|
Wingless Spec Sprints
Petaluma, Ca
July 5, 2008
By Debbie Shipherd
Hanestad’s Hot Streak Continues
S & S Automotive’s Darrell Hanestad scored his seventh consecutive win in the Wingless Spec Sprint division at Petaluma Speedway in a spectacular night of racing on Saturday July 5. Hanestad powered into the lead on lap ten from a fifth starting spot and was pressured hard by Delta Demoltion’s Bob Newberry. Benicia’s Billy Aton, Terry Schank of Santa Rosa and Napa’s Lucas Nerlove rounded out the top five spots.
A stout field of twenty-one Wingless Spec Sprints combined with thirty-nine winged Civil War 360’s provided the Petaluma fans with a sensational night of Sprint Car racing on this Fourth of July weekend. Tonight’s Spec Sprint roster had a great variety of experienced veterans and seven new drivers to the class. Seventeen year old Angela Ligett experienced her first race at Petaluma’s 3/8 mile track with just a few prior races at Watsonville. Another young rookie is fourteen year old Ryan Bernal of Hollister in his first season in a Spec Sprint. Other newcomers are Martinez’s Troy Foulger, Geoff Ensign, and Petaluma regulars Rick Sharp, Marcus Hardina and Joel Myers. Welcome, all!
The Spec Sprints were divided into three quick six lap heat races lined up by pill draw. Heat one began with Santa Rosa’s Scott Dupont and Atwater’s Cameron Beard in the front row. Ryan Bernal vaulted into the lead on lap two and took the win followed by Beard, Terry Schank in the Mark Orth machine, Billy Aton and Main Machine’s Dan Gonderman. Roy Fisher of Antioch and Elkhorn Peak’s Lucas Nerlove started in row one for the second heat. Oakley’s Bob Newberry grabbed the lead at the green and never looked back, with Nerlove, Fisher, Billy Macedo of Concord and Nickles Steel Erectors’ Keith Shipherd rounding out the top five. Midas’ Jack Clark and Gotelli Speed’s Dave Press sat in the front row of heat three. Press throttled into the lead quickly with Hanestad blazing hot on his heals. With one lap to go Hanestad overpowered Press and took home the win followed closely by Press, Epic Images’ Marcus Hardina, Geoff Ensign and Troy Foulger of Martinez. This talented group of drivers ran all three heat races flag to flag for some fast and furious racing action.
Heat one winner Ryan Bernal pulled an eight invert for the main event lineup, putting Terry Schank and Roy Fisher in the front of the twenty-one car field. At the green Schank took the lead with Nerlove and fifth starting Hanestad following close behind. By lap four Hanestad had moved into second with Nerlove and Newberry in hot pursuit. A single yellow flag stopped the action as a slow moving Foulger jammed up traffic in the back of the field. On the restart Schank took the point with Hanestad, Nerlove, Newberry and Aton running hard in a tight pack. Midfield action showed solid clean driving with lots of great moves on the racy surface. By lap ten Hanestad was in the lead with Newberry dogging him and Nerlove and Aton battling with Schank for the third spot. At the lap twenty-five checkers, it was Hanestad winning his seventh feature followed by Newberry, Aton, Schank and Nerlove
It was a fun night of racing and we thank our sponsors who help make it possible. Special thanks to promoter Jim Soares and his staff for a well prepared track, a well organized program, a racer friendly atmosphere and free food after the races to celebrate the holiday!
Drive safe, have fun and take care.
Summary: PETALUMA SPEEDWAY, JULY 5
WINGLESS SPEC SPRINTS
Heat 1—Ryan Bernal; Cameron Beard; Terry Schank; Billy Aton; Dan Gonderman; Scott Dupont; Rick Sharp.
Heat 2—Bob Newberry; Lucas Nerlove; Roy Fisher; Bill Macedo; Keith Shipherd; Joel Myers; Angela Liggett.
Heat 3—Darrell Hanestad; Dave Press; Marcus Hardina; Geoff Ensign; Troy Foulger; Jack Clark.
Main — (w/starting positions)
1.Hanestad (5); 2.Newberry (8); 3.Aton (10); 4. Schank (1); 5. Nerlove (3); 6. Bernal (7); 7.Press (4); 8.Macedo (11); 9.Hardina (9); 10.Fisher (2); 11.Dupont (16); 12.Gonderman(13); 13.Ellis (21); 14.Ensign (12); 15.Liggett (20); 16.Sharp (19); 17.Myers (17); 18.Shipherd (15); 19.Beard (6); 20. Clark (18); 21. Foulger (14)
|
