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Tracks >> ANTIOCH SPEEDWAY >> Winged Sprint Cars, A Modifieds Highlight Five Division Show At Antioch
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Message started by C.W. on 04/22/16 at 1:27pm

Title: Winged Sprint Cars, A Modifieds Highlight Five Division Show At Antioch
Post by C.W. on 04/22/16 at 1:27pm

Here is an unofficial preview of Saturday night's races at Antioch Speedway. Just trying to help get the word out.

Winged Sprint Cars, A Modifieds Highlight Five Division Show At Antioch Speedway

Racing resumes at Antioch Speedway this Saturday night with another five division show that is sure to entertain the fans. Taking their turns on the fast three-eighth mile clay oval this week will be the high horse powered Winged 360 Sprint Cars, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars.

When last we saw the Winged Sprint Cars, division mainstay Art McCarthy was collecting the Main Event victory. A multi time champion in Sprint Car racing, Art had his hand full with Jarrett Soares, who was gunning for his first Antioch win after collecting a heat race victory earlier in the evening. McCarthy was not to be denied as he served notice that he's the man to beat in this year's championship chase. Art is coming off of back to back Top 3 point seasons.

Back in third was another of this division's past Wingless Spec Sprint champions, Billy Aton. Aton hasn't been seen at the speedway over the past few seasons, but he won Winged Sprint Car races back in 2011. An Aton commitment to the 15 race schedule could signal that he is the main challenger to McCarthy's bid for a championship. Another driver to keep an eye on could be 2014 champion Chris Magoon, who collected a fourth place finish last time out.

Others to keep an eye on will be past Spec Sprint champion Dan Gonderman, who is coming off his best season yet in Winged Sprint Car competition, Ricky Brophy, Brandon Powell and Scott Jaquith. Word is that 2015 champion Shawn Arriaga is putting the motor in his car. Could that mean he'll be racing this week? Stay tuned.

All the talk about Aaron Crowell's chances of being a serious title contender in the A Modifieds was backed up with an impressive feature win in the division's season opener last week. Crowell's win didn't come easily as he had fellow past Antioch champion Kellen Chadwick making a rare appearance with a strong second place showing. Since holding off track legend J.D. Willis for his 2004 championship, Crowell has his sights set on another legend, five time champion Scott Busby.

Busby's drive trough the pack last week ended in a disappointing eighth place finish. Meanwhile, 2014 track titlist Carl Berendsen II had a nice start to his season as he finished third. A past Street Stock feature winner, Carl is aiming for his first A Modified win. Likewise, Josh Combs has high hopes of winning after his Top 5 run in the full field last week.

As it was last season, you never know who will be seen from week to week, but others we anticipate this week include Mikey Slaney and son Anthony Slaney, Sean O'Gara, Jeff Thomas, Trent Wentworth and others. It should be another good show for the division.

The B Modified division's championship battle is still taking shape. The marathon 25 race schedule has some drivers wondering if they can make it that long and others just racing when they can. Coming off of his amazing 2015 championship run, Fred Ryland has skipped a race, but he won the other two races. Ryland could still be a player in the point game if he chooses, and he will certainly be a threat to win any time he's there.

The three names at the top of the list are Trevor Clymens, Brain Pearce and Al Johnson. Pearce has been the most consistent and seems poised to win at any time after three straight Top 5 runs, including two thirds. Johnson and Clymens both have seconds, but Clymens suffered a disappointing outing last time as he pitted a couple laps into the race. Johnson is last season's runner up and is gunning for his first career win.

K.C. Keller is another driver hot on the trail of his first win. He looked good last week in collecting the third place finish behind 2015 "Rookie Of The Year" Patti Ryland. Other drivers we are watching for this week include Chuck Golden, Tim Hammett, Paul Mulder, newcomer Lonnie Leonard and others.

The Hobby Stock race figures to be a wide open battle all year long. Long time speedway observers are predicting a multitude of feature winners this season. There are already two winners so far in long time Stock Car racer Danny Jones and "Rookie Of The Year" Hopeful, Guy Ahlwardt. Neither win was easy as both had to deal with pressure from Michael Cooper, who is in hot pursuit of his first win after back to back seconds. In fact, Jones was right behind Cooper in a three car battle, won impressively by Ahlwardt.

Cameron Swank and cousin Jordan Swank are trying to get their cars dialed in for the Main Event. After his "Rookie Of The Year" and second place point effort last year, Jordan is trying to fight off the sophomore jinx. Cameron won his heat race last time out, but the Main Event was less than he'd hoped for. Either of these two could win on any given night. Other hard chargers to watch out for include Jason Jennings, 2010 champion Chris Sorensen, Chris Long, Natalie Perry, Steven Rogers and others.

The Dwarf Car division might end up being a battle between 2015 champion David Teves and hard charger Mike Corsaro. The teammate of open wheel veteran Charlie Correia, Corsaro shot out of the gate like a cannon ball at the opener with an impressive victory. He followed that up by starting tenth and finishing right on the back bumper of Teves for a second place finish last time out.

There are some racers knocking on the door to victory, and on the top of that list is point leader Kevin Miraglio, who has back to back Top 3 finishes. Another double Top 5 finisher, Josh Miller, could be set to win at any time. Also on the list of hard chargers we anticipate this week are Brian Gray, Jack Haverty, Robert Coe, Miranda Chappa and Tim Reeder. It should be another good race.

It's sure to be another great night at Antioch Speedway with Winged 360 Sprint Cars, A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars on the card. For further information, check out www.antiochspeedway.com.