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Photo by Bill Sullivan of Sullivan Images
Jonathan Allard runs 10th in Fall Nationals finale following another crowd pleasing battle with Tyler Walker on Friday
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA – October 6, 2009…After having a thrilling fight for the lead on Friday night with '09 King of California Tyler Walker at the 18th annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals Chico, CA's Jonathan Allard came back on Saturday and scored a 10th place finish in the 40-lap finale at the Silver Dollar Speedway.
For the weekend Allard sported the No. 8r on his Williams Motorsports, K&N Filters, JP's Paint & Body Works sprinter in support of Langley, BC's Travis Rutz, who was recently injured during a sprint car crash at the Terra Haute Action Track in Indiana. "I want to thank Morrie Williams for allowing us to do this and have to thank Kevin Sharrah of Kevin Sharrah designs for doing the artwork," Allard said. "I just wanted to do something to try and show our support for Travis because he's a great driver, a great kid and we always enjoy racing with him when we get the chance."
Allard went into the Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals as the defending champion after charging from 13th to first in 2008 for his first ever victory in the prestigious three-night event. Taking part in Friday's preliminary action this past weekend a late qualifying draw left the 33-year-old with an uncharacteristic 19th quick out of 39 cars. He then rebounded by winning the third heat race and putting on an impressive charge from eighth to second in the opening dash, but a yellow/checkered on the final lap reverted the last lap back and Allard was officially scored third in the dash.
Starting fifth in the 30-lap feature Allard quickly moved forward and was up to second by the time 10-circuits had been completed. With the track conditions perfect for racing it set-up yet another dog-fight for the win between Allard and Tyler Walker, two drivers who battled it out all season long with the Golden State Challenge Series. "JA" closed in fast on "T-dub" and would make a beautiful move off the second corner to take command of the race just before the halfway point, but a yellow flag would negate the pass and force him back to second. When the green lights flashed back on Allard would continue hounding the rear of the green 24 machine and on lap 17 he once again made the move for the top spot. This time no yellow came out and he assumed the lead.
Walker didn't go away though and when Allard slipped up a bit with less than 10-laps remaining the Los Angeles driver took advantage and re-claimed the point. Finding himself in second again the Chico native remained composed and stayed glued to Walker's mount, but a pair of late restarts saw this year's King of California get better jumps and Allard was forced to settle for the runner-up spot at the checkered. "I'd like to congratulate Tyler on the win because he drove a heck of race here tonight," said Allard, who has finished second to Walker an amazing seven times now this season. "I also gotta thank Alan Handy for giving us an amazing track tonight, as well as all my guys that work so hard on this team."
Allard came back on Saturday sitting ninth in the overall points to put him in the fifth row for the 40-lap Fall Nationals finale. When the green lights came on he was able to move up a couple positions on the rubber-down surface, but on lap eight another driver made an aggressive move to his inside, which ended with both cars spinning off the first corner. Restarting at the rear Allard began to march his way back forward however, was forced to change a tire during a lap 23 open-red and had to go to the tail once again, before making his way back up to 10th by the end of the race.
16th annual Trophy Cup up next:
Next up for Allard and Williams Motorsports will be the 16th annual Trophy Cup on October 23 and 24 at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway. The two-night 360 sprint car event is one of the few left in Northern California that the veteran driver has yet to win and he'll be looking to accomplish that in a few weeks. "The Trophy Cup is always one of the funnest races we have out here and we're always fast at it, but it seems like each season there's one or two things that happen to us that have taken it out of our reach," said Allard. "We've had a really good year though and have been pretty good at Tulare for the most part so I have a lot of confidence going into the Trophy Cup."
Last year's Trophy Cup saw Allard have engine issues in qualifying that left him with the 42nd fastest time and unable to run his heat race on opening night, which realistically ended his chances at victory right from the get-go.
The highlight of the event last season was a thrilling charge he performed during Friday's action when he went from 18th to third in the b-main and then started 24th in the feature and got all the way up to seventh after 30-laps of exciting racing. "Last year was a real downer for us on opening night to have the problems because after we got them figured out this car was a rocket ship," said the two-time King of California, who scored a pair of podiums and fifth place finish in three GSC events at the Thunderbowl this season. "It's going to be a really good field as always and we can't wait."
For more news on Chico's Jonathan Allard log onto http://www.allardmotorsports.com and for more information on the 16th annual Trophy Cup please visit http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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In a replay of the Golden State Challenge Series season Chico's Jonathan Allard and Los Angeles' Tyler Walker fought it out for the victory on Friday's prelim at the 18th annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals this past weekend. Photo by http://www.graphxdesigns.com
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
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