due to the weather, sending several drivers to Antioch Speedway. For the first 12 laps, Tri State Pro Stock Series star Richard Brace Jr led as Ryan.Smith and.Chris Smith battled with Jay Sears for the second position. A backstretch pass on Lap 13 gained Ryan Smith the lead. Sears and Brace battled fiercely for second until Sears headed pitside on Lap 17. Ryan Smith went on to win ahead of Brace, Jim Freethy, Jimmy Robbins and Chad Hammer.

Misty Welborn #75 picked up her third win in three starts in Hobby Stock competition. Photo: Katrina Kniss

Misty Welborn won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. On this occasion, she started on the front row and proceeded to lead all 20 laps in victory. Michaela Taylor gave chase early on before surrendering to Larry McKinzie Jr. When McKinzie had problems and stalled in Turn 1, he was clobbered in the rear end by Jewell Crandall for a Lap 9 yellow flag. Welborn led Taylor on the restart, leaving the battle for third. Aiden Ponciano held that position until being passed by Chris Long on Lap 18. Welborn won by a straightaway ahead of Taylor, Long, Taylor DeCarlo and Ponciano.

Troy Foulger #49 became the third different winner in three IMCA Stock Car races. Photo: Katrina Kniss

Troy Foulger won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. He started in the back as Anthony Giuliani took the early lead ahead of reigning champion Travis Dutra. Foulger got up to third very quickly and made an inside pass in Turn 4 on Lap 4 to take second. Foulger worked on reeling in Giuliani. The duo ran a couple of side-by-side laps before Foulger went low in Turn 2 on Lap 12 to take the lead. Giuliani had a mechanical issue on Lap 16 for a yellow flag. Foulger led Dutra and Jason Robles on the restart, and they would finish in that order as Jason Jennings and Joe Gallaher completed the Top 5.

Racing continues next Saturday night with a visit from the WMR Midgets and the season debut for the Wingless Spec Sprints. Also competing will be the Delta Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway April 9 Unofficial Race Results

IMCA Modifieds 

Trophy Dash (4 laps) – Aaron Crowell. Heat Winners (8 laps) – Kenneth Robles, Nick DeCarlo, Terry DeCarlo, Jr. Main Event (20 laps) – Nick DeCarlo, Aaron Crowell, Bobby Motts, Jr., Trevor Clymens, Kenneth Robles, Buddy Kniss, Troy Foulger, Terry DeCarlo, Jr., Terry DeCarlo, Sr., Gary Hylton.

Super Stocks

Trophy Dash (4 laps) – Jim Freethy. Heat Winners (8 laps) – Mike Walko, Jim Freethy. Main Event (20 laps) – Ryan Smith, Richard Brace, Jr., Jim Freethy, Jimmy Robbins, Chad Hammer, Jay Sears, Cody Smith, Michael Burch, Paul Hanley, Mike Walko.

IMCA Stock Car 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Travis Dutra, Troy Foulger. Main Event (20 laps) – Troy Foulger, Travis Dutra, Jason Robles, Jason Jennings, Joe Gallaher, Scott Foster, Dave Hill, Dan Gonderman, Anthony Giuliani.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Charlie Bryant, Chris Long. Main Event (20 laps) – Misty Welborn, Michela Taylor, Chris Long, Taylor DeCarlo, Aidan Ponciano, James Graessle, Jon Haney, Jess Paladino, Jewel Crandall, Danny Aves.

Kellen Chadwick #87 is second in IMCA Modified points as he contends for his first championship since 2006. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…Stock Car racing is the name of the game this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. In addition to the IMCA Modifieds, the IMCA Stock Cars will be back for their third appearance of the season, joined by the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and the Super Stocks. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season so far, and we’re just getting started.

The IMCA Modifieds have been a wide open battle. The three races held so far have found five-time champion Troy Foulger, Kellen Chadwick and Nick DeCarlo each taking a trip to the Winner’s Circle. The common denominator in the point battle is that DeCarlo and Chadwick, one-time Antioch champions themselves, have been in the hunt at every race.

The standings find DeCarlo leading Chadwick by just two points, while 2016 champion Bobby Motts, Jr. is eight points out of the lead in third.

We haven’t seen Chadwick really competing for points at the speedway in quite some time. As the second-generation competitor became faster, he chose to take his talents on the road to compete for bigger money at other venues. This has led to him winning prestigious races such as the Beads Shipwreck Nationals at Grays Harbor in Washington, the R Charles Snyder Salute in Oregon as well as other big races in California. Chadwick even won the big $7,000 prize in the West Coast Nationals at Antioch in 2019. When the money is on the line, Kellen comes up big.

Kellen Chadwick #87 is contending for wins in the #87 IMCA Stock Car. Photo by Katrina Kniss

When he was younger, Kellen was also a fast competitor in the Outlaw Kart divisions, and he instantly developed a love for race cars. A scary incident in a Late Model could have ended his life and his career, but Chadwick is a tough competitor. After he recovered, he not only returned, but he remains one of the best IMCA Modified drivers on the West Coast. He also competes in the new IMCA Stock Car class and is a contender for that championship, piloting a car for Rich Quadrelli.

IMCA is better known for their Modified divisions, but the Stock Car class is catching fire in California. The consistency shown by Chadwick after two events has him just four markers behind leader Fred Ryland and one ahead of reigning champion Travis Dutra. Anthony Giuliani has done well to rank just eight points out of lead and two ahead of Jason Robles, who got the win last time out. The Stock Cars are noteworthy for the side by side racing they’ve given the fans as this style of racing is just a little bit more thrilling than your average Hobby Stock race.

The Hobby Stocks are definitely delivering the excitement to the fans. Reigning division champion Larry McKinzie Jr could have ended up calling it a night after an incident between he and Jared Baugh in last week’s race. Larry restarted at the back of the pack. He kept at it and completed his charge to the front with a last lap pass on Ken Johns for second. The glory went to Misty Welborn, who scored a popular second career win. McKinzie now leads 2020 Mini Stock champion Jess Paladino by 14 points and Welborn by 18.

Michaela Taylor #71 is in the hunt for her first Hobby Stock Main Event win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Not to be forgotten in this battle are the tied Michaela Taylor and rookie Taylor DeCarlo, 22 points out of the lead. DeCarlo is the granddaughter of 80-year-old IMCA Modified competitor Terry DeCarlo Sr and the daughter of Top 5 Modified competitor Terry DeCarlo Jr. She’s been competing in Micro Sprints, but she decided to take on the challenge of the Hobby Stock and had a fifth place finish last time out.

Much like DeCarlo, Michaela Taylor is a threat to win. She showed just how much she has improved over the last two seasons with her run at the front of the pack in the Main Event for several laps last week. Michaela is driving the #71 Hobby Stock, made famous by her grandmother, Debbie Clymens. In fact, Debbie has run as a passenger with her, which means 17-year-old Taylor is getting advice from an Antioch Speedway Hall of Famer. The way she’s looking, a Main Event win could be in her future.

Mike Walko #13a has been racing at Antioch Speedway since 1982 and remains very competitive in a Super Stock. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Management has decided to give the Super Stock drivers an opportunity to rebuild the class. It was a little bit late notice for some of the drivers last time out, and reigning champion Jim Freethy beat 2020 champion Mike Walko to get the win. Walko has competed in Late Models and IMCA Modifieds at Antioch and did well in both divisions. Management has put out a call to drivers from neighboring Petaluma Speedway that they are welcome to come race with the Antioch competitors.

Local drivers Jimmy Robbins and Michael Burch are said to be preparing their cars to battle the likes of Chad Hammer and Joey Ridgeway Jr. Who might show up from Petaluma is unknown, but several drivers have expressed interest. Petaluma drivers have done well at Antioch in their visits through the years, and they certainly add to the excitement.

This Saturday night’s program starts with the gates opening at 3:00 pm. This is to accommodate a special $5 beer happy hour event at the south beer garden, which runs until 5:00 p.m. the first race will start at 6:00 pm.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $15 for military, senior (60 and over) and children (under 11) with children five and under free.

For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Five-time champion Troy Foulger #49 won the IMCA Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…April 2…Troy Foulger won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. He becomes the third different winner of the aeason as he piloted the Bowers Motorsports Modified to the win. Foulger is a five-time champion at the speedway.

Trevor Clymens led a pair of laps with the yellow flag waving twice. Clymens led Foulger on the Lap 3 restart, but a low pass in turn 2 a lap later gained Foulger the lead. Kellen Chadwick went low in Turn 4 on Lap 5 to take second with Nick DeCarlo quickly striking to third. Foulger had a straightaway advantage by Lap 10 as DeCarlo battled Chadwick to take second. DeCarlo finally grabbed the spot on a Lap 14 restart. Foulger was never really threatened as he won with DeCarlo holding off Chadwick for second. Buddy Kniss and Clymens completed the Top 5.

KC Keller #38 won an exciting battle for the IMCA Sport Modified victory. Photo by Katrina Kniss

KC Keller won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The race had to be restarted after a tangle that involved point leader Fred Ryland in Turn 4. 2019 champion Tommy Fraser took the early lead ahead of Dylan Connelly. Keller went low in Turn 2 to take second on the fourth lap and made an inside pass in Turn 4 three laps later to take the lead from Fraser. Andrew Pearce moved into second on Lap 9 before a yellow flag flew for Connolly. Keller led the restart with Jacob Mallet Jr moving past Pearce and into second. Mallet made a backstretch pass on Keller on Lap 11 for the lead. Pearce and Keller ran closely behind Mallet in the battle for second. A low pass in Turn 3 on Lap 19 put Keller into the lead with Pearce following into second. Keller went on to the impressive win with Pearce and Mallet running nose to tail behind him. Jeremy Hoff and Fraser completed the Top 5.

Misty Welborn #75 scored her second Hobby Stock win in three races. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Misty Welborn won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. It was her second win of the season. Looking for his second-straight win, Ken Johns led early ahead of Jared Baugh and Larry McKinzie Jr. A low move in Turn 4 on Lap 5 put Baugh into the lead. There was a back-and-forth battle for the lead as it changed hands a couple of times with Baugh still in front on Lap 8. Contact with McKinzie exiting Turn 4 on Lap 9 left Baugh stalled in Turn 2. Michaela Taylor led the restart with Welborn moving into second a lap later. Taylor spun exiting Turn 4 for a Lap 12 yellow flag. Welborn led Johns and Jeff Bentancourt on the restart. They ran that way until McKinzie gained third on Lap 16. As Welborn sped to the checkered flag, McKinzie beat Johns back to the line for second. Bentancourt and Taylor DeCarlo completed the Top 5.

Jim Freethy #99 won the Super Stock Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jim Freethy won the 15 lap Super Stock Main Main Event. Heat race winner Mike Walko jumped into the early lead ahead of reigning champion Freethy and Joey Ridgeway. A low move in Turn 4 of the second lap gained Freethy lead. The only slow down of the race occurred on the ninth lap when Ridgeway spun in Turn 4. Freethy continued to lead Walko and Chad Hammer on the restart. Freethy pulled away to about a quarter of a straightaway lead, and Walko brushed the Turn 4 wall on exit heading to the checkered flag. Freethy won ahead of Walko, Hammer and Ridgeway.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with IMCA Modifieds back in action along with IMCA Stock Cars, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and Super Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results Antioch Speedway – April 2, 2022

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Buddy Kniss, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps) – Troy Foulger, Nick DeCarlo, Kellen Chadwick, Buddy Kniss, Trevor Clymens, Bobby Motts Jr, Aaron Crowell, Chris Lewis, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Kenneth Robles.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Dylan Connelly, Andrew Pearce. Main Event (20 laps) – KC Keller, Andrew Pearce, Jacob Mallet Jr, Jeremy Hoff, Tommy Fraser, Fred Ryland, Kenny Shrader, Chester Knss, Tyler Browne, Jason Ryan Jr.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Charlie Bryant, Jeff Bentancourt, Misty Welborn. Main Event (20 laps) – Misty Welborn, Larry McKinzie Jr, Ken Johns, Jeff Bentancourt, Taylor DeCarlo, Jewel Crandall, Michaela Taylor, Jess Paladino, Gene Haney, Mitchell Dana.

Super Stocks

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Mike Walko. Main Event (15 laps) – Jim Freethy, Mike Walko, Chad Hammer, Joey Ridgeway.