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Photos by http://www.GraphXDesigns.com
Mason Myers comes within grasp of first career wingless victory
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA – August 22, 2008…For much of the main event on Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway it looked like young Mason Myers would be headed for his first career wingless sprint car victory, but current point leader Keith Bloom Jr. had other ideas however, as he snuck by Myers coming down to the checkered flag to steal the win away off the very last corner.
The Browns Valley, Calif based Myers Brothers Racing Team came into the penultimate point race for the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Series sitting in a dogfight for the third position in the season long standings. Going into the evening Mason held on to the third spot in the points by a slim five point margin over brother Cody as the duo looked to get everything tuned up for the upcoming Gold Cup Invitational on September 3.
Following a couple weeks of tough luck Mason was back with a vengeance this past Friday driving the distinctive looking Aces Heavy Transport, Franks Backhoe No. 3m, affectionately known as “Pinkie”. He lined-up on the pole of the nights opening heat race and proceeded to pick up his fifth heat victory of the Hunt Magnetos/John Padjen Motorsports wingless sprint car season.
A well prepared surface was given to competitors and when the main event came on to the track Mason found himself sitting on the pole, alongside veteran Charlie Marrs. When the green lights came on Marrs got the jump as Mason tucked in behind, but after completing one lap the younger Myers made a great move to claim the lead off turn two.
Early on Mason was locked down to the bottom of speedway and held a comfortable lead, until RC Smith got a run off turn four to move out in front on lap seven. Mason wasn’t about to give it up without a fight however, as he wheeled back to inside of Smith and re-claimed the top spot going down the backstretch. After this the youngster pulled away from the field and looked to be on way to victory, but a yellow flag appeared just six laps shy of the finish.
On the restart Mason got a nice jump, but current point leader Keith Bloom Jr. moved into the second spot and soon began to hound the rear of the Browns Valley Truck & RV, Cal West Concrete No. 3m. With five laps to go it became a battle for the lead and Bloom visibly had the faster car, however, Mason hit his marks on the bottom of the track and continued to sit out front. As the final few laps ticked off the right front shock broke on Mason’s mount and it created issues as Bloom closed up and was right on his rear as the white flag came out.
With the crowd on their feet Mason did the best he could, but Bloom got a great run down the backstretch and was able to get by up high to claim the win off the final corner. Despite the tough ending it was a great run for Mason and he remained positive and upbeat in the pits after the races. “We gave it a good shot and almost got it done but it just wasn’t meant to be tonight,” he said. “With the luck we’ve had all year we’re happy to finish to finish second and we’ll move on and try to put this thing up front at the Invitational.”
Brother Cody had a tough go of it as he got stuck in the back all night beginning with his heat race where brought home a sixth place finish aboard the Don’s Landscaping, Performance Supply, Matco Tools No. 9. He then started towards the rear in the main event and was trying hard to move forward, but suffered a flat tire on the 14th lap and was forced to pit to get it fixed. He got back out for the restart, but pulled off shortly after to put an end to the night.
Next up for the Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Car Series will be the annual Wednesday night invitational event, which occurs on September 3 at Silver Dollar Speedway and pits the top 22 drivers in points against each other to help open the 55th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. The evening of racing will mark the 28th and final point race for the JPM wingless season and Mason will go into it ranking third in the standings with Cody continuing to sit right behind in the fourth.
The front gate will open at 5pm on Wednesday September 3 with adult general admission tickets costing $20, juniors $12 and kids $5. Also in action during the night will be the traveling California Civil War winged 360 sprint car series. For more info on the Myers Brothers Racing Team please visit our website at http://www.mbracingteam.com/index.html
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Mason Myers very nearly got his first career wingless sprint car victory on Friday at the Silver Dollar Speedway, until a broken shock and a fast moving Keith Bloom Jr. denied that chance on the very last corner. The Myers Brothers Racing Team will look to finish off the '08 point season with a good run at the finale on September 3
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