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It's Miller Time at Chico
by: Troy Hennig
(Chico, CA 8-1-08)...To say it's been a struggle this year for Brett Miller and his team would be an understatement. To their credit the team and driver have stuck together through the thick and thin and tonight Miller showed why he can still be considered one of Chico's best young talents. Miller led all 25-laps to win the 410 sprint car main event. He had to work for this one. Throughout the night he battled slower traffic and held off the likes of Andy Forsberg and Sean Becker. His win punctuated Care Free Pools night at the speedway, his main sponsor and Grandfathers business. During the night Miller and his team held a fund raiser for the Butte Humane Society animal shelter. They collected over $1700 from fans and drivers to help the animal shelter. “You have no idea how much this win means to us,” said Miller in victory lane. Miller was emotionally and physically drained after the win. “I knew those guys were gunning for me and I drove as hard as I could,” said Miller.
It was also kids night at the races. Pullins Cyclery donated two bikes for a raffle for kids eleven years and under. ManCamp Motorsports also added over 10 prizes for more raffle prizes. A total of 21 winged sprints attended points race #18 during the Feather Falls Casino championship series.
The main event start took a few attempts to get going. On the front row sat Dan Simpson and Peter Murphy. Both drivers started too early in turn three and were penalized by being sent to the final row. Mason Moore spun in turn one to bring out the first yellow. On the next attempt Jeff Griffin stopped in turn four and also exiting the track was Colby Copeland. These turn of events forced the officials to start the race in single file formation. At the front of the pack was Brett Miller. He was originally starting in row two but once Murphy and Simpson had the false start it moved Miller to the front. Miller led the first few laps until a red was needed on lap four when Kevin Sharrah flipped. On the ensuing restart, Emalee Ramirez took a wild ride off turn two. It was a series of quick violent flips. She was transported to the local Enloe Hospital for neck and back pain. She was released sometime during the night.
Up to this point Zack West had held down the second spot. The second year driver has shown flashes of talent but seemed to also have some bad racing luck. Tonight was no exception. West looked like he belonged with the leaders, however, on lap seven he bobbled to allow Andy Forsberg to get by. Then on lap 18 he spun coming out of turn four and came to a stop on the front straight. At the time he was running third and holding off Sean Becker. It was one of those good nights turned bad with the finish. Yet, the driver and team should be proud of their effort.
After the lap 18 restart the race continued non-stop until the end. Miller closed in on the back of slower traffic with two laps to go. This allowed Forsberg and now Becker to close in. Miller was able to hold off their advances and get the popular win. Coming out of turn four, Forsberg got bottled up by a slower car and this allowed Becker to dive by on the bottom for second. Kyle Hirst finished in the fourth spot driving the Shain Matthews owned #67. Johnny Gray returned to racing action and finished in the fifth spot.
Destiney Hays earned the fast time award. Her time was 11.880. For her efforts she collected a $100 bonus from www.theskipperpartys.net.
Colby Copeland led all eight-laps to win heat one. Emalee Ramirez held off Kyle Hirst to win heat race two. Doug Lippincott returned to Chico and won heat race three.
Full results at www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com
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