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Jonathan Allard sets new GSC track record & wins 4^th career Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial with exciting last lap pass at Silver Dollar Speedway

By Gary Thomas

Chico, CA – May 9, 2009…After finishing runner-up on three separate occasions this year with the Golden State Challenge Series Chico's Jonathan Allard was poised to not let it happen again on Saturday and the two-time King of California did just that by executing a thrilling last turn pass to claim victory at the 19^th annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial.

It marked Allard's fourth career win in the prestigious event held at Silver Dollar Speedway and tied him with Brent Kaeding for the most all-time victories in Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial history. "I was either going to win it or wear it out because I'm getting tired of these second place finishes," Allard said. "I don't think I've ever driven a last turn harder than that and I'm just glad it stuck so I could give this team a win. The Bradway is such a huge race and it means so much to me and it feels outstanding to win it for the fourth time."

Allard started from the pole in the 40 lap main event by way of winning the dash for the second time this season with the Golden State Challenge Series and at the waving of the green flag settled into second behind USAC National Sprint Car & Midget star Brad Sweet. Allard stalked Sweet for most of the event as he kept him within striking distance for virtually the entire running of the feature, but a number of stoppages kept drivers out of traffic for much of the running. With Sweet being mistake free out front Allard was forced to do everything possible to try and make something happen in the open track.

During a couple of the caution periods Allard then went up and tested the high side of turns three and four and looked have something in his arsenal if he were to stay close enough to Sweet over the final laps. With the race winding down it played out exactly how the 32 year-old driver wanted as he was able to stay right with Sweet and coming to the white flag looked to high line, but couldn't get the drive off turn four. He remained focused however, and stayed with it as he charged after Sweet heading down the back stretch and then gave it one last shot heading into the final corners. Allard rocketed to the high-scary side in turn three and proceeded to blast around Sweet coming off turn four to claim the ultra exciting victory.

Ironically the previous Golden State Challenge Series event had seen Allard lose a win on the last lap, but in the always interesting twist of racing was able to reverse his luck at the biggest event of the season for the traveling 410 club. "We've been right there each and every night so it really is great to get the monkey off our backs and finally get our first win of the year with Golden State," said the driver of the Williams Motorsports, K&N Filters, Platinum Powder Coating No. 0. "I just have to thank Morrie & Katie Williams, Ashley Smith and every member of this team because we had one heckuva car all night long."

The main event win wasn't the only highlight of the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial for Allard though, as he also re-set the all-time Golden State Challenge Series track record at Silver Dollar Speedway, with a clocking of 11.119 around the quarter-mile bullring. For his fast time effort Allard also won a solid $1,520 due to extra money being put up by a number of gracious people. "I really want to thank all of the people who have donated money and stuff for this race because it really is an awesome thing everyone does to make the Bradway such a big night."

When adding up all the money won from qualifying, lap money in the A-main and the feature victory, Allard picked up $6,700 for the night, marking one of the highest paydays in Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial history. The Chico native was also presented during the night with his award for winning the 2008 Motorsports Press Association Northern California Open Wheel Oval Track Driver of the Year. "This award means a lot to me and the team and it's really cool to be recognized for last season," Allard said.

To view the last lap of the Bradway Memorial visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_UL06mO3A8&feature=player_embedded

Next up for Jonathan Allard and Williams Motorsports will be a double-header weekend beginning with a Feather Falls Casino point race on Friday evening at Silver Dollar Speedway. Then on Saturday it will be on down to the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway for the eighth event of the Golden State Challenge Series season.

For more information on two-time King of California Jonathan Allard please visit our website at http://www.allardmotorsports.com

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Jonathan Allard won his fourth career Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial on Saturday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway, tying Brent Kaeding for most all-time wins in the history of the prestigious event.

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

After winning the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Chico's Jonathan Allard will go into the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway this coming Saturday in a virtual dead heat with Los Angeles, CA's Tyler Walker for the top spot in the Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series standings.

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

In addition to winning the Bradway on Saturday Allard also set fast time and finished third in the main event on Friday evening at the Silver Dollar Speedway

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

Leo Durocher was wrong

And Yogi Berra was right.

Damn right Mike, "It's never over till it's over"!