This message was edited on
July 05, 2007 at
02:38:30 PM by Gary Thomas
Stephen Allard wins July 4 spectacular
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA - July 4, 2007...With the weather reaching blazing hot conditions on July 4 in Northern California, Chico’s Stephen Allard turned it up just a notch as he made the last lap count and picked up an electrifying victory at Silver Dollar Speedway. The fight for the lead during the 25 lap contest was just as hot as the weather outside that had reached triple digits and made for some very tough conditions during the special July 4 point race at Silver Dollar Speedway.
Stephen started off the holiday night of competition by qualifying fifth quick and finishing fourth in his heat race. Even with the hot temps, the track surface remained very quick early on. Fast qualifier Tim Kaeding pulled the number eight pill for the inversion and with three of the top five qualified cars not making it through their heats, it put the Johnny’s Lock & Safe, JP’s Paint & Body, Miller’s Glass, Platinum Powder Coating No.1m on the inside of row three for the feature.
The early part of the race was a bit strange as pole sitter Johnny Gray only lasted a couple laps before pulling to the work area and under the caution third running Kaeding pulled to the pits with mechanical issues as well. Just after all this happened, leader Jonathan Allard, who was running in a Fauver/Rudeen Racing No. 0, was dq’d because of muffler issues. For the restart Stephen found himself in second place behind Trevor Green and the final 23 laps would be clicked off non-stop.
Stephen hung back a few laps after the restart but as traffic came into play, the Cross Creek Trucking, Finley Farms, Fragola, Chico Bail Bonds No. 1m came to dance. SA closed in on Green quickly and put heavy pressure to the rear of the Australian native. Midway through the race Stephen found the high line in turns one and two but as soon as he got back to turn three, he was forced to get back to the bottom like everybody else. To make the pass, it appeared that he had to get close to Green in turn one, then power around the outside in turn two, but he would have to get in front of Green before getting to turn three.
As the laps ticked off the story was the same but as the white flag waved, SA gave it his all as he got a great run on the top of turns one and two and got side by side with Green heading down the back stretch. Going into turn three Stephen made a gorgeous move to cut as low as he could without touching Green and with lap cars in front of them, SA used the momentum from the high side to beat Green to the line and pick up the win aboard the Hunt Magnetos, Rocket Chassis, Tom Rolfe Trucking, Medi-Pro Billing No. 1m.
It was a huge win for Stephen and 1m Racing and made it three victories in the last five point races at Silver Dollar Speedway. Stephen has now taken over the point lead at Silver Dollar with six races left before the track champ is crowned. 1m Racing will go for win #4 tomorrow night at another point race in Chico where temps are once again expected to hit triple-digits plus.
For more on Stephen Allard and 1m Racing visit http://www.stephenallard.com
Photos by Davy Thomas
Stephen before heading out and pocketing win #3 on the season
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