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Photo by Graph X Designs
Stephen Allard drives to 2nd place finish at Bill Brownell night
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA – April 11, 2008…During his first night behind the wheel of the Main Motorsports No. 35a machine, defending Silver Dollar Speedway champion Stephen Allard picked up a solid second place finish during the inaugural Bill Brownell Memorial.
Allard was unable to compete in last Friday’s Feather Falls Casino point series opener at the Silver Dollar Speedway, but was back at the track last night in his first evening behind the wheel of the Harold Main owned, H.A.M. Construction, A.R.T. Enterprise, JEI wrenched by Lee Watson.
The 35 year-old driver began the evening by timing in sixth fastest among the talented 34 car field of winged 410 sprint cars. Allard, who won three main events last year in point action at Silver Dollar Speedway, then went on to bring home a fourth place finish in his heat race and transfer into the $3,000 to win Bill Brownell Memorial main event.
Lining up on the inside of the second row Allard quickly moved up to second aboard the 35a sprinter, but had to pick his spots wisely as the quarter-mile clay oval had slicked off up top and became a one lane expressway on the bottom. The defending track champ closed in on leader Mason Moore during the early stages and gave him a couple looks, but the young driver was able to run a smooth line on the bottom and hang on to the lead.
During the middle part of the 25 lap contest brother Jonathan was able to slip underneath SA to take over second, but during a late restart a handful of laps later, the older Allard returned the favor and squeezed below the No. 0 sprinter to move back into second. As the laps ticked off SA gave it everything he had to make something happen for the lead as he closed up on Moore, but with the narrow groove it was nearly impossible to try anything drastic.
Allard drove a smart last few laps to bring the H.A.M. Construction No. 35a home in a very strong second. It was a very successful first night behind the wheel of the car and will hopefully be a sign of things to come. "I just have to thank the Main family for giving me the opportunity as it's great to be back at my favorite track of Silver Dollar Speedway," Allard said.
Look for Allard to drive the Main Motorsports, JEI No. 35a sprint car a couple more times before the big Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial event on May 16 & 17, in which he’ll be aboard the car for both nights of action.
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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