|
1.jpg)
Photo by Johns Racing Photos
Stephen Allard puts on late race charge to score top 10 in Chico/ Misfortune strikes while leading at Placerville
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA - May 7, 2007...Chico’s Stephen Allard rode the ragged edge of the Silver Dollar Speedway clay on Friday night at Point Race #6 and scored an eighth place finish from the back after having to go to the work area in the middle of the race. The Silver Dollar Speedway had remained hooked up all night and Stephen drove the 1m Racing, Rocket Chassis machine to the limit the last handful of laps.
The night started out with 28 410 sprint cars taking to the clocks in qualifying and Stephen’s fastest lap of 12.212 put the Cross Creek Trucking, Finley Farms, Platinum Powder Coating No. 1m 17th overall.
Stephen found himself on the front row for the night’s opening heat race and he pounced into the lead at the waving of the green flag. SA had to fend off Andy Forsberg and Brad Sweet who were applying heavy pressure to the rear of the No. 1m. Stephen looked really good as he held off all challengers and brought home the win aboard the Johnny’s Lock & Safe, Chico Bail Bonds, Miller’s Glass, JP’s Paint & Body, Rockett Chassis No. 1m. It marked the third heat race win of the season at Silver Dollar Speedway for Stephen and 1m Racing.
With qualifying 17th quickest it stuck Stephen way back in the 13th starting position for the night’s 25 lap feature event. The track was very fast and hadn’t slowed down at all over the duration of the night. A caution came out on lap nine and Stephen went to the work area which forced him restart at the rear of the field. He was able to get pushed back onto the track to rejoin the field.
As the laps wound down SA found the high side to his liking and began to blow around the cushion with just a few laps left in the race. Stephen put on a show and was able to get around a handful of cars to bring the Hunt Magnetos, Bell Helmets, DMI, Rocket Chassis No. 1m home in eighth. Stephen did a beautiful job to get a solid run out of a night that very well could have been a disappointment.
On Saturday Stephen drove the No. 2sb car owned by Scott Miller in the $3,000 to win Tribute to Al Hinds at Placerville Speedway. Stephen qualified eighth quick in the field of 46 Civil War 360 sprint cars with a lap of 10.875. SA then drove from fifth to second in the night’s fourth and final heat race to earn a spot in the 30 lap feature.
Stephen found himself on the outside of the front row for the 30 lap Tribute to Al Hinds main event. As the green flag came out SA jumped into the lead and took command of the race. Strong winds during the day made for a dusty and slick surface during the feature but Stephen held a nice advantage early on.
As Stephen was out front leading and looking for his first win of 2007, disaster struck midway through the race. Another car wrecked in front of Stephen in turn two and SA had nowhere to go and made contact with the car that had flipped. Stephen was able to keep going but after going back green he came to a stop as the contact had broken something on the No. 2sb machine. It was disappointing to have something out of your control take away a shot at winning a big race like the Al Hinds Memorial, but Stephen will put it behind him and go on to the next race with a positive outlook like he always does.
Up next for Stephen and 1m Racing is the big two-day Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial weekend at Silver Dollar Speedway this weekend. Friday night will serve as Point Race #7 and will feature the highest paying winners share of the point race season as the winner of the 25 lap feature will pocket $2,350.
On Saturday the 17th running of the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial will take place at Silver Dollar and will be sanctioned by the Golden State Challenge Series. The event pays tribute to racing star Dave Bradway Jr. who was taken from us in a crash at the Skagit Speedway in 1987. The event has been going on since 1991 and is always the biggest race of the season for the Golden State Challenge Series. Extra money is up for grabs all night which makes it a great event for all the teams and drivers. Stephen came very close to winning the race in 2005, only to have overheating issues park him on the infield just a handful of laps from the finish. With a little luck, Stephen has a shot at taking this year’s running of the Bradway to avenge the defeat in ‘05.
For more news and info on Stephen Allard and 1m Racing log onto http://www.stephenallard.com
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
|
.JPG)
