Dotson, Diaz, Dean, Corder Win Merced Speedway Features

Merced, CA...April 29...Ethan Dotson mounted an impressive charge to take the victory in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway.  Late Model veteran Derek Nance led five laps ahead of Darrell Hughes II before a yellow flag slowed the pace.  Hughes grabbed the lead on the restart, and Bill Egleston and reigning champion Randy Brown shuffled Nance out of the Top 3 on lap eight.  Brown took the lead from Hughes on a lap nine restart as Dotson made his first appearance in the Top 5.  Dotson took fourth from Nance on lap 12, and Dotson shot by Hughes for second on lap 17.  A lap 18 yellow flag provided Dotson his opportunity.  On the restart, Dotson charged by Brown to take the lead.  Dotson led the rest of the way to grab the victory.  Brown settled for second ahead of Hughes, Egleston, Chris Shannon, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Nance, Mike Villanueva, Bryan Clark and Joel Myers.  Nance, Hughes and D.J. Shannon won nine lap heat races.

Rick Diaz returned after a week off and won his second 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  Chuck Weir started up front and led early ahead of past champion Matt Sotomayor.  Diaz was in third and took second from Sotomayor on lap six.  Diaz raced past Weir for the lead on lap seven as Chris Falkenberg settled into third.  Fred Ryland led Falkenberg around Weir for second and third on lap nine.  Despite the 2015 State champion Ryland in close pursuit, Diaz ran a smooth race and earned the victory.  Falkenberg was a solid third ahead of Jeremy Hoff, Weir, Sotomayor, Tim Elias, Mark Odgers, Chase Thomas and Josh Hensley.  Falkenberg and C. Thomas were nine lap heat race winners.

Kodie Dean collected his second 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event victory and secured a starting spot in next week's Ted Stofle Classic.  Dean led the race from the start ahead of Donnie Shearer.  The lead duo ran close as Shannon Nelson was an early third.  Nelson fell out of the top 5 on lap 11 as Mike Stockton was now third.  Despite D. Shearer running close behind, Dean made no mistakes and posted a well earned victory.  D. Shearer, Robbie Loquaci and Stockton earned Ted Stofle Classic starts with their Top 4 finishes.  Michael Shearer finished fifth ahead of Austin Van Hoff, Garrett Corn, George Silva, Kristie Shearer and Nelson.  D. Shearer and Dean won nine lap heat races.

Reigning champion Chris Corder finally won his first 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event of the season.  Fellow heat race winner Lucy Falkenberg joined Corder on the front row of the Main Event, but the battle would be between C. Corder, Jennifer Corder and two time winner D.J. Keldsen.  As they raced down the backstretch midway through the feature, Keldsen and J. Corder got together and Keldsen went rolling.  The race was over for both of them.  C. Corder resumed command from there and went on to a much needed victory.  Falkenberg was a career best second ahead of newcomer Shawn DePriest, Meghan Myers, Destiny Carter, Keldsen, J. Corder, David Richards, Robert Frank and Tyler Jackson.

Tim Vaught won the first ever 12 lap Mini Late Model Main Event at Merced Speedway.  Vaught won the heat race and led every lap to win the Main Event.  Tim Crews ran second until losing the position to Riley Jeppesen on lap nine.  Crews finished third ahead of Ian Shearer.

Next week will be the annual Ted Stofle Classic for Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds and IMCA Modifieds.  This is a very special race that you won't want to miss.  For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.

Race Results
IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1-Derek Nance, Bruce Nelson, Bill Egleston.  Heat 2-Darrell Hughes II, Randy Brown, Ethan Dotson.  Heat 3-D.J. Shannon, Chris Shannon, Robby Sawyer.  Main Event-Dotson, Brown, Hughes, Egleston, C. Shannon, Nelson, Nance, Mike Villanueva, Bryan Clark, Joel Myers.

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat 1-Chris Falkenberg, Matt Sotomayor, Fred Ryland.  Heat 2-Chase Thomas, Jeremy Hoff, Josh Hensley.  Main Event-Rick Diaz, Ryland, Falkenberg, Hoff, Chuck Weir, Sotomayor, Tim Elias, Mark Odgers, Thomas, Hensley.

Hobby Stocks
Heat 1-Donnie Shearer, Kristie Shearer, Robbie Loquaci.  Heat 2-Kodie Dean, Austin Van Hoff, Shannon Nelson.  Main Event-Dean, D. Shearer, Loquaci, Mike Stockton, Michael Shearer, Van Hoff, Garret Corn, George Silva, K. Shearer, Nelson.

Mini Stocks
Heat 1-Chris Corder, D.J. Keldsen, Shawn DePriest.  Heat 2-Lucy Falkenberg, David Richards, Jennifer Corder.  Main Event-C. Corder, Falkenberg, DePriest, Meghan Myers, Destiny Carter, Keldsen, J. Corder, Richards, Robert Frank, Tyler Jackson,

Mini Late Models
Heat-Tim Vaught, Tim Crews, Riley Jeppesen.  Main Event-Vaught, Jeppesen, Crews, Ian Shearer.