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Tracks >> ANTIOCH SPEEDWAY >> Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds Saturday Night At Antioch
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Message started by C.W. on 05/15/15 at 1:31am

Title: Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds Saturday Night At Antioch
Post by C.W. on 05/15/15 at 1:31am

This is just a little something I put out to a few sources to spread the word for Antioch. As always, I'm unofficial, just trying to help the cause...

Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds Return To Antioch Speedway

You can take your pick of Sprint Car races this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. You have the injected and Winged 360 Sprint Cars or the carbureted Wingless Spec Sprints. IMCA Modifieds are also back along with Northern All Stars Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks.

The Winged 360 Sprint Cars will compete in their third of eight scheduled races as the track establishes its own division. After a Top 5 finish last time, Antioch's Shawn Arriaga leads Cotati's Jake Haulot by six points and defending champion Chris Magoon by 12 points. Santa Rosa's Art McCarthy is 14 points behind the leader, while Antioch's Dan Gonderman is fifth.

Gonderman is a two time Wingless Spec Sprint champion, and that division returns this week as well. With two wins so far, Kyle Bakkie of Citrus Heights leads Antioch's Rick Panfili by 20 points. Tracy's Marcus Smith is 28 points out of the lead after an impressive second place finish last time out. Concord's Jimmy Perry III became the fourth winner in six races last time the division competed.

The IMCA Modified point battle remains tight after four time champion Scott Busby won his second feature of the season. The Martinez driver trails San Pablo's Bobby Motts Jr. by just one point. Defending champion Carl Berendsen II of Antioch has a four point lead over Manteca's Dustin Himes in the battle for third. Troy Foulger of Martinez is a two time winner this year and ranks fifth in the standings.

Larry Damitz won his third Limited Late Model feature last time out. The 86 year old Vallejo resident leads Mark Garner of Antioch and Mike Hynes of Suisun by 18 points. Concord's Mike Gustafson is 24 points out. After winning his fourth race at Merced last week, Garner holds a commanding lead there, but he's on a quest for his second Antioch win.

Vacaville's Kimo Oreta holds a commanding lead in his bid for a third straight Hobby Stock championship. He won his second feature last week. Danny Jones of Castro Valley finished second for the third time this season to take a nine point lead over Bay Point's Michael Cooper in the battle for second in points. Rookie Jordan Swank is only 20 points out of third after his recent fourth place finish.

Antioch Speedway Top 5 At A Glance

Winged 360 Sprint
Shawn Arriaga 92
Jake Haulot 86
Chris Magoon 80
Art McCarthy 78
Dan Gonderman 70

Wingless Spec Sprint
Kyle Bakkie 290
Rick Panfili 270
Marcus Smith 262
Alan Miranda 216
Roy Fisher 194

IMCA Modified
Bobby Motts 180
Scott Busby 179
Carl Berendsen 131
Dustin Himes 127
Troy Foulger 119

Limited Late Model
Larry Damitz 260
Mark Garner 242
Mike Hynes 242
Mike Gustafson 236
Jim Freethy 218

Hobby Stock
Kimo Oreta 418
Dan Jones 293
Michael Cooper 284
Jordan Swank 273
Melissa Myers 264

A Few Other Notes...

I'm a little concerned at what the Sprint Cars will have. I think the Winged class can have anywhere from 6-10 cars, but we're not likely to draw cars from elsewhere with those tracks racing too. Spec Sprints should be in the 8-12 car range. IMCA Modifieds could have the big count in the 10-14 car range, and maybe more. Hobbys seem to be a safe bet at 8-12 cars, and Limited Late Models are in the 6-10 car range.

With Limited Late Models, we have two drivers replacing motors who haven't been seen for a while. John Keith is working on his, and we heard that Peggy Sue Jarred may be ready. We've also seen the car being prepared for past Petaluma Late Model and Baylands American Stock racer Calvin Louis Sr. It's nice, but that doesn't surprise me. John Soares Jr. has always built good race cars.

It's easy to say Larry Damitz will win, but Mark Garner is getting faster. If you catch Mike Gustafson on the right night, watch out, and Jim Freethy will get that new car dialed in. Put Lori Brown on the front row the way her car has been running lately, and she is liable to win. I'm hoping to see a car or two we haven't seen in a while, but we'll find out on Saturday.

Hobby Stocks have been putting on a good show, and Kimo Oreta will have to start no better than tenth as the previous winner. Danny Jones is due, and Brian Zachary looked fast last week. Heard rumblings of a Myers Racing return, which would be nice. Brad and Melissa Myers are both good racers. Drivers like Jordan Swank, Robert Niven, Michael Cooper and Calvin Louis Jr. are stepping up too.

Scott Busby won't say he's running for IMCA Modified points, but it sure looks like he is. Busby may have two wins, but I keep thinking Carl Berendsen II is due. He's got to get comfortable in that old Aaron Crowell car. Speaking of Crowell, we keep hearing he could debut his new car at any time. Add in drivers like Mike Salazar, Jeff Thomas, Josh Combs, Terry Kaiser and Sean O'Gara, and this should be good.

Not sure what to expect from the Winged Sprints, but I think there are a few in the group who are expected that can win. Art McCarthy has the experience edge, but Chris Magoon and Shawn Arriaga are champions as well. Does Jake Haulot want to run for this championship? We'll see if he shows, but he was fast last time. As Dan Gonderman, Roy Fisher and Rick Brophy get more comfortable with the wing, they'll be faster.

When Marcus Smith went from sixth to second on the last lap a few weeks ago, it was an eye opener. This Spec Sprint rookie may be about ready to win. He and Ryon Siverling are fast in this competitive class. Most of the drivers showing up have a legitimate shot at winning. Alan Miranda will be seeking redemption from his spin of last time in a race he probably should have won. Rick Panfilli is looking for his first win in nearly two decades of racing, and point leader Kyle Bakkie is not happy about his DNF last time. We'll see how this one goes, but it should be good.