Joaquin, Caracillo, Corder Win Merced Speedway Main Events

Merced, CA...May 13...Kevin Joaquin held off the challenges of James Stockton to win the 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway.  Joaquin is the 2015 champion and 2016 point runnerup, but he's been off to a rough start this year.  Joaquin raced into the lead at the start ahead of Kristie Shearer.  Two time champion Bruce "Bubba" Nelson took second from K. Shearer on lap eight, but he made a pit stop during a lap 12 caution period.  Joaquin led James Stockton and two time winners Kodie Dean and Garrett Corn on the restart.  During the final laps, you could throw a blanket over the lead four cars as B. Nelson found his way back up to fifth.  Corn took third from Dean on lap 24.  However, Joaquin held off the advances of J. Stockton for an impressive victory.  Corn finished a strong third ahead of Dean, B. Nelson, Thomas McAbee, Dexter Long, Josh Hensley, Austin Van Hoff and Robert Jackson.  

Charlie Caracillo scored a flag to flag victory in the 25 lap BCRA Midget Lites Main Event.  A multi time San Jose Speedway Sprint Car champion, Caracillo raced into the early Main Event lead ahead of Kayla Green.  Reigning champion Craig Dillard grabbed third on lap nine and passed Green for second a lap later.  A lap 12 yellow flag bunched the field.  However, Caracillo continued to set a rapid pace up front and would take the checkered flag ahead of Dillard.  Dakota Albright settled into third on lap 20 and finished there ahead of Jimmy Riddell, Jeff Dyer, Aiden Lange, Danika Jo Parer, Green, Tom Downing and Bobby Michnowicz.  Dyer and Albright were eight lap heat race winners.

Reigning Mini Stock champion Chris Corder won his second straight 12 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  Chris and his sister Jennifer Corder were the two six lap heat race winners.  Unfortunately for Jennifer, her Main Event ended early.  C. Corder took command of the race and sped to the victory.  Shawn DePriest was a career best second ahead of Tyler Jackson.  Destiny Carter had her best finish of the year in fourth as newcomer Helena Guzman, J. Corder and Jeremy Perry rounded out the finishing order.

Tom Paterson won the 20 lap USAC Midget2 Main Event.  The dirt series point leader has had two seconds so far, but he impressed with his first win of the season.  Paterson raced into the lead at the start ahead of Annie Breidinger and Adam Lemke.  Lemke slipped past Breidinger for second on lap four with Antonia Boscacci taking third from Breidinger on lap ten.  Even a lap 18 yellow flag could not stop Paterson from a well earned victory.  Lemke settled for second ahead of Boscacci, Breidinger, Blake Brannon and Jesse Love IV.

Riley Jeppesen won the California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event.  It capped a double win evening for the young second generation racer as he also won the six lap heat race.  Tim Crews set the pace at the start of the Main Event ahead of Tim Vaught.  A lap six caution flag flew for Ian Shearer.  Jeppesen charged into the lead on the restart with Vaught still holding onto second.  Despite the pressure of two time winner Vaught behind him, Jeppesen kept his cool and earned his first victory.  Crews settled for third as Shearer rounded out the finishing order.

Race Results
Hobby Stocks
Heat 1-Bruce Nelson, Robbie Loquaci, Shannon Nelson.  Heat 2-Austin Van Hoff, James Stockton, Kristie Shearer.  Heat 3-Garrett Corn, Mike Stockton, Kevin Joaquin.  Main Event-Kevin Joaquin, James Stockton, Garrett Corn, Kodie Dean, Bruce Nelson, Thomas McAbee, Dexter Long, Josh Hensley, Austin Van Hoff, Robert Jackson.

BCRA Midget Lites
Heat 1-Jeff Dyer, Charlie Caracillo, Jimmy Riddell.  Heat 2-Dakota Albright, Aiden Lange, Craig Dillard.  Main Event-Charlie Caracillo, Craig Dillard, Dakota Albright, Jimmy Riddell, Jeff Dyer, Aiden Lange, Danika Jo Parer, Kayla Green, Tom Downing, Bobby Michnowicz.

Mini Stocks
Heat 1-Jennifer Corder, Shawn DePriest, Destiny Carter.  Heat 2-Chris Corder, Tyler Jackson, Jeremy Perry.  Main Event-Chris Corder, Shawn DePriest, Tyler Jackson, Destiny Carter, Helena Guzman, Jennifer Corder, Jeremy Perry, Pisha Harvey (DNS).

USAC Midget2
Heat-Adam Lemke, Tom Patterson, Antonia Boscacci.  Main Event-Tom Paterson, Adam Lemke, Antonia Boscacci, Annie Breidinger, Blake Brannon, Jesse Love IV.

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