By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…After a week off to celebrate the 4th of July, racing returns to Antioch Speedway in a big way this Saturday night. It’s the Seventh Annual Hetrick Memorial race, and increased purses are on the line for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks.
More than the money, this race is about remembering the late Jerry Hetrick, who passed away in May of 2016. Hetrick competed in the Sportsman division in the 1970s and was one of the first drivers to clock in with a 15 second time on the quarter-mile clay oval. He was a Main Event winner during his career, which was impressive considering he didn’t have a big budget. He also ranked Top 5 or Top 10 in various seasons before wrapping up his career in 1981.
Even after his time behind the wheel was over, Jerry was known to help other racers with advice and encouragement. Kellen Chadwick, who is a two-time winner of this race, sites Jerry as being somebody who offered him plenty of encouragement when he was just getting started in his racing career. When Jerry’s wife Mary Ann passed away, the event was named the Hetrick Memorial to celebrate and remember both of them.
The race has been held six times, and the IMCA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks have been a part of all six events. Marysville legend Randy McDaniel won the very first Modified race in 2016. Bobby Hogge, IV and Chadwick have each won it twice with Troy Foulger winning the race last year. Kenny Shrader picked up the IMCA Sport Modified portion of the show last year, while Kenneth Robles won the Hobby Stock race.
Thanks to sponsorship, the IMCA Modifieds will be competing for $1,500 to win on Saturday. It’s $750 to finish second, and just taking the green flag in the Main Event assures the driver at least $150 at the pay window. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will compete for $750 to win, the IMCA Stock Cars will get a $600 payout for the winner, and first place in the Hobby Stocks pays $500. In all three Main Events, drivers will receive $100 minimum for taking the green flag.
We’ve reached the halfway point of the championship season, and nowhere is the battle more intense than in the IMCA Modifieds. Just four points separate leader Nick DeCarlo, Chadwick and Bobby Motts Jr in a good battle. DeCarlo has won three times this year, but he’s hoping to get his first Hetrick win. He has four Top 3 finishes in the six Hetrick races. Older brother Terry DeCarlo Jr is 19 points out of the lead and the top rookie. Rival Trevor Clymens is only two points behind DeCarlo Jr in a close rookie battle. It is hoped that the increased payout will attract some top competitors from outside of the area.
In the IMCA Sport Modifieds, point leader Fred Ryland is looking for his second win in the big race and fifth of the season in this division. Ryland tops the all-time winner’s list in the Sport Modified class and is fourth overall combined. He recently got his 70th career Antioch Speedway win, which puts him two points ahead of recent Northwest Speedweek Series champion Andrew Pearce.
Just 17 points out of the lead in third is Jacob Mallet Jr. Jason Ryan Jr is seven points ahead of Chuck Golden in the race for fourth while two-time winner Tommy Fraser is nine points out of fourth. Kenny Shrader is not only the defending race winner, he has earned podium finishes on all four occasions in which this division was a part of the show. A strong turnout of competitors is anticipated in this division.
Likewise, the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks are expected to have a strong showing. As mentioned above, they’ve been showcased as part of the Hetrick race since it started in 2016. IMCA Modified rookie Kenneth Robles won the race last year, and the other Hobby Stock winners include Les Friend, Josh Leach, Cameron Swank, Melissa Myers and Guy Ahlwardt. There is yet to be a repeat winner for the Hobby Stocks in this race, and everybody has their eyes on the $500 prize.
Misty Welborn’s incredible start that saw her win three Main Events has her 26 points ahead of Michaela Taylor in the Hobby Stock championship battle. 52 points out of the lead is reigning champion Larry McKinzie Jr. Both McKinzie and Clymens have podium finishes but are still looking for their first wins of the season.
Just four points behind McKinzie in a closer race for third is Jared Baugh. Jess Paladino is 22 points out of fourth and only six points tallies ahead of sixth ranked Jewel Crandall. Last time out, Grayson Baca got his first career win, and it just may be that we see another first-time winner on this occasion.
The IMCA Stock Cars are making their first appearance at the Hetrick Memorial event. All season long, we’ve witnessed a close battle between reigning series champion Travis Dutra and Jason Robles. Dutra is maintaining a 12-point advantage over Robles despite not winning yet this year. He has six Top 5 finishes, including four seconds. Robles has a pair of victories.
Further back, the steady Jason Jennings is third in the standings, eight points ahead of Joe Gallaher, 12 ahead of Dave Hill and 22 in front of two-time winner Fred Ryland. Jennings is the 2004 Mini Stock champion. It’s anybody’s guess who will win the $600 prize this Saturday night.
The Hetrick Memorial is one of the biggest races during the regular season that Antioch Speedway offers. Saturday night’s show will be exciting from start to finish. The gates open at 4:00pm with the first race starting at 6:00pm.
Ticket prices are $20 for Adults, $15 for Military, Seniors (60 and over) and Children (under 11) with Children 5 and under free
For further information, go to www.antochspeedway.com.
Marilynne L. Mellander says
where are demolition derbies being held in N. Cal?