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Photo by http://www.johnsracingphotos.com
Jonathan Allard scores two more podiums at Silver Dollar Speedway over Fourth of July weekend/ Maintains 7 point lead in GSC standings with 7 races to go
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA – July 7, 2009…With his home track of Silver Dollar Speedway returning to action two-time King of California Jonathan Allard proceeded to continue his stellar consistency this past weekend by scoring two more podium finishes, including his 10th in the past 11 races with the Golden State Challenge Series on Saturday night to maintain a seven point lead in the standings with just seven races remaining.
Friday's Feather Falls Casino point race at Silver Dollar saw the Williams Motorsports, Platinum Powder Coating, JP's Paint & Body No. 0 line-up from the third row in the main event, but Allard would quickly move up into fourth on the opening lap and then slice to third soon after. "JA" then had a huge head of steam on second running Brent Kaeding on lap seven, but the yellow lights flashed on and forced him to get off the second corner to avoid hitting the rear of the No. 69 machine.
Allard slid on the loose dirt off the corner and clipped the end of the work area wall, which sent him torpedoing in the air looking like he was going to go for a wild end-over-end ride. However, the car miraculously came back on all four wheels and he was amazingly able to continue on and resume chase of the leaders. When the green flag waved again Allard was clearly the fastest car on the track, but making passes on the extremely hooked-up bullring was a tricky situation without traffic.
On lap 11 traffic came into play and Kaeding quickly moved under leader Trevor Green for the top spot in turn one and Allard followed along in second, but with a huge stack-up in front of them the pair clipped wheels and unfortunately for Green it ended with his machine getting upside down on the back stretch. Once in second Allard gave Kaeding everything he could handle as the pair charged around the lightning fast speedway nose-to-tail and side-by-side putting on a great show for the crowd on hand.
With the laps winding down Allard looked to make something happen with Kaeding as traffic came into play once again, but just as soon as it looked like he'd have his opportunity the yellow lights flashed on and took the chance away. The final circuits saw Allard run smoothly in second and cross under the checkered flag in the runner-up spot behind Kaeding. "We definitely wanted lap traffic tonight with the way the track was," the 32 year-old said. "I think we would have had something for "BK" in traffic, but in the open track he was just real good and didn't make any mistakes."
Coming back on Saturday for the 17th Round of action with the Golden State Challenge Series Allard began the night by setting his series high sixth fast-time award in qualifying at the helm of the Williams Motorsports, K&N Filters, Red Line Oil No. 0 sprinter. A third place finish in the opening heat race and a runner-up in the dash then set the Chico native up with a front row starting spot in the main event.
The initial start of the 30 lap feature saw Allard jump into the lead, but a spun car in turn four created a complete restart. When the green came back on pole sitter Bud Kaeding got the jump this time around and when Allard slid a bit high in turn two it gave Tyler Walker the chance to sneak into second. With rubber quickly developing it made tough conditions for passing and after 30 laps of racing Allard brought home a third place finish. "We definitely didn't want to see that caution come out on the first lap because with the way the track was I think we would have had a good shot at sitting out front for 30 laps," Allard said.
Despite not picking up a victory the weekend as a whole was a success and allowed Allard to hang on to a seven point lead in the Golden State Challenge Series standings going into Santa Maria this Saturday. "Early in the race I kinda hung back because Bud and Tyler were running each other pretty hard and thought I might be in a good position if they made contact while doing so, but they did a good job and it never happened," Allard said. "I have to thank all these people for coming out and watching us tonight and have to give kudos to all my guys for working hard all weekend and I'll be trying my hardest to get them a win real soon."
For more news on Chico, CA's Jonathan Allard log onto http://www.allardmotorsports.com
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After a third place finish on Saturday night two-time & defending King of California Jonathan Allard will bring a seven point lead over Brent Kaeding and a 12 point advantage over third running Tyler Walker in the Golden State Challenge Series standings heading into the inaugural Doug Fort Memorial this Saturday at the Santa Maria Speedway. Photo by http://www.graphxdesigns.com
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