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Photo by Steve Lamothe Racing Photos
Jonathan Allard readies for Fall Nationals assault
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA - October 3, 2007...After suffering more tire issues on an abrasive surface during this past weekend’s event at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Jonathan Allard will turn his attention to running up front this weekend as it will see him compete for the final time in 2007 at his home track of Silver Dollar Speedway. The 31 year-old will take to the track for the 16th annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals, an event he has yet to win in his career.
The Fall Nationals has become one of the biggest 360 winged sprint car events on the West Coast, but Jonathan has only competed in it once since 2002, and that came in ‘05 during his first season behind the wheel of the Williams Motorsports No. 0. He didn’t compete at the Fall Nationals last year as he was in Chowchilla winning the $10,000 410 Shootout during the same weekend.
The last time Jonathan competed at the Fall Nationals saw him do just about everything but win the event. The prelim night in ‘05 saw JA break the 360 track record at Silver Dollar, before driving from sixth to second in both his heat race and the dash. He then took the lead before a lap was even completed in the feature and held off a very determined Brent Kaeding to pick up the prelim night main event win. Jonathan had earned high points for the weekend going into Saturday as he sat atop the standings that included a total of 88 drivers.
When the green flag waved in the 40 lap Fall Nationals finale, JA jumped out to the lead and looked poised to win the main event. It all changed on lap 21 however, as he had difficulty lapping a slower car and ultimately slid off turn one and fell back to fifth where he would go on to finish. The fifth place effort tied his career best Fall Nationals finish which he had previously gotten in 2002 with a charge from the 18th starting position in Saturday’s main event that year.
The ‘07 season at Silver Dollar Speedway has been very good to Jonathan as the Chico driver has been fast all year at the 1/4 mile bullring. JA has made 20 starts at Silver Dollar this season and has accumulated 8 wins, 12 top fives and 13 top 10's. Jonathan has also driven the Williams Motorsports Zero Machine to 11 podium finishes this year in Chico. He was on his way to another podium finish at his most recent Chico start during the Gold Cup Race of Champions finale, but a flat tire pushed him back to 10th place at the checkered flag.
A strong run at the Fall Nationals would be a beautiful way to end a great season at Silver Dollar Speedway. Gates open at 5 pm all three night’s and all seating will be general admission. Jonathan will hit the speedway on Thursday for his qualifying night.
For more news on Chico, Calif driver Jonathan Allard log onto http://www.allardmotorsports.com
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Photo by Johns Racing Photos
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