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Jonathan Allard becomes 9th different winner in first 10 races with victory in Quincy.
By Gary Thomas
Quincy, CA – May 3, 2008…Current Golden State Challenge Series point leader Jonathan Allard of Chico utilized a beautiful late race move in traffic to get by last Saturday’s winner Tim Kaeding and pick up his first series victory of the ’08 season this past Saturday night at the American Valley Speedway in Quincy. With the win Allard becomes the ninth different winner in the first 10 races of the GSC season and it came on a night when the final checkered flag fell just before midnight.
Arriving to the American Valley Speedway found beautiful weather in the mid 70’s, but just about an hour before cars were set to hit the track the skies opened up and started dumping rain in the Quincy area. The moisture subsided, but returned again right before qualifying was set to get underway which delayed the action for some time. Thankfully for everyone in attendance the rain stopped once again, the track was worked back in and we were able to get the entire program of racing completed, albeit a little later than usual.
The 30 lap Golden State Challenge Series main event began with a scary accident on the start that saw Chico’s Brett Miller get upside down and flip wildly into the infield. The youngster was a little shaken up, but was otherwise okay as he walked back to the pits under his own power. The next start saw San Jose’s T. Kaeding power his way into the lead aboard the Tom Rolfe Racing, J.F. McCray Plastering No. 10. In the open track Kaeding was a rocket ship, but when slower traffic came into play it allowed Allard to close up to his rear bumper.
As Kaeding was dealing with traffic Allard was able to get side by side with him in turns one and two, but the ’02 King of California was able to keep the ’06 King of California at bay. Right as the action was heating up a caution came out on lap nine, which created a single file restart that saw Kaeding motor away from the rest of the field once again. Just as soon as traffic appeared ahead, however, Allard immediately began to close in and the pair proceeded to put on a terrific show running amongst the slower cars.
The two hard chargers excited the crowd by going side by side on a few different occasions until Allard got the opening he needed on lap 21. The driver of the Williams Motorsports, K & N Filters No. 0 cut to the inside off the fourth corner and out dragged Kaeding and a lapped car into turn one to take the lead of the race. Kaeding stayed close to him over the final nine laps, but wasn’t able to get back by as Allard drove flawlessly the rest of the race and crossed the stripe about a car length ahead of the No. 10 car to pick up his 18th career Golden State Challenge Series main event win.
Allard jumped from the car and showed much emotion after finally winning his first GSC feature of the season. “Man we needed this win big time and I just can’t thank my guys enough for all their hard work this weekend,” Allard said. “I have to thank Morrie and Katie Williams and everyone who works on and supports this team.” Allard’s crew also wanted to give special thanks to Todd Ventura of Roth Motorsports for his support.
T. Kaeding’s runner-up finish marked his second straight podium in GSC competition after getting his first season win last weekend in Tulare. “TK” and Allard continue to be the two most consistent front runners on a weekly basis. Campbell’s Brent Kaeding made headway in the main event to carve his way forward and complete the podium in his Al’s Roofing Supply No. 69. “BK” closed in on the two front runners during a couple separate occasions but had to settle for a third place finish at the checkered flag.
Scott’s Valley’s Evan Suggs continued his consistency over the last month and brought home a fourth place finish aboard the Suggs Racing No. 33e. The finish marked Suggs fourth top five finish in the past five Golden State Challenge Series races. Rounding out the top five was Campbell’s Bud Kaeding who has also been a very consistent runner over the previous month in his BK Motorsports No. 29. Drivers finishing out the top 10 were Jason Statler, Tyler Walker, Mike Henry, Roger Crockett and Matt Shelton.
Although it was a long and chilly night, many of the fans stayed and were treated to some very good racing during the main event. The track surface was extremely fast following the rain and was apparent with Tyler Walker obliterating the track record in qualifying with a lap of 14.537.
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American Valley Speedway – Golden State Challenge Series Results May 3, 2008
23 cars
Fast time- Tyler Walker 14.537
Heat 1: Mark Hall, Brent Kaeding, Tim Kaeding, Bud Kaeding, Ken Fredenburg, Pat Harvey, Tyler Walker
Heat 2: Brett Miller, Mark Tabor Jr, Jonathan Allard, Roger Crockett, Robby Whitchurch, Brent Bjork, Mike Mossi
Heat 3: Mike Monahan, Matt Shelton, Jason Statler, Evan Suggs, Mike Henry, Dan Simpson, Jim Richardson
Dash: Tim Kaeding, Jonathan Allard, Evan Suggs, Jason Statler, Mike Henry, Brent Kaeding, Bud Kaeding, Roger Crockett
A-main: Jonathan Allard, Tim Kaeding, Brent Kaeding, Evan Suggs, Bud Kaeding, Jason Statler, Tyler Walker, Mike Henry, Roger Crockett, Matt Shelton, Robby Whitchurch, Mark Tabor Jr, Mark Hall, Brent Bjork, Dan Simpson, Pat Harvey, Ken Fredenburg, Mike Monahan, Mike Mossi, Mark Workentine, Brett Miller, Jim Richardson(dns)
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