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Saturday Night Racer >> SATURDAY NIGHT RACER >> Duinkerken, Thomas and Corder Collect Merced Feature Wins
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Message started by C.W. on 04/04/18 at 11:43am

Title: Duinkerken, Thomas and Corder Collect Merced Feature Wins
Post by C.W. on 04/04/18 at 11:43am

Duinkerken, Thomas and Corder Collect Merced Feature Wins

Merced, CA ..March 31...After the unrelenting rains of the previous week, racing season finally got underway at Merced Speedway on Quality Scaffolding night at the races. This was also an opportunity for the track to celebrate Easter Weekend with the young fans. Children took to the infield during intermission to collect Easter eggs, and the track also had a bike giveaway. When it came down to racing, feature wins went to Grant Duinkerken in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, young Tanner Thomas in the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Chris Corder in the Mini Stocks, Chris Birdsong in the Valley Sportsman division and Tim Crews in the California Sharp Mini Late Models.

The IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars are a growing new class running a more economical 305 cubic inch injected motor. The battle in the their 25 lap Main Event was between Grant Duinkerken and Albert Pombo. Pombo is the grandson of Super Modified legend Al Pombo, and he gave it a valiant effort in search of the victory. However, Duinkerken was just a little quicker in holding off Pombo for the win. Brooklyn Holland, Monty Ferreira and George Tristao rounded out the Top 5 in the 17 car field. The night started off with Ferreira earning fast time with a 12.875 lap around the quarter-mile clay oval. Holland's 12.111 was good enough for second quick. Marcus Thomas won his eight lap heat race ahead of Cole Danell, Jared Faria held off Duinkerken to win the second heat and Ferreira outran Pombo to collect the victory in the third heat race.

Tanner Thomas won his first career IMCA Sport Modified 20 lap Main Event, but it didn't come easy. Thomas sprinted out into the lead at the start of the race ahead of Anthony Giuliani. After missing much of last season with a health issue, Danny Roe returned with a vengeance and settled into second. The pressure was on Thomas, but he kept his car glued to the bottom groove and would not budge. When the checkered flag waved, Thomas was the happy winner ahead of Roe. Tim Elias settled for third ahead of T.J. Etchison III, Chris Falkenberg, Jeremy Hoff, Chuck Weir, Preston Martin, Bubba Nelson and Mark Squadrito. A strong field of 24 competitors required four eight lap heat races, and Giuliani won the first heat ahead of Martin. Etchison outran Thomas to win the second heat, while young Cody Parker outran Paul Espino to win the third heat. Roe beat Hoff to win the final heat race. A 15 lap B Main was needed, and Nelson earned his Main Event start by outrunning Joe Salvi and Courtney Burks to win that race.

Destiny Carter nearly collected her first career Mini Stock Main Event victory. The third year competitor got her start thanks to Corder Racing, and it ended up being teammate Chris Corder stealing the win from her by the time the checkered flag waved. An impressive field at 17 cars competed, Bryant Desaire led the way early on with Carter in hot pursuit. Carter gained the lead by lap seven, and Desire's race ended in a crash. By then, Chris Corder had made his way up to second from 13th starting, and he wasted little time in taking the lead from Carter. Corder, who is the reigning champion, managed to hold off Carter for the win as Lucy Falkenberg, Robert Jackson, Lee Ragsdale, Jennifer Corder, Shawn DePriest, Jennifer Rodgers, Tyler Jackson and Joe Terry rounded out the Top 10. Falkenberg won her six lap heat race ahead of DePriest, while Troy Tatum outran Jackson for the victory in the second heat.

Chris Birdsong was a double winner in the Sportsman division. Birdsong won the eight lap heat race ahead of Gary Hildebrand and then outran Sportsman legend Jerry Cecil to win the 15 lap Main Event. Hildebrand settled for third. Rick Elliott was fourth, and Chris Corder suffered overheating problems to settle for fifth in his Sportsman debut.

The fans were treated to some close racing in the Mini Late Model division as the drivers battled fiercely for the lead for much of the race. Riley Jeppesen appeared to be in line for the victory, but it was Tim Crews making it to the stripe for the win as Jeppesen faded. Carson Guthrie settled for second ahead of Jesse Burks, Jeppesen and Ian Shearer. Burks won the heat race ahead of Jeppesen.

Next week features a great lineup on the Tim Ragsdale prepared quarter-mile clay oval. IMCA Modifieds are back, joined by the Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets, Hobby Stocks and Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.