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Graph X Designs Photo
Stephen Allard continues hot pace, wins for second time in ‘07 at Silver Dollar Speedway
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA - June 29, 2007... At this time last year Chico’s Stephen Allard was one week away from being without a ride after he split ways with another team. Two weeks following that he re-united with former car owner Skip Jones and success has been seen ever since. This season Stephen & 1m Racing set out to chase the Silver Dollar Speedway track title and after winning for the second time in 2007 this past Friday night, that goal is becoming clearer as Stephen tries to close in on his first solo track championship at his home track.
Stephen began Feather Falls Casino/Riebe’s Auto Parts Point Race #13 by qualifying 11th quickest aboard the Johnny’s Lock & Safe, Platinum Powder Coating, Miller’s Glass, Rocket Chassis No. 1m. Following a third place finish in his heat race, 1m Racing had to perform an engine change and after that, SA was set for the main event and with brother Jonathan pulling the number eight pill for the inversion, he found himself on the pole. Starting alongside Stephen was the driver that sits directly behind him in the Silver Dollar Speedway points standings, defending track champ Andy Forsberg. Going into turn one, however, Forsberg bicycled and flipped to end the night for the 92 machine. This gave Stephen a prime opportunity to pick up a lot of points on Forsberg, and he didn’t disappoint.
Throughout the race SA was on a rail around the 1/4 mile bullring as pulled out to a huge lead in the Cross Creek Trucking, Finley Farms, Chico Bail Bonds, Graph X Designs No. 1m. Stephen was on the hammer and was very aggressive early on when he had to deal with lap traffic. Being aggressive in traffic gave Stephen some breathing room as a couple cautions late in the race slowed the pace of the 25 lap contest.
With less than five laps left in the feature, national touring star Tim Kaeding began to close the gap as Stephen was dealing with heavy traffic on the quick and hooked up Silver Dollar Speedway surface. As the two to go signal was getting ready to be given, the caution flew for a stalled car on the backstretch. SA had no lap cars in between himself and Kaeding which meant he had to be nearly perfect on the green/white/checkered restart. As the green light came on for the final time Stephen hit his marks and brought home a big win aboard the JP’s Paint & Body Works, Hunt Magnetos, Bell Helmets, Ringers Gloves No. 1m.
On the front straightaway after the race, Stephen spoke into Troy Hennig’s microphone and said, "Under the last caution I knew Tim was coming because I looked up at the scoreboard and saw #10. I knew I had to go because Tim will drive a car as hard as anybody, but I knew if I hit my marks we’d be fine." He continued, "I want to thank everybody that helps out on this team, all our sponsors, crew and the fans for coming out and supporting us."
Stephen and 1m Racing will be right back in action at Silver Dollar Speedway on Wednesday night for a special July 4 event. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display. The grandstands open an hour earlier than usual and the crowd is always huge at this event so plan to arrive early. Stephen will go into the night less than five points behind brother Jonathan for the lead in the Feather Falls Casino Friday night point series at Silver Dollar. Jonathan’s team, however, hasn’t competed at the 4th of July show the last few years so Stephen could very well inherit the point lead on Wednesday.
For more on Stephen Allard and 1m Racing visit http://www.stephenallard.com
Photos by Davy Thomas
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