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Photo by http://www.johnsracingphotos.com
Jonathan Allard scores close runner-up finish at Petaluma with Golden State Challenge 410 Sprint Car Series
By Gary Thomas
Petaluma, CA – April 18, 2009…For the third time in four Golden State Challenge Series starts this year Chico's Jonathan Allard had put himself in position to possibly bring home a victory in the main event, yet at the finish line had to settle for a very close second place finish behind winner Tyler Walker on Saturday night at the Petaluma Speedway.
It marked the second time this season that Allard has finished second to Walker, but kept up his recent trend of consistency at the Petaluma Speedway with his fourth finish of second or better in eight starts at the track since 2005. "A second place finish is good in the long run, but we want some wins and I thought I might have had Tyler off the final corner, but just came up a bit short," Allard said.
The two-time and defending King of California lined-up on the outside of the second row in the main event and settled into third at the waving of the green flag. The 3/8 mile clay oval was very hooked up in the feature and Allard was up on the wheel as he tried to find the right line to put the Williams Motorsports, K&N Filters, Red Line Oil No. 0 on the sticky surface. It was difficult to make things happen in the open track, but as always the case in Petaluma once lapped traffic came into play, the intensity heated up.
Around lap 12 slower cars began to appear and it allowed Allard to close in on second running Tyler Walker and leader Brandon Carey. "JA" followed closely and when Walker made the move to take the lead on lap 15, the Chico driver followed right along into second. Just as soon as he was getting ready to try and do battle with Walker, the caution lights came on with 17 laps down to take the leaders out of traffic. On the restart Allard biked in turns one and two allowing Walker to escape, however, as traffic came into play once again Walker began to bicycle and push in turn two himself, giving the driver of the Platinum Powder Coating, Sharp Insurance, JP's Paint & Body No. 0 an opportunity to close in.
Just as soon as Allard looked for a chance to take the lead though, another yellow flag flew on lap 25 for a spun car in turn four, taking away what looked to be a frantic final lap's shootout in traffic. With the open track things looked to be difficult for Allard, but the two-time GSC champ didn't give up and when traffic appeared with a couple laps left he started to kick things up a notch in the Ashley Smith wrenched sprinter.
With the white flag in the air Allard drove into one as hard as he had all race long and as Walker was dealing with slower cars he was able to charge up to the rear bumper of the green 24 entering turn three. "JA" then shot to the high side of turn four and looked to the outside of Walker, but with a lapper right in front of him he couldn't get the opening he needed and had to settle for second at the stripe. "This place is so exciting when lapped cars come into play and a lot of times it is what decides the races at Petaluma," Allard commented.
Brownell Memorial and Ocean Speedway GSC up next-
Next up for Allard and Williams Motorsports will be a double-header weekend starting with the re-scheduled Bill Brownell Memorial on Friday in Chico, followed by the fifth event of the Golden State Challenge Series season on Saturday at the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville. "We've been in position to win multiple races so far this year so hopefully next weekend we can get back into victory lane at Chico and Watsonville," said Allard, who won the opening point race at Silver Dollar Speedway on April 3.
MSPA Open Wheel Oval Track Driver of the Year Award:
As it was announced last month Chico's Jonathan Allard was selected by the Motor Sports Press Association as the 2008 Open Wheel Oval Track Driver of the Year. The prestigious award is one of the toughest to win according to Bill Sessa, Contributing Editor, Sprint Car and Midget Magazine, Vice-president/Journalism; Motor Sports Press Association. "All of the drivers who have been honored by MSPA over the years are at the top of the sport. Winning the "oval track, open wheel" award is tougher than most because there is so much talent in midgets and sprint cars, including Northern California drivers who win in nationwide series. For many years, it has been our most competitive category."
Allard is expected to receive the award at the upcoming Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial on May 9 at Silver Dollar Speedway.
More news and info on two-time King of California Jonathan Allard can be found at http://www.allardmotorsports.com
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After a second place finish on Saturday at Petaluma, Jonathan Allard will look to put the Williams Motorsports No. 0 into victory lane this coming weekend in Chico and Watsonville. Photo by http://www.stevesracingphotos.com
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