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PROWS CLAIMS FIRST MODIFIED VICTORY AT VENTURA RACEWAY
by Lee Elder
VENTURA, Calif. (March 28, 2009) – Ojai’s Brad Prows survived a rugged race to earn his first career victory in an IMCA Modified at Ventura Raceway Saturday. It was Prows’ first victory in any racecar since 2001 when he drove in the now defunct Street Stock division.
Saturday’s race card included 10 divisions and attracted 153 entrants, the track’s best car count of the young season.
Jay Bowman and Christian Copley led in the early laps of the Modified feature. Copley led after 10 laps but spun out after a restart, allowing Prows to go to the front. He was not headed.
“I was just trying to avoid trouble,” Prows admitted. “I had a lot of fast cars in front of me spinning out.”
Prows said he started driving in the Modified class in 2003. He won twice in the Street Stock, but the first Modified win took a while.
“I didn’t know how long I was going to be able to hold on to (the lead),” Prows said with a smile. “The race track was getting dry.”
The other winners included Kevin Kierce (Sprint Cars), Brian Saxton (Pro Dwarfs), Kevin Alverson (Senior Dwarfs), Jimmy Dodson (NMRA TQ midgets), Brent Underwood (Sport Compact, Rear Wheel Drive), James Brown (Sport Compact, Front Wheel Drive), Austin Figueroa (Junior Midgets), Zachery Gilmore (Mini Dwarf, Pistons) and Oliver Blades (Mini Dwarf, Superchargers).
Kierce, who lives in Reseda, led every lap but he traded the lead with Greg Taylor twice on the last lap. Taylor slipped under Kierce as they raced into the first turn of the last lap but Kierce, the defending class champion, crossed under Taylor as they exited the second turn. The pair swapped the lead in the same way through turns three and four before Kierce won the charge to the finish line.
“I was getting hand signals and I saw him closing,” Kierce said. “I figured it was Greg.”
Underwood, of Camarillo, was the Rear Wheel Drive winner for the third straight race. He is undefeated this season among the Rear Wheel Drive Sport Compact cars at Ventura. The Rear Wheel Drive cars race with the Front Wheel Drive cars in the Sport Compact division. They are scored separately.
Ventura Raceway Race Results for 03/28/2009
VRA Sprint Cars -- 1. Kevin Kierce, Reseda, 30 Laps; 2. Greg Taylor, Ventura, 30 Laps; 3. Steve Conrad, Quartz Hill, 30 Laps; 4. Guy Woodward, Santa Clarita, 30 Laps; 5. Richard McCormick, Aqua Dulce, 30 Laps; 6. Don Gansen, Raito, 30 Laps; 7. Bruce Douglass, Ventura, 30 Laps; 8. Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, 30 Laps; 9. Greg Alexander, Gardena, 30 Laps; 10. Chris Wakim, Simi Valley, 30 Laps; 11. Tyler Edwards, Ventura, 29 Laps; 12. Brandon Thomson, Ventura, 29 Laps; 13. John Nock, Newhall, 29 Laps; 14. Oren Prosser Jr, Agoura Hills, 29 Laps; 15. Luis Espinoza, Castaic, 29 Laps; 16. Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, 29 Laps; 17. Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, 18 Laps; 18. Tom Hendricks, Simi Valley, 6 Laps; 19. Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, 2 Laps; 20. Eric Chambers, Ventura, 1 Lap.
Lap Leaders -- Kevin Kierce (1-30).
Top 10 in points -- 1. Kevin Kierce, 735; 2. Greg Taylor, 650; 3. Greg Alexander, 630; 4. Brian Camarillo, 535; 5. Richard McCormick, 515; 6. Chris Wakim, 495; 7. Rick Hendrix, 475; 8. Cody Kershaw, 445; 9. Steve Conrad, 430; 10. Luis Espinoza, 425.
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IMCA Modifieds -- 1. Brad Prows, Ojai, 12 Laps; 2. Rick Rodarte, Ventura, 12 Laps; 3. Austin Rodarte, Ventura, 12 Laps; 4. Danny Lauer, Santa Maria, 12 Laps; 5. Steve Smith, Long Beach, 12 Laps; 6. Mike McGraw, Oak View, 12 Laps; 7. Jay Bowman, Santa Barbara, 12 Laps; 8. Ron Wiley, Santa Maria, 12 Laps; 9. Rob Green, Ojai, 12 Laps; 10. Christian Copley, Santa Ynez, 12 Laps; 11. Jim Evans, Ventura, 12 Laps; 12. Jared Domingos, Santa Maria, 11 Laps; 13. Damon Redman, Santa Paula, 10 Laps; 14. Jack Parker, Simi Valley, 10 Laps; 15. Wes Richardson, Ventura, 9 Laps; 16. Steve Klingberg, Ojai, 5 Laps; 17. Greg Tucker, Ojai, 4 Laps; 18. Gary Curtis, Camarillo, 3 Laps; 19. James Stowe, Rosamond, 2 Laps; 20. Steve Bulpitt, Culver City, Did not show.
Lap Leaders -- Jay Bowman (1-5), Christian Copley (6-10), Brad Prows (11-12).
Top 10 in points -- 1. Danny Lauer, 77; 2. Austin Rodarte, 74; 3. Brad Prows, 72; 4. Ron Wiley, 71; 4. Steve Smith, 71; 6. Damon Redman, 65; 6. Mike McGraw, 65; 6. Christian Copley, 65; 9. Jared Domingos, 56; 9. Jay Bowman, 56; 9. Gary Curtis, 56; 9. Jack Parker, 56.
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VRA Pro Dwarf Cars -- 1. Brian Saxton, Mentone, 15 Laps; 2. Curt Cook, Santa Paula, 15 Laps; 3. Ray Estrada, Yucaipa, 15 Laps; 4. Mike Lewis, Sunland, 15 Laps; 5. Steven Benson, Valencia, 15 Laps; 6. Marc Lippert, Granada Hills, 15 Laps; 7. Angel Figueroa, El Segundo, 15 Laps; 8. Jeff Fillingame, Santa Paula, 15 Laps; 9. Lee Majors, Simi Valley, 15 Laps; 10. Michael Sweeney Jr, Whittier, 15 Laps; 11. Russell Blades, Moorpark, 15 Laps; 12. Glen Benton, Thousand Oaks, 15 Laps; 13. Alex Wood, San Dimas, 15 Laps; 14. Tom Stephens Jr, Ventura, 14 Laps; 15. Victor Castillo, 14 Laps; 16. Kevin Calvo, Agua Dulce, 12 Laps; 17. Chris Olson, Chino Hills, 12 Laps; 18. Chris Cross, 11 Laps; 19. Thomas Velasquez, Camarillo, 9 Laps; 20. Eric Moore, Ventura, 4 Laps; 21. Tom Stephens Sr, Ventura, 1 Lap; 22. Jesse Baker, Agoura Hills, Did not show.
Lap Leaders -- Chris Olson (1), Brian Saxton (2-15).
Top 10 in points -- 1. Ray Estrada, 445; 2. Brian Saxton, 390; 3. Angel Figueroa, 385; 4. Curt Cook, 380; 5. Marc Lippert, 365; 5. Lee Majors, 365; 5. Steven Benson, 365; 8. Mike Lewis, 345; 9. Chris Olson, 340; 10. Jeff Fillingame, 325.
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VRA Senior Dwarf Cars -- 1. Kevin Alverson, Thousand Oaks, 20 Laps; 2. Tom Bellinger, Cypress, 20 Laps; 3. Mike Neal, Northridge, 20 Laps; 4. Kent Benson, Valencia, 20 Laps; 5. George Calvo, Agua Dulce, 20 Laps; 6. Bill Van Praag, Ventura, 20 Laps; 7. Ed Niedzwiecki, Ventura, 20 Laps; 8. Mark Davis, Ventura, 20 Laps; 9. George Sack Jr, Aqua Dulce, 20 Laps; 10. Ron Capodieci, Saugus, 20 Laps; 11. Linda Taylor, San Dimas, 20 Laps; 12. Dave Revard, Ventura, 20 Laps; 13. Cindy Addison, Oxnard, 19 Laps; 14. Tom Davis, Chino, 19 Laps; 15. Dave Dotson, Thousand Oaks, 18 Laps; 16. Keith Koslov, Agoura, 11 Laps.
Top 10 in points -- 1. Bill Van Praag, 450; 2. Mike Neal, 410; 3. George Sack Jr, 395; 4. Kevin Alverson, 390; 5. George Calvo, 380; 6. Ed Niedzwiecki, 375; 6. Tom Bellinger, 375; 8. Kent Benson, 370; 9. Ron Capodieci, 345; 10. Mark Davis, 325.
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NMRA TQ Midgets -- 1. Jimmy Dodson, Bakersfield, 12 Laps; 2. Richard Ortega Jr, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 3. West Evans, Moorpark, 12 Laps; 4. Anthony Lopicollo, Brea, 12 Laps; 5. Scott Niven, Moorpark, 12 Laps; 6. Chuck West, Clovis, 12 Laps; 7. Dave Lambert, 12 Laps; 8. Dakota Schwietzer, 12 Laps; 9. Kenny Wiley, Sunland, 9 Laps; 10. Scott Dobson, Newbury Park, 9 Laps; 11. Greg Edenholm, 9 Laps; 12. Nick Cali, Camarillo, 7 Laps; 13. Bruce Hiroshima, Camarillo, Did not start; 14. Amanda Thomas, La Harbra, Did not start.
Lap Leaders -- Jimmy Dodson (1-12).
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VRA Sport Compact (Rear Wheel) -- 1. Brent Underwood, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 2. Bill Changus, Fillmore, 20 Laps; 3. Brandon Reta, Ventura, 20 Laps; 4. Jason Marshall, Ventura, 20 Laps; 5. Ryan Changus, Port Hueneme, 20 Laps; 6. Glen Underwood, Camarillo, 19 Laps; 7. April Banvelos, 13 Laps; 8. Brad Long, Burbank, 12 Laps; 9. Christian Copley, Santa Ynez, 11 Laps; 10. Cody Greiman, Camarillo, 5 Laps; 11. Corey McKinney, Ventura, 0 Laps.
Top 10 in points -- 1. Brent Underwood, 745; 2. Bill Changus, 595; 3. Cody Greiman, 570; 3. Brad Long, 570; 5. Brandon Reta, 540; 6. Corey McKinney, 490; 7. Glen Underwood, 475; 7. Ryan Changus, 475; 9. Jason Marshall, 400; 10. Justin Kierce, 185.
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VRA Sport Compact (Front Wheel) -- 1. James Brown, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 2. Joel Chavez Jr., Santa Paula, 20 Laps; 3. Darren Gunnell, Santa Paula, 20 Laps; 4. Roger Sutton, Camarillo, 6 Laps; 5. John Butcher, Santa Barbara, 0 Laps.
Lap Leaders -- James Brown (1-6), Joel Chavez Jr. (7-15), James Brown (16-20).
Top 10 in points -- 1. James Brown, 745; 2. Joel Chavez Jr., 705; 3. Darren Gunnell, 610; 4. John Butcher, 570; 5. Roger Sutton, 390; 6. Jess Carlucci, 365; 7. Randal Dougan, 225.
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VRA Junior Midgets -- 1. Austin Figueroa, El Segundo, 15 Laps; 2. Nick Valenzuela, Ventura, 15 Laps; 3. Riley Helland, Ventura, 15 Laps; 4. Tyler Jerman, Palmdale, 15 Laps; 5. Luke Boles, Goleta, 15 Laps; 6. Brennan Rogers, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 7. Devin McCree, Ventura, 15 Laps; 8. Cameron Dougan, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 9. Michaela Stanton, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 10. Ricky Lewis, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 11. Kayle Brazel, Granada Hills, 15 Laps; 12. Cody Majors, Simi Valley, 5 Laps; 13. Chase Lippert, Granada Hills, 5 Laps; 14. Amanda Poertner, Fullerton, Did not show.
Lap Leaders -- Nick Valenzuela (1-11), Austin Figueroa (12-15).
Top 10 in points -- 1. Tyler Jerman, 460; 2. Austin Figueroa, 455; 3. Luke Boles, 440; 4. Nick Valenzuela, 420; 5. Brennan Rogers, 405; 6. Riley Helland, 380; 7. Devin McCree, 330; 8. Cody Majors, 305; 8. Cameron Dougan, 305; 10. Ricky Lewis, 285.
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VRA Mini Dwarf (Pistons) -- 1. Zachery Gilmore, Woodland Hills, 12 Laps; 2. Joe Snyder, Westlake, 12 Laps; 3. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 4. Kyle Peterson, Santa Clarita, 12 Laps; 5. Cody Arthur, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 6. JP Cardillo, Somis, 11 Laps; 7. Connor Wakim, Simi Valley, 11 Laps; 8. Cole Wakim, Simi Valley, 11 Laps; 9. Ryann Butcher, Ventura, 9 Laps; 10. Destyn Garcia, Oxnard, 1 Lap; 11. Waylon Majors, Did not show.
Lap Leaders -- Zachery Gilmore (1-12).
Top 10 in points -- 1. Zachery Gilmore, 515; 2. Joe Snyder, 450; 3. Nick Velasquez, 440; 4. Kyle Peterson, 380; 5. JP Cardillo, 365; 6. Cody Arthur, 360; 7. Cole Wakim, 355; 8. Connor Wakim, 340; 9. Ryann Butcher, 295; 10. Waylon Majors, 155.
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VRA Mini Dwarf (Superchargers) -- 1. Oliver Blades, Moorpark, 12 Laps; 2. Miles Hedrick, Simi Valley, 12 Laps; 3. Joseph Magana, Port Hueneme, 12 Laps; 4. Tommy Velasquez III, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 5. Ricky Lewis, Oxnard, 12 Laps; 6. Alexis Mann, Simi Valley, 11 Laps; 7. Joey Freshour, Ventura, 11 Laps; 8. Cameron McCauley, Westlake, 11 Laps; 9. Olivia Redman, Ventura, 11 Laps.
Lap Leaders -- Miles Hedrick (1-6), Oliver Blades (7-12).
Top 10 in points -- 1. Oliver Blades, 495; 2. Tommy Velasquez III, 440; 3. Cameron McCauley, 415; 3. Joseph Magana, 415; 5. Miles Hedrick, 400; 6. Ricky Lewis, 380; 6. Joey Freshour, 380; 8. Alexis Mann, 350; 9. Olivia Redman, 325.
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