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Tracks >> MERCED SPEEDWAY >> Merced Speedway 2016 Season Review
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Message started by C.W. on 02/17/17 at 6:01pm

Title: Merced Speedway 2016 Season Review
Post by C.W. on 02/17/17 at 6:01pm

I'm back after an off season of computer issues. Had no functioning hard drive, and the loss of time probably will prevent the book I had planned as the season approaches. Anyway, here's some Merced Speedway news. Lots more to come.

2016 Merced Speedway Season Review

Merced, CA...Merced Speedway entered the 2016 season under the promotion of Ed Parker. Since 1950, the speedway has operated weekly during the spring and summer months. In 2010, that streak was put in jeopardy when the 20 year promotional run of Chuck & Marylee Griffin ended. However, Oval Motorsports came in and saved the season. They had a six season run before passing the baton to Parker. This move was met with positive response from the racers, which resulted in some of the best car counts the track has seen in recent seasons. Parker excelled in his role as promoter and put together a great staff of officials.

Most of the divisions returned, led by IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and the Sportsman division. Parker built the schedule around the track's marquee events and doubled down on the concept of honoring track heritage. The Ted Stofle Classic returned. He also put the Matt & Glass Memorial Race back on the schedule, brought back the popular Timmy Post Memorial and added what was a very successful John Fore Jr. Memorial race at the end of the season. The 2016 Legend's Night was the biggest one yet, and Parker has indicated that it will lead to a Hall Of Fame being established at the track.

The IMCA Modifieds were coming off of a season with some low turnouts, but it was about ready to rebound. Only once in 13 races did they have a field with less than ten cars. When Paul Stone won the opener, it appeared as if he might be the driver to beat, but he took himself out of the running to race elsewhere. Two past Merced champions, Ramie Stone and Bill Egleston, and past Chowchilla champion Randy Brown were the three players in the battle. Egleston was also an early winner, and R. Stone stepped up with a big win in the special All Star Series Tour race. Egleston took himself out of the running to race elsewhere, but the battle was about to take a big turn.

Brown got on a roll during the last eight races that saw him get all five of his wins and never fail to finish inside the Top 3. This left little doubt that he would be the champion. In addition to his five wins, Brown also had three seconds and three third place finishes. R. Stone still had some problems during the season, but his one win out of six Top 5's earned him second in the standings. Hard charger Bruce "Bubba" Nelson won "Rookie Of The Year" honors as the third ranked driver. Though without a win in this division, he had two thirds out of six Top 5 finishes. Despite missing races, Egleston's two wins, two seconds and one third enabled him to eek out a tie with Ricky Thatcher for fourth in the final rundown. Thatcher had three Top 5 finishes.

Highlights during the 13 race IMCA Modified season included a win on Ted Stofle Classic night for Bakersfield visitor Ethan Dotson ahead of Egleston. Robby Sawyer came in from Bakersfield to win on Timmy Post Memorial night ahead of Brown. Brown did win the Matt & Glass Memorial Race ahead of R. Stone. Other winners included Jeff Streeter and Mike Villanueva. Ryan Porter had two season high seconds, while Karl Rose and rookies Ryan Larimer and D.J. Shannon each had one. Tim Balding, Austin Burke, Darrell Hughes II and Nick DeCarlo each had one third as their best finishes at Merced.

The IMCA Sport Modified car count exploded during the first half of the season thanks to a big infusion of new and returning racers. Several B Mains were needed during the season. Though there was some drama in the championship race, it wasn't a close battle. Steve Stone shot out of the gate like a cannon ball with a win, a second and a fourth in his first three starts, but the past Chowchilla Street Stock champion took himself out of the running. However, Rick Diaz had three of his wins in the first five races to take control. Diaz was running the season in dedication to his friend, John Fore Jr. Despite losing his ride during the season and being counted out, Diaz found another ride and didn't miss a beat.

The numbers Diaz posted were the most impressive at the speedway in 2016. Rick won six Main Events, had four seconds and two other Top 5's. He could have skipped the finale and still won the championship. The second place battle was a nail bitter between Mike Drake, Gary Tucker and Tim Elias. Drake held off Tucker by just four points on the strength of one second, two thirds and two other Top 5's. Tucker had a bit of a rough start, but he recovered with one win, one second, four thirds and two additional Top 5's. Elias and fifth place Josh Hensley each had a season high third. Elias had three additional Top 5's, while Hensley had one.

Tucker's win came in the Matt & Glass Memorial Race ahead of Diaz, who amazingly did not miss a Top 2 finish in the last seven races. Nick Spainhoward won the Ted Stofle Classic for Sport Modifieds ahead of Matt Lewis. Levi Keifer came in from down south and won the Timmy Post Memorial ahead of Fred Ryland. Diaz won on Legend's Night ahead of Chase Thomas and another Bakersfield visitor, Clint Reichenbach, won the John Fore Jr. Memorial Race ahead of Lee Jensen.

During the season, reigning IMCA State champion Fred Ryland made the decision to race mainly at Merced, and he steadily rose up the ladder to seventh in the standings on the strength of four wins and four seconds. Sixth ranked Chase Thomas won his first career Main Event. Other season best finishes included Matt Lewis, Anthony Giuliani, Danny Roe and Lee Jensen with one second each. Season best third place finishes included Dwayne Short twice and Igor Grandzuk, Paul Espino and Mark Odgers each once.

Like the Sport Modifieds, the Hobby Stock car count soared and caused the need for several B Mains during the season. There wasn't much drama in the championship race, thanks to the strong start of Michael Shearer. Even a bit of a slump down the stretch didn't derail him. Kristie Shearer was an early second, but reigning champion Kevin Joaquin began to put it together for a strong finish. By season's end, Joaquin had worked his way into second in points. M. Shearer's numbers included one win, a division leading four seconds and two thirds. Joaquin's absence from two races may have cost him a shot at the championship, and he still finished within 11 points of M. Shearer after winning the double point finale. Kevin had two seconds (in the final three races), one third and an additional two Top 5's. He also grabbed the biggest win in his career by holding off Bruce "Bubba" Nelson to win the John Fore Jr. Memorial race for the Hobby Stocks.

Speaking of big wins, Phillip Vaughn's first win came in the prestigious Ted Stofle Classic ahead of Dexter Long. Vaughn finished third in points with two seconds, a third and two additional Top 5 finishes. Robbie Loquaci was just four points behind Vaughn in the standings with one win, one second, two thirds and two additional Top 5's. Austin Van Hoff struggled at times with just one third and one fifth, but he still managed to rank fifth in the final standings.

Other highlights included Rookie Darren Miguel's win on Tommy Post Memorial night ahead of Robbie Loquaci. One of Bruce "Bubba" Nelson's three wins came ahead of Dexter Long on Legend's Night. Multi time champion Raul Rodriguez Sr. scored three feature wins, while other wins went to Watsonville champion Terry Campion, Ben Lewis II, (three time second place finisher) Dexter Long and rookie Garrett Corn. Other noteworthy finishes included one second place finish each for K. Shearer and Ben Lewis. Past champion Andrew Krumm had two third place finishes, while Ken Winland, John Hensley, Shannon Nelson and Mike Stockton each had one third.

There was absolutely no doubt that Chris Corder would be the Mini Stock champion, nor was there any doubt that the man is a true sportsman who has supported this division faithfully in recent seasons by putting other drivers in his cars. Chris racked up an impressive seven wins and one fourth to win the championship by a wide margin over rookie Paul Lauretti. Lauretti had one second, one third and four additional Top 5 finishes to hold off fellow rookie Destiny Carter for second in the standings. Carter was able to realize her dream of racing thanks to Corder putting her into one of his cars. She had three Top 5 finishes with her best finish coming with a fourth place finish in the finale.

Tony Peffer and Curtis Thornhill rounded out the Top 5 in the standings. Peffer had a season high second, a third and three additional Top 5's. Thornhill joined Watsonville champion D.J. Keldsen and Jason Lewis on the feature winner's list with one each. Other notable finishes included one second place finish each for Jeff Amos, Mike Germait, James Stockton, Brian Widdowson and the returning Jennifer Corder. Joy Alger and Lucy Falkenberg each had two third place finishes, while Bobby Jackson, Andy Boydstun and Dennis Copus each had one third place finish. Copus destroyed his car in a crash to end his season early.

Not only did Parker put the Sportsman division back on the schedule, he made them the headliners for double points on Legend's Night. Perhaps it's fitting that the man driving a car in tribute to legend Rod Poor won the championship. One of the loudest cheer leaders for this division, Kenny Birdsong had three wins, one second and three thirds to win this championship. Two time champion Mike Friesen, who is a big supporter of vintage racing, asserted himself into the championship battle by winning the Legend's Night race ahead of another past champion, Mark Odgers, who was wheeling the Vern Willhoite Tribute car. Friesen had two wins, a second and three thirds to rank a close second in the standings.

A broken tow vehicle on that crucial Legend's Night took Jeff Bristow out of action and forced him to settle for third in the standings. He still had one win and three thirds. Odgers did well when he raced, and his two wins and one second assured him of fourth in the final standings ahead of newcomer Shannon Fry. Other notable finishes included Eric Seely and Tim Prothro with one second place finish each. Prothro also had two thirds, but he missed races to make repairs. Word is that a few more cars not seen in a while may return to action in the coming season, including past champion Mike Henault.

2016 Merced Speedway Points
IMCA Modifieds
Randy Brown 478
Ramie Stone 446
Bruce Nelson 428
Bill Egleston 415
Ricky Thatcher 415
Jarod Fast 319
Mike Villanueva 278
Harley Turner 236
Ryan Larimer 220
Paul Stone 216

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Rick Diaz 569
Mike Drake 511
Gary Tucker 507
Tim Elias 481
Josh Hensley 457
Chase Thomas 422
Fred Ryland 420
Tanner Thomas 386
Steve Stone 361
Dwayne Short 358

Hobby Stocks
Michael Shearer 237
Kevin Joaquin 226
Phillip Vaughn 205
Robbie Loquaci 201
Austin Van Hoff 186
Dexter Long 185
Garrett Corn 184
Kristie Shearer 182
Kodie Dean 168
John Hensley 153

Mini Stocks
Chris Corder 205
Paul Lauretti 161
Destiny Carter 148
Tony Peffer 131
Curtis Thornhill 130
Lucy Falkenberg 115
Jennifer Corder 69
Joy Alger 66
James Stockton 59
Mike Germait 57

Valley Sportsman
Kenny Birdsong 183
Mike Friesen 167
Jeff Bristow 143
Mark Odgers 98
Shannon Fry 90
Tim Prothro 88
Jerry Cecil 60
Jeff Amos 59
Jesse James Burks 50
Eric Seely 49

IMCA Modified Top 5's
1 Paul Stone, Bill Egleston, Randy Brown, Bruce Nelson, Ricky Thatcher
2 Jeff Streeter, Paul Stone, Tim Balding, Randy Brown, Ramie Stone.
3 Bill Egleston, Randy Brown, Paul Stone, Streeter, Bruce Nelson.
4 Ethan Dotson, Bill Egleston, Bruce Nelson, Derek Nance, T.J. Etchison.
5 Ramie Stone, Ryan Porter, Austin Burke, Riley Simmons, Jeff Streeter.
6 Randy Brown, Paul Stone, Ramie Stone, Ryan Porter, Jeff Streeter.
7 Robby Sawyer, Randy Brown, Darrell Hughes II, Ryan Porter, Harley Turner.
8 Randy Brown, Ryan Porter, Mike Villanueva, Robert Marsh, Karl Rose.
9 Mike Villanueva , Randy Brown, Ryan Larimer, Josh Combs, Ramie Stone.
10 Randy Brown, Karl Rose, Nick DeCarlo, Bruce Nelson, Ricky Thatcher.
11 Randy Brown, Ryan Larimer, Bruce Nelson, Ramie Stone, Travis White.
12 Bill Egleston, D.J. Shannon, Randy Brown, Mike Villanueva, Jim Pettit II.
13 Randy Brown, Ramie Stone, Bill Egleston, Ricky Thatcher, Bruce Nelson.

IMCA Sport Modified Top 5's
1 Rick Diaz, Steve Stone, Josh Hensley, Gary Tucker, Tim Elias.
2 Steve Stone, Mike Drake, Gary Tucker, Chris Falkenberg, Paul Espino.
3 Rick Diaz, Fred Ryland, Igor Grandzuk, Steve Stone, Chris Falkenberg.
4 Nick Spainhoward, Matt Lewis, Mike Drake, Tim Elias, Gary Tucker.*
5 Rick Diaz, Anthony Giuliani, Gary Tucker, Tim Elias, Chris Falkenberg.
6 Fred Ryland, Gary Tucker, Nick Spainhoward, Patti Ryland, Steve Stone.
7 Levi Keifer, Fred Ryland, Gary Tucker, Rick Diaz, Steve Stone.
8 Fred Ryland, Danny Roe, Paul Espino, Rick Diaz, Chase Thomas.
9 Fred Ryland, Rick Diaz, Dwayne Short, Mark Odgers, Mike Drake.
10 Rick Diaz, Fred Ryland, Chase Thomas, Jordan Hagar, Patti Ryland.
11 Rick Diaz, Chase Thomas, Tim Elias, Fred Ryland, Mike Drake.
12 Chase Thomas, Rick Diaz, Mark Odgers, Gary Tucker, Fred Ryland.
13 Rick Diaz, Fred Ryland, Gary Tucker, Mike Drake, Chase Thomas.
14 Fred Ryland, Rick Diaz, Chase Thomas, Chuck Weir, Josh Hensley.
15 Gary Tucker, Rick Diaz, Dwayne Short, Chase Thomas, Andy Welch.
16 Clint Reichenbach, Lee Jensen, Mike Drake, Tim Elias, Jerry Bartlett.

Hobby Stock Top 5's
1 Michael Shearer, Kristie Shearer, Andrew Krumm, Ben Lewis II, George Silva.
2 Raul Rodriguez Sr., Michael Shearer, Robbie Loquaci, Kevin Joaquin, Garrett Corn.
3 Terry Campion, Dexter Long, Andrew Krumm, Garrett Corn, Kristie Shearer.
4 Phillip Vaughn, Dexter Long, Michael Shearer, Andrew Krumm, Matt Kile. *
5 Bruce Nelson, Phillip Vaughn, Ben Lewis II, Kodie Dean, Garrett Corn.
6 Raul Rodriguez Sr., Michael Shearer, Kevin Joaquin, Dexter Long, Robbie Loquaci.
7 Ben Lewis II, Raul Rodriguez Sr., Robbie Loquaci, Tommy Bostic, Ben Lewis.
8 Bruce Nelson, Ben Lewis, Michael Shearer, Kodie Dean, John Hensley.
9 Darren Miguel, Robbie Loquaci, Ken Winland, Kevin Joaquin, Gary Hildebrand.
10 Raul Rodriguez Sr., Michael Shearer, John Hensley, Kristie Shearer, Jerry Tubbs.
11 Garrett Corn, Michael Shearer, Phillip Vaughn, Kevin Joaquin, Donnie Shearer.
12 Bruce Nelson, Bruce Nelson, Phillip Vaughn, John Hensley, Austin Van Hoff.
13 Dexter Long, Kevin Joaquin, Garrett Corn., Kodie Dean, Robbie Loquaci.
14 Robbie Loquaci, Kevin Joaquin, Austin Van Hoff, Phillip Vaughn, Cody Parker.
15 Kevin Joaquin, Dexter Long, Shannon Nelson, Phillip Vaughn, Donnie Shearer.
16 Kevin Joaquin, Bruce Nelson, Mike Stockton, Nick Baldwin, Andrew Krumm.

Mini Stock Top 5's
1 Chris Corder, Jeff Amos, Robert Jackson, Paul Lauretti, Dennis Copus.
2 Chris Corder, Mike Germait, Dennis Copus, Paul Lauretti, Kevin Lockerby.
3 Chris Corder, Jason Lewis, Joy Alger, Tony Peffer, Curtis Thornhill.
4 Jason Lewis, James Stockton, Joy Alger, Lucy Falkenberg, Destiny Carter.
5 Chris Corder, Jennifer Corder, Andy Boydstun, Clinton Massey, Justin Moore.
6 Curtis Thornhill, Brian Widdowson, Paul Lauretti, Chris Corder, Destiny Carter.
7 Chris Corder, Tony Peffer, Jennifer Corder, Paul Lauretti, Lucy Falkenberg.
8 Chris Corder, D.J. Keldsen, Tony Peffer, Jennifer Corder, Paul Lauretti.
9 D.J. Keldsen, Chris Corder, Lucy Falkenberg, Tony Peffer, Curtis Thornhill.
10 Chris Corder, Paul Lauretti, Lucy Falkenberg, Destiny Carter, Tony Peffer.

Sportsman Podiums
1 Jeff Bristow, Kenny Birdsong, Tim Prothro.
2 Kenny Birdsong, Eric Seely, Mike Friesen.
3 Kenny Birdsong, Jeff Bristow, Mike Friesen.
4 Mark Odgers, Mike Friesen, Kenny Birdsong.
5 Mike Friesen, Tim Prothro, Kenny Birdsong.
6 Mike Friesen, Mark Odgers, Tim Prothro.
7 Kenny Birdsong, Jeff Bristow, Mike Friesen.
8 Mark Odgers, Jeff Bristow, Kenny Birdsong.