Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Take BART to Fleet Week Air Show, Cal vs. Oregon State game this weekend

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Source: BART

By BART

Friday, Oct. 6 – This promises to be a busy weekend in the skies over the Bay Area as Fleet Week is back in San Francisco. BART is ready to help you get to the prime viewing locations for the air show.

BART is welcoming Fleet Week by offering longer and more frequent trains at night and on weekends throughout the festivities. This is the first Fleet Week that will benefit from BART’s reimagined schedule that was launched last month. Now riders will wait no more than 20 minutes on a station platform for a scheduled train. We are using only Fleet of the Future trains to fulfill our basic service plan so riders will enjoy a cleaner and safer BART experience. Many lines that have been served by 6-car trains will instead feature 8-car trains as we expand our capacity for riders going to Fleet Week.   

Saturday, Oct. 7: California Golden Bears vs Oregon State University Beavers at Memorial Stadium

There’s a great matchup at Memorial Stadium Saturday as Cal hosts the 15th ranked Oregon State University Beavers. It’s the Bears’ Homecoming game so a big crowd is expected. Kickoff is at 7pm. The Bears need only three more wins to become bowl eligible. BART is the best way to get to the game. In addition to our increased weekend service and the longer trains we’re running for Fleet Week, we’ll stage an event train to expand our capacity for fans.

See the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform during Fleet Week. Source: BART

Happy Riding this Weekend!     

We hope you enjoy your weekend adventures aboard our trains. For an in-depth listing of local events, visit the BARTable website. You can also keep up with BARTable on Facebook and Instagram.

Los Medanos College hires new athletic director

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Marty Storti joins LMC from Saint Mary’s College

Marty Storti is the new Los Medanos College Athletics Director. Source: LMC

Los Medanos College (LMC) is pleased to announce Marty Storti as Athletics Director, effective Oct. 2, 2023.

“Mr. Storti comes to us with a wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics administration” Vice President of Student Services Tanisha Maxwell said. “We are confident he will help elevate our sports and help our student athletes achieve their highest potential.”

Storti, who joins LMC after a career of more than 20 years as a coach and athletic administrator at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, said he is eager to work with student athletes at the community college level.

“At Saint Mary’s, I designed the recruiting protocols for Club Athletics that included transfer students. We engaged and helped many community college athletes navigate the admissions and financial aid processes,” he said. “LMC, as a feeder school to UC Davis and Berkeley and other great universities, gives student athletes a unique opportunity with a unique set of support systems to help them win and graduate.”

Over the course of his tenure at Saint Mary’s College, Storti managed numerous areas within the athletic department, including human resources, strategic planning, and program assessment. In his role, Storti oversaw athletic camps, campus recreation, event management, facilities, sports medicine, and strength and conditioning. He also served as the sports supervisor for several teams, which included baseball, cross country, track, men’s golf, women’s rowing, men’s soccer, and softball.

“LMC is an attractive opportunity, given its potential for growth in the athletics, from increasing the number of sponsored sports to increasing the number of student athletes. We will demonstrate how important student-athletes can be to the institution and the broader community,” he said. “Sports at LMC can be that light that guides more students toward higher education and long-term success.”

As assistant vice president for Club Athletics, Storti spearheaded a departmental rebranding initiative for recruiting and revenue generation. Under his leadership, Storti introduced a student-athlete council and devised a comprehensive student leadership development program. His oversight resulted in a notable rise in student-athlete applications and enrollments. He led successful revenue-generating initiatives, which led to increases in facility rentals, camp revenue, ticket sales, and annual fundraising.

Under his administrative leadership, several of Saint Mary’s teams achieved national success. Storti was the men’s soccer sport administrator when they participated in the 2011 NCAA tournament, where they reached the elite eight. He served as the lead administrator for men’s rugby, contributing to their historic achievements by securing USA Rugby D1A (highest level) National Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016 (7s), and 2017.

Storti earned his master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Mary’s College.

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

 

Hannagan wins thrilling Chet Thomson Memorial Race at Antioch Speedway

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Joel Hannagan #16 won his fourth-straight Chet Thomson Memorial Hardtop race as he gets closer to the championship. Photo by Candice Martin

Fuson, Learn, Rosa, Richardson also win

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…September 30…Making a late move around Mike Gillard of Atwater, San Jose’s Joel Hannagan won the 20 lap Hardtop Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the 21st running of the Chet Thomson Memorial Hardtop race and the fourth-straight win for Hannagan in that event aboard the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog. This was also his sixth win of the season as he maintains the point lead.

Three-time Sportsman champion Rick Elliott of Merced started on the second row and bolted into the early lead ahead of Brad Coelho of Oakley and Gillard. Gillard made an inside pass on Coelho with Hannagan also getting by on the inside in Turn 4. A yellow flag waved on Lap 4. On the restart, Gillard charged past Elliott for the lead. Elliott took an infield excursion on Lap 5 with Hannagan now second ahead of Mike Friesen of Atwater. The battle soon found the leaders working through slower traffic, and those drivers were having side by side races of their own.

Gillard managed to thread the needle between slower cars a couple of times before a yellow flag waved for a Les Warkentin of Atwater spin in Turn 4 on the 10th lap. Gillard continued to lead Hannagan and Friesen on the restart. The pressure was on Gillard as they were soon in slower traffic once again. Hannagan made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the 15th lap to grab the lead from Gillard. Gillard kept it close, but Hannagan prevailed at the checkered flag. Friesen ended up third, followed by two-time Chet Thomson Memorial winner Jason Armstrong of El Dorado and Don Slaney of Martinez.

Mike Gillard #17 picked up a win in a rare Trophy Dash for the Hardtop division. Photo by Candice Martin

Brody Fuson of Bakersfield won the 30 lap USAC Western States Midgets Main Event. This was the fifth win of the season for Fuson as he nudges closer to the series championship with one more point event remaining.

Fuson started on the second row outside, but he managed to grab the lead at the start ahead of Michael Faccinto of Hanford and championship contender Cade Lewis of Bakersfield. They maintained that order throughout the first half of the race before Faccinto stalled on the back straightaway for a Lap 17 yellow flag. Fuson led Lewis and Caden Sarale of Stockton on the restart. Fuson maintained a good pace down the stretch and prevailed at the checkered flag ahead of Lewis, Sarale, previous Antioch winner TJ Smith of Fresno and Brandon Wiley of Santa Maria.

Point leader Mike Learn #11 won his fourth-straight Super Stock Main Event. Photo by Candice Martin

Point leader Mike Learn a Petaluma collected his fourth-straight Super Stock Main Event win as he closes in on the championship. Learn has already won the championship at Petaluma Speedway this season and was the inaugural Tri State Pro Stock title winner as well. A spin in the Trophy Dash saw Learn hand the victory in that race to Donnie Richardson of Antioch.

Donnie Richardson #2a scored a surprise win in the Super Stock Trophy Dash. Photo by Candice Martin

Learn bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Richardson and Steve Studebaker of Santa Rosa. Richardson slowed and headed for the pits on Lap 3 as multi time Petaluma champion Mitch Machado of Rohnert Park got around Studebaker for second. As Learn pulled away from the pack, Machado and Studebaker engaged in an intense, side by side battle for second.

Machado pushed in Turn 4 with Studebaker going by on the inside to grab second on Lap 14. The two continued a close battle with contact sending them both spinning in Turn 4 for a Lap 15 yellow flag. Learn led Machado and Studebaker on the restart. Studebaker went low in Turn 2 on Lap 17 to grab second as Machado pushed. Knightson’s Ryan Cherezian also got past Machado for third on Lap 19. Learn went on to win ahead of Studebaker, Cherezian, Machado and Richardson.

David Michael Rosa #7 won his second-straight Delta Dwarf Car Main Event in the Roberto Monroy owned #7 car. Photo by Candice Martin

David Michael Rosa picked up his third win of the season in Delta Dwarf Car 20 lap Main Event action. This was also the second-straight win for Rosa aboard the Roberto Monroy owned entry.

2020 champion Travis Day of Concord set the early pace ahead of Rosa, and a yellow flag waved as Rosa got around Day for the lead on Lap 3. David Michael Rosa led Day and David Rosa of Antioch on the restart. Day did his best, but Rosa seemed to have it hooked up well once he got the lead. There were a few spins for yellow flags, but David Michael Rosa would lead Day on each ensuing restart as they scored the 1-2 finish. David Rosa ended up third ahead of Joe LeDuc of Tracy.

Up next will be the Third Annual Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Nationals this Friday and Saturday night. The Saturday program sees the Hobby Stocks racing for a $3,000 first prize. Joining them that night will be a Figure 8 and 600 Micro Sprints. For further information, go to www.raceantiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results

Hardtops
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jason Armstrong, Joel Hannagan, Mike Gillard. Trophy Dash (4 laps)-Mike Gillard. Main Event (20 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Mike Gillard, Mike Friesen, Jason Armstrong, Don Slaney, Rick Elliott, Gary Hildebrand, Joe Shenefield, Mario Romano, Les Warkentin.

USAC Western States Midgets

FT Brandon Wiley 13.963. Heat Winners (10 laps)-Cade Lewis, Ben Worth. Main Event (20 laps)-Brody Fuson, Cade Lewis, Caden Sarale, TJ Smith, Brandon Wiley, CJ Sarna, Nikko Panella, Samuel May, Ben Covich, Ron Hazleton.

Super Stocks
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Mike Learn, Steve Studebaker. Trophy Dash (4 laps)-Donnie Richardson. Main Event (20 laps)-Mike Learn, Steve Studebaker, Ryan Cherezian, Mitch Machado, Donnie Richardson, Richard Vander Ploeg, Joey Ridgeway DNS, John Evans DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars

Heat Winner (8 laps)-David Michael Rosa. Main Event (20 laps)-David Michael Rosa, Travis Day, David Rosa, Joe LeDuc.

 

As Pittsburg faces Target store closure, new sports complex breaks ground

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Rendering of Discovery Homes Dream Courts.

Discovery Homes, City celebrate “Discovery Homes Dream Courts”

By Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

As Pittsburg reacts to the news of Target’s closing, there’s another story unfolding: Discovery Homes’ groundbreaking of the “Dream Courts” sports complex. In times when one major entity is stepping back, another is significantly investing in our community’s future.

This juxtaposition — a company departing versus another doubling down on Pittsburg — offers a balanced narrative.

Discovery Homes, in partnership with the city of Pittsburg, is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of the much-anticipated “Dream Courts” – a state-of- the-art, 41,000 square foot multi-court sports complex in Pittsburg. This landmark initiative embodies the spirit of collaboration and community commitment toward fostering sports, wellness, and communal activities.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday morning, September 26, 2023, at John Henry Johnson Park on W. Leland Road, with a host of city dignitaries, and community leaders in attendance.

Albert Seeno, III, city officials and Discovery Homes staff participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Dream Courts in Pittsburg, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Source: Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

Situated at the park, the Discovery Homes Dream Courts are set to redefine the city’s sports infrastructure, providing residents and sports enthusiasts alike with world-class facilities and amenities. Designed meticulously with the latest in sports technology, the courts promise to offer a premier sporting experience.

“I am thrilled to see the construction of the Dream Courts begin,” said Mayor Shanelle Scales-Preston. “This project headlines the immense efforts of my colleagues on the City Council and I to bring new opportunities to the youth and young adults in our Pittsburg community. We are also greatly appreciative to Discovery Homes for their efforts and contributions to see this project come to life.”

“Building homes has always been about creating spaces where memories are made and communities flourish. With the Dream Courts, we’re extending our philosophy to public spaces. It’s more than just courts—it’s a vision for an energetic, communal, and vibrant Pittsburg,” Albert Seeno III of Discovery Homes stated. “Our commitment at Discovery Homes has always been to enhance the lives of the residents in the communities we serve, and the Dream Courts are a testament to that pledge.”

Discovery Homes Dream Courts Site Plan.

“We are excited about the potential that the Discovery Homes Dream Courts bring to Pittsburg,” said Wolfgang Croskey, CEO of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will this complex boost our city’s sports infrastructure, but it will also create jobs, promote wellness, and be a hub of community events and gatherings.”

“This is an exciting day for our youth and community as we break ground on this state-of-the-art facility,” said Jelani Killings, Pittsburg City Council member, “Dream Courts represents our commitment to providing safe and inspiring spaces where our youth can develop their talents, build character, and pursue their dreams. Let this groundbreaking be the start of a new era of opportunity and excellence for our youth.”

Discovery Homes, known for their track record of excellence and innovation in development, are the visionaries behind the construction. “We’re honored to be part of this monumental project with the City of Pittsburg. We have been and continue to be a close partner with the City of Pittsburg on many exciting development projects now and for years to come. Discovery Homes Dream Courts exemplifies the City’s commitment to providing recreational opportunities for Pittsburg residents and is rooted in the belief of creating spaces that bind communities together. We are proud to participate in bringing this exciting recreational amenity to the City of Pittsburg,” comments Louis Parsons, President of Discovery Homes.

Highlights of the Discovery Homes Dream Courts:

  1. Multiple courts catering to various sports, including basketball, volleyball, and more.
  2. Environmentally friendly construction materials promoting sustainability.
  3. Spaces designated for community events, workshops, and training sessions.

To learn more about the Discovery Homes Dream Courts project please contact Jordan Davis at the City of Pittsburg at jdavis@pittsburgca.gov.

About Discovery Homes

With a legacy spanning over decades, Discovery Homes has been creating exceptional residential communities that are thoughtfully designed and built with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Rooted in values of integrity, craftsmanship, and innovation, Discovery Homes continues to set benchmarks in the homebuilding industry.

About the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

The Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to fostering business growth, community development, and networking opportunities in Pittsburg. Our mission is to empower businesses and communities to thrive by offering resources, advocacy, and collaborative initiatives.

 

Sarale wins Bock Memorial at Antioch Speedway 

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Caden Sarale #14 won the Doug Bock Memorial race for the BCRA Midgets. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Johns, Wagner, Davis, Land, Hannagan also winners

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…August 26…Caden Sarale of Stockton won the 30 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. When long time car owner Doug Bock recently passed away, it was decided to make this a memorial race in his honor, and it was also the second leg of the Triple Crown Series for the group.

Sarale jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Danika Jo Parker of Oakdale and Ben Worth of Coalinga. On the fourth lap, the race came to a grinding halt when David Gasper of Santa Barbara flipped in Turn 4. Before the race even restarted, the USAC Midgets regular was able to rejoin the field at the back of the pack after quick repairs. Sarale continued to lead Parker on the restart, but Worth moved into second on Lap 6.

The leaders caught heavy traffic by the 10th circuit, but the smooth driving Sarale held a straightaway advantage ahead of Worth at that point. Nikko Panella of Stockton slipped past Parker for second on Lap 17, but a yellow flag negated the pass. Sarale continued to lead Worth and Parker on the restart, but Panella moved into third by Lap 19. Moments later, Worth stalled in Turn 2 for a yellow flag as his race came to an end.

Blaine Craft #35 came to rest next to the fence after his wild ride out the Turn 1 exit gate saw him flip over the K rail. He was not injured. Photo by Candice Martin

Sarale led Panella and the resurgent Gasper on the restart. However, a red flag waved on Lap 21 after a scary incident with another car sent Blaine Craft of Elk Grove out the Turn 1 exit gate, over the K rail and into the fence. Fortunately, he was not injured. Sarale continued to lead Panella and Gasper on the restart. Gasper was pressuring Panella for second before making the move on Lap 27. However, nobody was stopping Sarale as he sped home to victory ahead of Gasper, Panella, Blake Bower of Brentwood and Bryant Bell of Oakley.

Ken Johns #32 maintained his hold on second in points with his second Hobby Stock feature triumph. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Ken Johns won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. This was his second win of the season as he maintains second in the championship standings.

Colten Haney of Brentwood set the early pace ahead of Kevin Brown of Oakley and Johns. Aidan Ponciano of Oakley briefly got by Johns for third, but Johns reclaimed the spot on Lap 3. Johns slipped past Brown for second on the sixth lap and made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 8 to take the lead from Haney. Hard charging Danny Wagner of Bay Point moved into fourth on Lap 6 after an opening lap spin and settled into third two laps later.

Wagner overtook Haney for second in Turn 2 on Lap 9. Chris Long of Antioch moved into third on Lap 12 as Wagner was pressuring Johns for the lead. Wagner made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 17 to take over, only to see his pass negated by a yellow flag involving point leader Grayson Baca of Brentwood.

Johns led the restart, but Wagner went low in Turn 1 on Lap 18 to again claim the lead. Wagner spun in Turn 1 with mechanical issues. Johns led the final restart and won ahead of Long, Ponciano, the resurgent Baca and Brown.

Danny Wagner #11 picked up his third Delta Dwarf Car Main Event victory. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner of Bay Point won his third 20 lap Main Event of the season in thrilling fashion. The recently crowned South Bay Dwarf Car champion made a last lap pass on point leader Chance Russell of Antioch to steal the victory.

The Dwarf Cars had a non-stop affair with Russell charging out to the early lead ahead of Wagner. Russell and Wagner began to pull ahead as Sean Catucci of Brentwood settled into third. Antioch’s David Michael Rosa moved into fourth and enjoyed a good battle with Catucci before getting by. As the race hit the stretch run, Wagner began to put serious pressure on Russell.

The leaders caught slower traffic on Lap 18 with Wagner making an outside pass in Turn 2 to briefly grab second. However, Russell went motoring ahead down the back straightaway. As the leaders hit the final turn, Wagner made his move on the inside and beat Russell back to line in a drag race for the thrilling victory. Rosa ended up third ahead of Catucci and Eric Weisler of Campbell.

Tom Davis #75 scored his eighth win of the season in the West Coast Sport Compact race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tom Davis of Los Molinos won the 20 Lap House of Juju West Coast Sport Compact Main Event. This was his eighth win of the season at the track and first on the tour.

Austin Sprague of Merced took the early lead ahead of Chris Corder of Modesto and Tony Quinonez of Corning. Davis got past Quinonez for third on the second lap and slipped past Corder for second on Lap 3. Davis put the moves on Sprague in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to grab the lead. Reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa gained third on Lap 8 and set his sights on Sprague. Brown finally got by on Lap 16 with a Turn 4 pass. However, Davis had a comfortable advantage by then as he went on to victory. Sprague settled for third ahead of Dan Myrick of Coalinga and Corder.

Matt Land #91 made a late move to win the BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Matt Land of Elk Grove won the BCRA Lightning Sprint 20 lap Main Event with a late move around Series point leader Dakota Albright of Waterford. Albright broke the point lead wide open when rival Greg Dennett of Livermore scratched prior to the Main Event.

Albright took the early lead ahead of Land rookie Jason Schostag of Diamond Springs. On the 12th lap, Land spun in Turn 4 to fall back the third, but Schostag stalled at the Turn 1 exit gate for a yellow flag. On the restart, Land began to pressure Albright before making an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 19 to take the lead. Land scored the thrilling victory ahead of Albright and Schostag.

Joel Hannagan drove the Junkyard Dog #16 Hardtop to his fifth win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Joel Hannagan of San Jose won the 15 lap Hardtop Main Event. This was the fifth win of the season for the point leader aboard the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog.

Brad Coello of Oakley took the early lead in the Tommy Thomson owned car, but Hannagan raced by on the inside down the front stretch a lap later to take over. Hannagan set a rapid pace and stretched his advantage to half a lap over Coelho by the time the race was over. Joe Shenefield of Modesto ended up third ahead of Ken Clifford of Antioch.

David Amsted and Jim DeJong brought their Vintage Midgets for some exhibition laps. The cars are a throwback to what represented the BCRA Midget class in the 1940s and 1950s.

The track takes a break for Labor Day weekend and returns on September 8th and 9th with the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour. On September 15th and 16th, it will be Hall of Fame weekend with two nights of racing. For further information, go to http://www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – August 26, 2023

BCRA Midgets

FT-Ben Worth 14.298. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Ben Worth, Caden Sarale, Blake Bower. Main Event (30 laps)-Caden Sarale, David Gasper, Nikko Panella, Blake Bower, Bryant Bell, Danika Jo Parker, Michael Snider, Anthony Bruno, Marvin Mitchell, Floyd Alvis.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Aidan Ponciano, Chris Long. Main Event (20 laps)-Ken Johns, Chris Long, Aidan Ponciano, Grayson Baca, Kevin Brown, Breanna Troen, Charlie Bryant, Jess Paladino, Maddie Motts, John Keith.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (6 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (15 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Brad Coello, Joe Shenefield, Ken Clifford, Bob Slaney DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Wagner, David Michael Rosa. Main Event (20 laps)-Danny Wagner, Chance Russell, David Michael Rosa, Sean Catucci, Eric Weisler, Travis Day, Devan Kammermann, Mark Biscardi, David Rosa, Elie Russo.

BCRA Lightning Sprints

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Greg Dennett. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt Land, Dakota Albright, Jason Schostag, Greg Dennett DNS, Chris Crowder DNS.

House of Juju West Coast Sport Compacts

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tom Brown, Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tom Brown, Austin Sprague, Dan Myrick, Chris Corder, Tony Quinonez, Gene Glover, Kevin Thompson, Josh Applebaum, Rick Berry.

Contra Costa drivers Clymens, Foulger, Wagner, DeCarlo claim Antioch Speedway wins

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Trevor Clymens #2c kept his IMCA Sport Modified title hopes alive with his first win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Davis also winner

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…August 19…Trevor Clymens of Brentwood won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The first win of the season for Clymens kept his championship hopes alive.

Dylan Connelly of Antioch set the early pace ahead of Clymens and Billy Garner of Antioch. Kenny Shrader of Pacheco slipped past Garner for third with an inside pass on Lap 5, and Garner spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 7 yellow flag. Connelly led the restart with Shrader slipping past Clymens for second. An inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 10 put incoming point leader Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley into third. The intense battle for second saw Clymens get past Shrader on Lap 14, but Shrader made an inside pass on Clymens on Lap 15 to reclaim second.

Undaunted, Clymens went around the outside and made a big move to take the lead from Connelly in Turn 4 on Lap 17. Clymens maintained a good pace and ran smoothly down the stretch to claim the much needed victory. Connelly settled for second ahead of Shrader, Tanner Thomas of Turlock and Jacob Mallet, Jr. of Oakley.

Troy Foulger #49 collected his fourth IMCA Modified feature win as he closes in on the division championship. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Troy Foulger of Oakley won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the current point leader aboard the Bowers Motorsports owned entry.

Josh Combs of Roseville set the early pace ahead of Andrew Pearce of Oakley, but an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 3 put Foulger into second. Foulger slowly reeled in Combs and made an inside pass on the front stretch of the ninth lap to take the lead. Pearce was next to run down Combs, finally making an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 18 to claim the runner-up spot. However, nobody was stopping Foulger as he won ahead of Pearce, Combs, Chris Sieweke of Santa Rosa and Terry DeCarlo Sr of Martinez.

Tom Davis #75 (center) closes in on the Print Club Mini Stock title with his seventh win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tom Davis of Los Molinos won his seventh Print Club Mini Stock Main Event. This was the Mini Stock Mayhem race with purse money greatly increased for the occasion thanks to a fundraising effort by Laina Bales. Point leader Davis was piloting the Delbert Rios owned entry.

The race had to be restarted after Kelly Campanile spun on the front straightaway and was hit by Wyatt Lakin of Diamond Springs. Davis led Rick Berry of Modesto after that. Daniel Bond of Oakdale settled into third and made an inside pass on Berry for second on a Lap 8 restart. The leaders caught slower traffic, which proved to be the undoing of Bond when Brycen Bragg of Placerville spun in Turn 4 on Lap 15 and collected him for a yellow flag.

Davis led Berry and Tyler Applebaum of Antioch on the restart. However, Patrick Kelley of Clovis slipped past Applebaum for third on Lap 18. Tony Quinonez of Corning made a late surge from an earlier yellow flag. Davis pulled away to victory with Quinonez crossing the line second ahead of Berry, Kelly and Applebaum.

Reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner #11dd returned and won their Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Danny Wagner of Bay Point won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. It made a clean sweep weekend for the reigning champion, who won at Watsonville the night before.

Wagner led fiance Ellie Russo of Bay Point on the start with Pete Piantanida of Discovery Bay running third. Piantanida made a Turn 4 pass on Russo for second on Lap 2 with Dublin’s Devan Kammermann making an inside pass on Turn 4 for third on Lap 3. Russo came back strong on the outside in Turn 2 a lap later, but the tenacious Kammermann made another inside pass in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to reclaim third. A yellow flag waved for a Turn 4 tangle between Russo and Chris Durden of Hollister on Lap 8.

Wagner led Piantanida and Kammermann on the restart. Championship contenders Kammermann and Chance Russell of Antioch battled fiercely for the third position. However, Kammermann began to pull away as the race wore on. Barrett Gooch III of Anderson spun on the back stretch for a Lap 19 yellow flag. Wagner led Piantanida and Kammermann on the restart and they finished in that order with Russell and Gooch completing the Top 5.

Nick DeCarlo #17 won a close battle for the IMCA Stock Car feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Nick DeCarlo of Martinez won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event ahead of Raymond Noland of Porterville. DeCarlo led most of the way until Noland made an inside move with two laps to go. DeCarlo came back strong on the inside on the final lap and won a photo finish against Noland.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with the second round of the Triple Threat Series for the BCRA Midgets. BCRA Lightning Sprints and Vintage Midgets will also be in action along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, West Coast Sport Compacts, Delta Dwarf Cars and Hardtops. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – August 19, 2023

IMCA Sport Modifieds 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Kenny Shrader, Dylan Connelly. Main Event (20 laps)-Trevor Clymens, Dylan Connelly, Kenny Shrader, Tanner Thomas, Jacob Mallet Jr, Joseph Pato, Billy Garner, Jason Ryan Jr, Mark Garner, Dutch Jantz.

IMCA Modifieds 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Buddy Kniss. Main Event (25 laps)-Troy Foulger, Andrew Pearce, Josh Combs, Chris Sieweke, Terry DeCarlo Sr., Buddy Kniss.

Delta Dwarf Cars 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Wagner, Pete Piantanida. Main Event (20 laps)-Danny Wagner, Pete Piantanida, Devan Kammermann, Chance Russell, Barrett Gooch III, David Rosa, Justin Bingman, Joe LeDuc, Ellie Russo, Chris Durden.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Rick Berry, Tom Davis. Trophy Dash (4 laps)-Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tony Quinonez, Rick Berry, Patrick Kelley, Josh Applebaum, Daniel Bond, Logan Lakin, William Fogle, Brycen Bragg, David Carson.

IMCA Stock Cars 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Raymond Noland. Main Event (20 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Raymond Noland, Andrew Pearce DNS.

Payton Perspective: Mt. Diablo school board renaming Concord High mascot from Minuteman to Bears ignores history

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Concord High marquee showing the Minutemen mascot and the gym sign reading “Home of the Minutemen”. Photos courtesy of The Pioneer.

Follows lead of City, Concord Historical Society

Irony: only a British encyclopedia website offers the historical origin of the name of both the city and school

Contact school board members to reconsider their vote, or vote out two of them, next year

By Allen D. Payton

This past week, the Mt. Diablo Unified School Board voted 4-1 to change the name of the mascot for Concord High School from the Minutemen to the Bears, supposedly in response to a request by students, which is in dispute. According to a news report by The Pioneer, the change has many people upset including some students who say they weren’t asked during the process, as well as alumni.

“Several alumni spoke before the board vote, all in opposition to the change. One of those speakers mentioned that of 2,400 comments on the issue in an online forum there was not one comment in favor of the change.” Board members took “the action in order to make the school ‘more welcoming and inclusive’ to its students”, according to The Pioneer’s report.

According to USHistory.org, “Minutemen were a small hand-picked elite force which were required to be highly mobile and able to assemble quickly. Minutemen were selected from militia muster rolls by their commanding officers. Typically, 25 years of age or younger, they were chosen for their enthusiasm, reliability, and physical strength. Usually about one quarter of the militia served as Minutemen, performing additional duties as such. The Minutemen were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle. By the time of the Revolution, Minutemen had been a well-trained force for six generations.”

They sound like pretty good examples for students at any school or any American to follow – elite, prepared, ready, responsive, enthusiastic, reliable, with physical strength and the first to arrive.

According to the staff report for the board meeting agenda item, “Concord High School, through the New Mascot Student Committee, is requesting the review and approval of a mascot change at Concord High School. The Student Body has conducted multiple petitions, town hall meetings, as well as conducted multiple rounds of student discussions and voting over several months, involving all stakeholders of the Concord High School community including students, alumni and staff. As a result of the discussions and multiple rounds of student voting, the Concord High School community has selected the mascot name ‘The Bears’ to replace the name ‘Minutemen’ as presented to the Board on May 10, 2023 and June 28, 2023.”

Supposedly, one of the reasons is because the “Latinx” students (the “woke” term they were referred to during the board meeting even though most Hispanic or Latino Americans don’t use that term to describe themselves) which make up the majority of the student body don’t share that culture.

The Pioneer article shares more about the decision. School Board Area 4 Trustee Cherise “Khaund said, ‘The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Governing Board is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in education. We as a school district should listen carefully to student concerns, especially if they feel unwelcome or unsafe on our campuses.’ She also pointed to MDUSD board policy 0410 which states that ‘District programs and activities shall also be free of any racially derogatory or discriminatory school or athletic team names, mascots, or nicknames.’”

Girls in the Concord High Marching Band wear the same three-cornered hats and uniforms as the boys do in a parade at Disneyland on April 22, 2022. Source: Nelida Pulido on Facebook.

How is the Minutemen mascot racially derogatory or discriminatory? Because it refers to only men? Seriously? The women didn’t fight in the militia during the Revolutionary War in the 1770’s. How ignorant of history do you have to be to not understand that fact? How patronizing and actually racist to assume Latino students aren’t aware of or know the history of our country, or that it’s not part of their “culture”? If that’s truly the case, then work to make it part of their culture. Why do you think their ancestors who weren’t born here, came to this country? For the freedoms won during the Revolutionary War and the opportunities they afford.

Interestingly enough, girls in the school’s marching band wear the same three-cornered hat and uniform as the boys do.

How do any students feel “unwelcome or unsafe” with the Minutemen mascot? Nobody on any of the school’s sports teams, cheerleading squads, in the band nor any faculty or staff member actually carries a real musket or any other gun on the campus. Do they? Of course, not. (Well, maybe security personnel do. But that’s doubtful.)

Name Change Originated with Teachers, Not Students

Yet, while explaining the history of both the original name and its change, The Pioneer claims the proposal for a new mascot came from teachers not students.

“The name Minutemen was chosen as the mascot when the school opened in 1966 in honor of the men who formed the Minutemen militia in Concord, Massachusetts as the American Revolution was beginning in 1775,” the report reads. “The Pioneer first spoke to former Concord High principal Rianne Pfaltzgraff during the 2020-21 school year when she stated she had a discussion with some of her teachers when the idea was brought up that ‘Minutemen’ refers to only one gender and the symbol holding a rifle is not reflective of the school in the third decade of the 21st Century. At that time, it was not mentioned that students had brought the issue forward.”

Source: MDUSD

Board Votes Switch from 2-2 to 4-1

The board vote on June 28 to change the mascot name failed on a two-two tie with Trustee Khaund absent. But then with her in attendance at the board meeting on August 16 and Area 2 Trustee Linda Mayo flip-flopping, the mascot name change passed 4-1.

Decision Ignores and Attempts to Erase U.S. History

Whatever the reasons, the fact is the decision completely ignores our nation’s undisputed history.

It also shows the board’s disinterest in actually educating the students who attend the school about the rich history of the name of both the city in which it is located and the school itself, as well as what the Minutemen signify in the history of our nation, as shared by The Pioneer. They helped us win our freedom from the King of England and beat the British troops in the Revolutionary War! Hello?

Concord High Marching Band at Disneyland on April 22, 2022, with the Drum Major carrying a replica of a musket. Source: Nelida Pulido on Facebook.

Army National Guard logo with Minuteman.

Heaven forbid the Minutemen carried guns. Well, what do you think helped them fight and win the war? What do you think helped all of our military men and women fight and defeat the enemies in all the wars we’ve ever won? Guns! It was accomplished by bearing arms, as it’s written in the Second Amendment of the 10 Bill of Rights to the Constitution – another historical fact that should be taught to high school students. (I hope it still is during U.S. History classes in both 8th and 11th grades). That amendment mentions the militia as it reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Another interesting fact is the Drum Major of the Concord High Marching Band carries a replica of a musket while leading the band – even as of last year while in a parade at Disneyland.

Even today’s Army National Guard logo is of a Minuteman.

The School Board is Not Alone, Ironic Source for Name Origin

Yet, the school board is not alone in ignoring and even appearing to bury and hide the history of the origin of the name of both the city and school. The most ironic thing about this entire matter is, you have to find the origin of the name Concord, California on a British encyclopedia website. No joke!

On Britannica.com about Concord, California it reads, “the city was renamed in 1869 for Concord, Massachusetts.” For those who don’t remember their U.S. History classes, as The Pioneer reported, that was the city where the American Revolution began. (I learned as an adult after I bought a set, that the Encyclopedia Britannica is written from a British perspective, and at that time didn’t even include Niagra Falls as something important to Americans, while the Encyclopedia Americana is written from an American perspective).

But you won’t find that origin fact on the History page of the City’s website, the Concord Historical Society’s website nor even on the Wikipedia page about the city. The City’s website only provides links to other websites without mentioning anything about the city’s history. On the historical society’s concordhistory.com website’s chronology page, under the section entitled, “1860’s: Todos Santos Town Established”, it merely reads, “Name ‘Concord’ is used immediately by new settlers to re-identify town of Todos Santos.” On the Early History page it reads, “Within months after Todos Santos has been recorded as the official name, CONCORD was heralded by the Contra Costa Gazette as the actual name. In an article dated April 17, 1869, the paper, published in Pacheco town, congratulated the residents of Concord for adopting such a meaningful name for their new village. They highlighted the harmonious spirit and euphony of this fine name.” But there’s no mention of the origin of the name nor why it was so “meaningful”.

Concord Massachusetts Location of “Shot Heard Round the World”

Also, for an additional history reminder, it was during the battles of Concord and Lexington, Mass. on April 19, 1775, where the opening shot, referred to as the “shot heard round the world”, sparked the American Revolutionary War.

The Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French erected in1875 in Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts. Source: City of Concord, MA

In fact, in Concord, Mass. is The Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French erected in 1875 and located in Minute Man National Historical Park, which looks a lot like the Concord High Minutemen mascot.

Board Spending $200K on Name Change

Oh, one more thing. The board is literally going to spend, actually waste, $200,000 of taxpayer money on the mascot name change at a time those funds could be spent in the classroom to actually help students obtain a better education – and maybe learn some U.S. history. The three-corrnered hats worn by the marching band members will have to be replaced, as they represent the hats worn by the Minutemen during the Revolutionary War. (That’s the same type of hat I wore as part of the uniform for the band I was a member of during my first semester in high school – the Marching Patriots of Patrick Henry High School in San Diego. As of last year, in front of the school, the mascot could still be seen wearing the three-cornered hat and – surprise – holding a musket with even a bayonet attached! Oh, and a painting of the American flag on the front wall could also be seen. Hope that doesn’t offend the four school members’ delicate sensibilities).

San Diego’s Patrick Henry High School mascot with musket in photo taken on Sept. 29, 2022. Courtesy of Margarito G. Perez on Facebook.

Their action follows the cancel culture decisions in professional sports to rename teams that some oversensitive people have found offensive – usually on behalf of others, such as the Washington Redskins to the Commanders. Guess what? Now, a group of Native Americans are petitioning to get the name changed back because they believe it honors rather than degrades them and promotes their history.

School Board Must Reconsider Their Vote

The board must reconsider its vote and spend the $200,000 educating the students at Concord High on the history of the school’s and city’s name and of our nation, and how the Minutemen played a significant role in obtaining the freedoms we enjoy, today – including property ownership and representative government in our constitutional republic.

If not, then Mt. Diablo School district voters need to replace the four who voted for this foolishness and who are failing their students by not educating them properly. Shame on those board members, especially the one who changed her vote, Trustee Mayo who caved between the meetings of June 28 and August 16, for some reason. Kudos to the one board member, Area 1 Trustee Debra Mason, who used wisdom and demonstrated having a backbone to stand up for common sense by voting both times against the change. (By the way, Common Sense is the name of the pamphlet published in 1775 by Thomas Paine, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, that sparked the American Revolution, as it argued that the colonists had a natural right to self-government and independence from the British monarchy. Perhaps the $200,000 should be spent buying copies of that and distributed to the Concord High School students each year during their American History classes!)

Oh, and how do I know this information about U.S. history? Because I’m a graduate of Northgate High School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, where I attended the U.S. History class in my junior year (as required for graduation) taught by a great teacher, actually did my homework and learned the subject matter!

The terms for Trustees Keisha Nzewi and Erin McFerrin who both voted twice for the mascot name change expire following the November 2024 elections. Source: MDUSD

Two Trustees Who Twice Supported Change Face Re-Election Next Year

Seriously, voters in the district, there are only two trustees, who voted for the change both times, that are up for re-election, next year when their terms expire: Board President and Area 3 Trustee Keisha Nzewi and Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Erin McFerrin. If they don’t reconsider their vote and change the mascot name back, it’s indicative they don’t care about our nation’s history, the history of the City’s and school’s name nor about educating the students in your district and specifically, at Concord High, about it all. Take back your government from the foolish, wasteful, weak leaders who are contributing to the dumbing down of the education system in the largest school district in Contra Costa County. Just maybe, this latest decision will serve as a lightning rod to wake people up, get them to take action and change things for the better for our future and the benefit of our youth.

Here’s how to contact each of the five trustees by email:

Board President & Area 3 Trustee Keisha Nzewi, Term expires 2024 – nzewik@mdusd.org

Vice President & Area 5 Trustee Erin McFerrin, Term expires 2024 – mcferrine@mdusd.org

Area 1 Trustee Debra Mason, Term expires 2026 – masond@mdusd.org

Area 2 Trustee Linda Mayo, Term expires 2026 – mayol@mdusd.org

Area 4 Trustee Cherise Khaund, Term expires 2026 – khaundc@mdusd.org

Approved MDUSD Trustee Areas 2019. Source: MDUSD

Historical Society, City Must Stop Hiding History and Origin of Their Name

One final thing, to the Concord Historical Society, you really need to add the fact of the origin of the city’s name to your website and the Concord History website, and don’t make it so difficult to find; and to the City of Concord council members and staff, you should actually provide some history about your city on the history page of your website.

IMCA Racing takes center stage at Antioch Speedway this Saturday night

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Championship contenders Troy Foulger #49 and Andrew Pearce #15p battling Randy Shafer #22 and Nick DeCarlo #17 in IMCA Modified competition. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…On the heels of a successful Fan Appreciation Night and the well supported practice that followed, racing resumes this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.

Back in action are the popular IMCA sanctioned Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, and the three divisions have just two-point races left to go. Also competing will be the Delta Dwarf Cars and a special Print Club Mini Stock race.

Troy Foulger of Oakley and Bowers Motorsports weren’t necessarily planning to run for points this season, but that’s how it turned out. The team prefers to run at different venues when the bigger money is on the line, and frequently they leave with big prize money. In this case, the team started winning early on and found themselves leading two championship battles.

The Bowers name is synonymous with winning races at Antioch Speedway. From the days of the Hall of Fame duo Bill Bowers and JD Willis teaming up to win many Main Events and several championships to Billy Bowers and Foulger, they keep getting the job done.

In fact, the team had their Modified at the track for practice last week to try and pick up a little bit of speed. IMCA National rookie leader and State point leader Andrew Pearce of Oakley has won the last two races. That doesn’t sit well with the Bowers team.

Foulger still leads Pearce in the Modified ranks, 336-314, but the last win for Pearce gives him a 4 to 3 advantage in Main Event wins. The title will come down between these two, while reigning champion Nick DeCarlo of Martinez leads Jeff Browne of Oakley in the race for third, 214-186.

Just 30 points behind Browne you’ll find 2019 champion Buddy Kniss of Oakley.  The popular Modified division has been at the Speedway since 1990, and this is the 34th championship run for the class.

IMCA Stock Car point leader Troy Foulger #49 battles Scott Foster #22s and Travis Dutra #22. Photo by Katrina Kniss

In the IMCA Stock Car ranks, Foulger again only has one driver to worry about. In this case, it’s Jason Robles of Rio Vista, who trails by 32 markers. Robles takes on a big role at the speedway as a primary track preparations expert, running the heavy equipment.

Jason is still looking for his first win of the season and has finished as high as second three times. Foulger, however, has won seven races, which has also helped propel him into the IMCA State point lead. It’s been a banner year for the team.

Jason’s son Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista has a solid hold on third in the standings as reigning champion Travis Dutra of Concord has fallen out of the battle. Dutra is only four points ahead of Oakley’s Scott Foster. Foster has been supporting the class pretty well this year as he picks up a little speed with each race.

You won’t find the DeCarlo name high in the point battle, but both Nick DeCarlo and Terry DeCarlo Jr of Martinez are Main Event winners in recent races.

Turning attention to the IMCA Sport Modified ranks, Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley is on a pace to collect a pair of championships. The IMCA State title seems well in hand after Ryan picked up his fourth Watsonville win last week.

However, the three-time Antioch winner has to contend with Kenny Shrader of Pacheco in the track title chase. Shrader got his third win last time out, keeping him four points out of the lead. This battle will go down to the wire.

IMCA Sport Modified title contender Mark Garner #76, Dylan Connelly #6 and Matt Pitts #16 racing hard. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Though he hasn’t won yet this season, Mark Garner of Antioch has been very consistent with six Top 5 efforts. He’s just nine points out of the lead and three ahead of three-time Antioch champion Trevor Clymens of Brentwood.

Jacob Mallet, Jr. is last year’s State champion, and he has a 23-point lead over Joseph Pato in the race for fifth. 28 points back in seventh is the top rookie, Billy Garner of Antioch.

We haven’t seen enough of the Delta Dwarf Cars this year, but we have a fierce battle on our hands between Chance Russell of Antioch and Devan Kammermann of Dublin. Russell leads by just four points going into this race. He is a one-time winner, while Kameramann has picked up two victories.

Quietly, Tracy’s Joe LeDuc has crept into third in the standings, 20 points ahead of David Michael Rosa of Antioch and 22 in front of Travis Day of Concord. Sean Catucci of Antioch was back at practice last week and making good laps as he’s set to return this week.

Last year’s Print Club Mini Stock championship runner-up, Laina Bales of Antioch, lined up some sponsorship to give the division a purse this week. They don’t normally pay down the entire field, but they will on this occasion.

There could be some visitors In town as drivers compete for the increased prize money. This race will also be an opportunity for the local drivers to get things in order as the West Coast Sport Compacts hit the speedway the following week with their competitive tour.

A look at the track points finds Tom Davis of Los Molinos with a solid hold on the lead, 85 points ahead of reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa. Davis has picked up six wins, but Brown has been shut out.

Brown took a tumble off of a ladder a few weeks ago and suffered a collapsed lung, taking him out of the most recent Antioch race. Brown won at Petaluma last week, keeping him on the path to winning his third championship in a row there.

Reigning Mini Stock champion Tom Brown #3r battles Chris Corder #68c, Tony Quinonez #73 and Dana Gardner #37. Photo by Katrina Kniss

At Antioch, Brown leads Tony Quinonez of Corning by 27 points in the race for second. Quininez got his first win of the season last time out. Top rookie David Carson is now fourth in the standings, just four points ahead of Pittsburgh’s Don Abitz and 19 in front of Dana Gardner of San Bruno.

The IMCA storylines are certainly interesting. Nobody has ever won two championships in the same season at the track, but Foulger has that in his crosshairs along with an unprecedented sixth Modified title.

There are also the close battles in the Delta Dwarf Cars and IMCA Sport Modifieds to consider. The drivers will be giving it all they have to try to move up a little bit higher in the standings. It’ll be a good night of racing from start to finish.

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 four and under free.

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

Smith, Soares, Pearce, Shrader win on Fan Appreciation Night at Antioch Speedway

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TJ Smith #68 won the USAC Western States Midgets Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

DeCarlo, Quinonez and Zuger also win

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…August 5…TJ Smith of Fresno collected the victory in the 30 lap USAC Western States Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. It was the inaugural appearance for the group at the track, and it came on Fan Appreciation Night. Fans got to attend for just $5. The win for Smith earned him a $2,000 payday.

Smith and David Gasper of Santa Barbara shared the front row with Smith bolting into the immediate lead. Jake Andreotti of Castro Valley settled into third and was soon threatening Gasper for second. The leaders caught slower traffic by the sixth lap as they ran in close formation. Andreotti found an opening and slipped past Gasper for second on the ninth lap.

A yellow flag flew moments later. Smith continued to lead Andreotti and Gasper on the restart. The race had a red flag on Lap 14 as Caden Sarale flipped on the back straightaway. Smith resumed command on the restart ahead of Andreotti and Gasper, but Cade Lewis of Bakersfield bolted past Gasper for third on the 16th lap. Lewis didn’t put too much distance between himself and Andreotti, but he made the right moves when they counted and brought it home to victory. Lewis settled for third ahead of Ben Worth of Coalinga and Gasper.

Jarrett Soares #12 increased his Wingless Spec Sprint point lead with his second win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jarrett Soares of Gilroy made a thrilling late race pass on Bob Newberry of Brentwood to win his second 25 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. The win could be crucial in his bid to become the division champion as he put a little more distance between himself and James East of Oakley in the battle.

Two-time champion Newberry had the pole for the race and took the early lead ahead of Oakley’s Jacob Tuttle and Soares. Newberry had a bumpy moment exiting Turn 4 of the fourth lap as Tuttle motored by on the front stretch for the lead. However, Newberry got back around on the back stretch on Lap 6 to resume command. A yellow flag bunched the field on Lap 7 with Newberry continuing to lead Tuttle and Soares on the restart.

The battle between the lead trio remained close and hit traffic with five laps to go. Newberry was very protective of the inside line, but Soares got some momentum on the outside on the 24th lap and put it between Newberry and a slower car to take over. Soares brought it home to an impressive victory as Newberry settled for second ahead of Tuttle, Blake Bower of Brentwood and Brentwood’s Jeff Scotto.

Andrew Pearce #28g helped his IMCA Modified National Rookie of the Year effort with his fourth Antioch win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Oakley’s Andrew Pearce won his fourth 25 lap IMCA Modified feature of the season. Pearce maintains second in the track point battle while leading the State championship race as well as the IMCA National rookie battle.

Pearce charged into the lead at the start, only to see a yellow flag wave after Jeff Browne and Terry DeCarlo Sr crashed on the front stretch. Browne went pitside as Pearce led point leader Troy Foulger and Ryan DeForest on the restart. Brown was sent back on the track and spun out the entry gate for the final yellow flag with three laps remaining. Pearce didn’t let that deter him as he led the restart and the final laps for the win, followed by Foulger, DeForest, DeCarlo and Browne.

Kenny Shrader #188 stayed in the IMCA Sport Modified title chase with his third win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Kenny Shrader of Pacheco won his third 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event of the season. The win kept him within four points of track and State point leader Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley in the hotly contested championship chase. Shrader had earlier won the $200 prize in the four lap Trophy Dash after a thrilling battle with Antioch’s Todd Gomez.

Gomez set the early pace ahead of Joe Salvi of Modesto. A yellow flag waved after Mark Garner spun in Turn 2 to avoid another car on Lap 3. Gomez was involved in a tangle with Trevor Clymens of Brentwood at the opposite end of the track. This put Shrader in the lead on the restart ahead of reigning State champion Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley and Ryan. Shrader drove a flawless race from that point on to score the win ahead of Mallet, Ryan, the resurgent Garner and Gomez.

Nick DeCarlo #17 won his first IMCA Stock Car feature of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Nick DeCarlo won the 25 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. The two-time reigning IMCA Modified champion has been struggling with motor issues this year, but he was unbeatable on this occasion.

DeCarlo had the pole position and took an immediate lead ahead of Fred Ryland of Brentwood and point leader Troy Foulger of Oakley. DeCarlo began to pull away in the rapidly run event as Ryland held off the advances of Foulger. Even slower traffic with three laps to go didn’t slow DeCarlo. He made all the right moves and scored the satisfying win ahead of Ryland, Foulger and Rio Vista duo Kenneth Robles and Jason Robles.

Tony Quinonez #73 won his first Print Club Mini Stock Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Tony Quinonez won the 20 lap Print Club Mini Stock Main Event. This was the first win of the season for the Corning driver, who was piloting the second car for Delbert Rios. Teammate Tom Davis of Los Molinos had won six in a row going into this night to maintain the point lead.

Davis had the pole and led a lap before an outside pass on the back stretch gained Quinonez the lead. Davis had issues and headed pitside on the third lap as Quinonez led David Carson of Antioch and Pittsburgh’s Don Abitz. The yellow flag waved for Billy Garner of Antioch on Lap 3. Abitz moved into second behind Quinonez on the restart, and the duo began to pull away from the pack. Abitz could keep pace with Quinonez, but he wasn’t quite able to gather the momentum to make a pass attempt. Garner passed Carson at the line to finish third as Davis was scored fifth.

Dan Zuger #26 won the Mini Late Model Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Dan Zuger of San Jose won the 15 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. Zuger took the lead at the start ahead of DJ Saenz of Manteca. Tyler Tucker of Delhi spun in Turn 2 for the yellow flag. He retired at that point as Zuger led Saenz and Caydon Foster of Oakley on the restart. Foster retired, and Zuger would stretch his advantage over Saenz in victory. Foster was scored third ahead of Tucker.

The race on August 12th has been rescheduled as a practice day, meaning the next race will be on August 19th, featuring IMCA Modified, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars along with the Print Club Mini Stocks and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – August 5, 2023

USAC Western States Midgets 

FT-Brody Fuson 13.882. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Colby Johnson, TJ Smith. Main Event (30 laps)-TJ Smith, Jake Andreotti, Cade Lewis, Ben Worth, David Gasper, CJ Sarna, Danika Jo Faccinto, Nikko Panella, Samuel May, Jerry Kobza.

Wingless Spec Sprints 

FT-Jarrett Soares 14.184. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Bob Newberry, Jacob Tuttle. Main Event (25 laps)-Jarrett Soares, Bob Newberry, Jacob Tuttle, Blake Bower, Jeff Scotto, Colson Plourde, Dylan Newberry, James East, Anthony Bruno, Roy Fisher.

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Jeff Browne. Main Event (25 laps)-Andrew Pearce, Troy Foulger, Ryan DeForest, Terry DeCarlo Sr, Jeff Browne, Sean Wilson DNS.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Todd Gomez, Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 laps)-Kenny Shrader, Jacob Mallet Jr, Jason Ryan Jr, Mark Garner, Todd Gomez, Chuck Golden, Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens Jr, Matt Pitts, Dylan Connolly.

IMCA Stock Cars 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Fred Ryland, Troy Foulger. Main Event (25 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Fred Ryland, Troy Foulger, Kenneth Robles, Jason Robles, Scott Foster, Jared Baugh, Steve Stone, Dave Hill DNS.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tony Quinonz, Don Abitz, Billy Garner, David Carson, Tom Davis, Roberto Monroy DNS.

California Sharp Mini Models 

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

Johnson, Pearce, Baca, Keldsen among winners at Antioch Speedway

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DJ Johnson #33dj won his second Hunt Series Spec Sprint race of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…July 29…Taking the lead from previous Antioch winner Jacob Tuttle of Oakley, Stockton’s DJ Johnson won the 25 lap Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the second win on the tour for the two-time Antioch Speedway champion.

Tuttle has won three times in local Wingless Spec Sprint competition, and he had the outside front row for the feature race on this occasion. He bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Bradley Terrell of Sebastopol. Following a Lap 2 yellow flag, Terrell took the lead, but contact between he and Tuttle saw Terrell spin in the fourth turn for a yellow flag. Tuttle led Johnson and Blake Bower of Brentwood on the restart. There were multiple yellow flags on the challenging track. Johnson managed to slip past Tuttle for the lead on the ninth circuit, and Bower made an outside pass a lap later to take second from teammate Tuttle.

Bower committed to the outside grove and started presenting a challenge to Johnson with a yellow flag waving on Lap 20 for Brent Steck of Roseville, who had been running in fifth. Johnson maintained his advantage over Bower on the restart, and an inside pass in Turn 1 on Lap 23 gained Series point leader Nick Robfogel of Petaluma the third position. Unfortunately, Robfogel and Tanner Boul of Auberry got together in Turn 1 for the final yellow flag on Lap 24. Johnson was undeterred as he led the final restart and brought it home to a satisfying win. An inside pass in the first turn gained Tuttle second with Terrell making a charge all the way back to third by the time the checkered flag flew. Bower settled for fourth, followed by Brentwood’s Bob Newberry.

Andrew Pearce #28g collected his third IMCA Modified win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Andrew Pearce of Oakley maintained championship contention with his third 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event win. Pearce also leads the IMCA Modified National rookie race and the State point battle.

Pearce charged into the lead following a complete restart. Point leader Troy Foulger of Oakley was an early second ahead of Buddy Kniss of Oakley. They ran that way until Camarillo’s Trevor Fitz slipped past Kniss for third on Lap 12. Pearce built a decent lead over Foulger by the time to checkered flag waved as Fitz settled for third ahead of Kniss and Jeffrey Faulkner of Rohnert Park.

Grayson Baca #31b maintained his Hobby Stock point lead with his fourth victory. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Grayson Baca of Brentwood maintained the point lead with his fourth 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event win. He was an early third as Ken John’s of Antioch led previous winner Jared Baugh of Pittsburgh at the start. Following a yellow flag for Corning’s William Fogle on Lap 3, Johns continued to lead Baugh on the restart. A high pass in Turn 4 of the fifth lap gained Baugh the lead as Baca went inside Johns in the same turn for second. An inside pass in the same turn a lap later gained Baca the lead from Baugh.

Johns and Baugh had a side-by-side battle for second until the yellow flag waved on Lap 7. Johns took second on the restart as Baca continued to lead the way. There was a four-car battle for the runner-up spot during the second half of the race with an inside pass in Turn 4 on Lap 12 putting Todd Gomez of Antioch into the position. Johns and Baugh both got past Gomez for second and third in Turn 4 of the 13th lap, but Gomez came back strong on the inside a lap later. This battle continued to be intense as they hit slower traffic, and Baugh got around Gomez on the front stretch on Lap 17 for second. They closed in on Baca, but he prevailed at the checkered flag. Baugh ended up second ahead of Gomez, Johns and Aidan Ponciano of Oakley.

DJ Keldsen #01 scored his third Figure 8 win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

DJ Keldsen of Newman picked up his third 15 lap Figure 8 win of the season. Dakota Kelson of Watsonville took the early lead ahead of Bob Brown of Elko, Nevada. Following a yellow flag on Lap 2, Dakota Keldsen continued to lead the way. Contact as they entered the X sent Brown spinning as DJ Keldsen assumed second ahead of Trevor Clymens of Brentwood. Another yellow flag waved for Dennis Keldsen of Newman at the Turn 3 exit.

On the restart, DJ Keldsen charged past his brother Dakota for the lead, and IMCA Stock Car racer Terry DeCarlo Jr of Martinez settled into third. Another yellow flag on Lap seven bunched the field, and Dakota Keldsen briefly regained the lead from DJ as Brown settled into third again. Brown was again sent spinning, and contact between Dakota Keldsen and Jimmy Robbins of Concord ended the race for Robbins. DeCarlo took the lead on a Lap 9 restart with DJ Keldsen in close pursuit. Brown had again regained third by that point. Keldsen made a Turn 1 pass on DeCarlo to take the lead on Lap 11. From there, DJ Keldsen brought it home to victory ahead of DeCarlo, Brown, Wayne Reeder of Watsonville and Michaela Taylor of Oakley.

Troy Foulger #49 earned his seventh IMCA Stock Car Main Event win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Troy Foulger picked up his division leading seventh IMCA Stock Car 20 lap Main Event win in the Bowers Motorsports entry. Foulger currently leads both the track and State point battle.

Brentwood’s Fred Ryland returned and set the pace early on. A low pass in Turn 2 of the second lap gained Foulger second from Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista. Jarrod Mounce of Atwater moved into third. Following a yellow flag for Kenneth Robles on the fifth lap, Ryland continued to lead Foulger on the restart. They ran that way until Foulger found an opening on the outside on Lap 15 and slipped past Ryland to take command. Foulger went on to win the race with Ryland settling for second ahead of Mounce, previous winner Terry DeCarlo Jr of Martinez and Jason Robles of Rio Vista.

Drake Edwards #4m got his fourth WMR Midgets feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Drake Edwards of Surprise, Arizona won his fourth WMR Midgets 20 lap Main Event. Series point leader Logan Mitchell of Santa Cruz led the opening lap before an inside pass on the back stretch gained Mitchell the lead. Championship contender Bryant Bell of Oakley made a Turn 4 pass on Lap 5 to take second from Mitchell. Edwards drove a flawless race and brought it home to a satisfying win ahead of Bell, Mitchell, Jerry Kobza of Folsom and reigning Series champion Blake Bower of Brentwood.

Tom Davis #75 got his sixth Print Club Mini Stock win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Point leader Tom Davis of Los Molinos picked up his sixth Print Club Mini Stock win of the season aboard the Delbert Rios owned car. Reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa put the Bob Davis owned Pinto into the lead at the start ahead of Tom Davis. Tony Quinonez of Corning spun in Turn 2 for the only yellow flag on Lap 2. Brown led Davis and Merced point leader Daniel Bond of Oakdale on the restart. They ran that way until Brown slipped up a bit in Turn 1 on Lap 10, allowing Davis to get by on the inside for the lead. Davis went on to victory from there with Brown settling for second ahead of Bond, Quinonez and Rick Barry of Modesto.

Racing continues this Saturday night with a special $5 Fan Appreciation Night. The IMCA Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars will be competing along with the Wingless Spec Sprints, USAC Western States Midgets and Print Club Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results – July 29, 2023

Hunt Wingless Spec Sprints

FT-Jacob Tuttle 14.104. Heat Winners (8 laps)–Tanner Boul, Bradley Terrell, DJ Johnson, Blake Bower. B Main (12 laps)-Bruno Bianchi, Jeff Scotto, James East. Main Event (25 laps)-DJ Johnson, Jacob Tuttle, Bradley Terrell, Blake Bower, Bob Newberry, Shawn Arriaga, Evan Goularte, Shawn Jones, Jarrett Soares, Dylan Newberry.

IMCA Modifieds 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Troy Foulger, Andrew Pearce. Main Event (25 laps)-Andrew Pearce, Troy Foulger, Trevor Fitz, Buddy Kniss, Jeffrey Faulkner, Marcus Frazier, Ryan DeForest, Paul Guglielmoni, Mickey Hill, Brian Lewis.

Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Grayson Baca, Misty Welborn, Ken Johns. Main Event (20 laps)-Grayson Baca, Jared Baugh, Todd Gomez, Ken Johns, Aidan Ponciano, Mike Walko, Misty Welborn, Jason Ryan Jr, Ken Winland, Trent Golden.

IMCA Stock Cars 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Jason Robles. Main Event (20 laps)-Troy Foulger, Fred Ryland, Jarrod Mounce, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Jason Robles, Kenneth Robles, Steve Stone DNS.

WMR Midgets 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Bryant Bell, Blake Bower. Main Event (20 laps)-Drake Edwards, Bryant Bell, Logan Mitchell, Jerry Kobza, Blake Bower, Anthony Bruno, Darin Horton, Adriana DeMartini, Rick Faeth, Adam Weisberg.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tom Brown, Daniel Bond, Tony Quinonez, Ryder Greene, Rick Berry, Charles McElroy.

Figure 8 (unofficial)

Main Event (15 laps)-DJ Keldsen, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Bob Brown, Wayne Reeder, Michaela Taylor, David Rosa, Jimmy Robbins, Dakota Keldsen, Trevor Clymens, Dennis Keldsen.