Stone, Ryland, Corder Share Merced Speedway Winner's Circle


Merced, CA...May 20...Paul Stone won his second straight 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway.  The three time Merced Speedway track champion made a charge from the fifth row to get the lead during the final ten laps.  Stone was joined deep in the pack at the start by point leader Randy Brown as fourth generation racer Ryan Porter held command early on.  A lap 16 caution flag changed the complexion of the race.  Stone made his move when green flag racing resumed and brought it home to a well earned victory.  Brown also made a move past Porter for second.  Porter settled for third as Darrell Hughes II, Bill Egleston, Derek Nance, Mike Vallanueva, Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Joel Myers and Jarod Fast rounded out the Top 10.  Nance, Myers and Stone were eight lap heat race winners.


Fred Ryland finally recorded his first 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event win of the season.  The current point leader, Ryland raced from the fifth row with reigning champion Rick Diaz joining him on the move to the front.  It was a little over 20 years ago when Mark Odgers and Darren Thomas were battling for track championships.  Odgers was racing Darren's son Tanner Thomas at the start of the race in a good battle up front.  Ryland and Diaz steadily worked their way to the front before both got past Thomas and Odgers.  Ryland held off Diaz for a hard fought victory.  T. Thomas beat Odgers back to the line for a career best third place finish.  Anthony Giuliani was a solid fifth ahead of Paul Espino, Tim Elias, Jarred Tickel, Patti Ryland and Jack Aguiar.  T. Thomas, Ryland and Diaz won eight lap heat races.


Chris Corder won the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  The current point leader, C. Corder has seemingly hit his stride after a bumpy start.  Corder and Lucy Falkenberg were once again six lap heat race winners, and Falkenberg raced into the lead at Doug Laidlaw's green flag.  A lap two yellow flag bunched the field, and C. Corder raced past Falkenberg on the outside to take the lead.  Jennifer Corder took second from Falkenberg on lap six.  A lap nine restart provided L. Falkenberg her opportunity to race past J. Corder for second as last starter Kyle Reeder also got by for third.  Reeder made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the 13th lap to take second from Falkenberg, but he had problems down the back stretch a lap later, allowing Falkenberg and J. Corder back into second and third.  C. Corder had a half straightaway advantage in scoring his fourth victory.  Falkenberg was a career best second once again as J. Corder, Reeder, Shawn DePriest, Jeremy Perry, Destiny Carter, Tyler Jackson, Jason Womack and 2015 champion Darren Miguel completed the Top 10.


Tim Vaught returned to the winner's circle with his 15 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model feature victory.  Vaught also won the six lap heat race for a clean sweep.  Tim Crews was a solid second ahead of Riley Jeppesen and Ian Shearer.


Chris Birdsong won both the 12 Main Event and six lap heat race for the Valley Sportsman division.  Jeff Bristow was second in both races.


After the Memorial Day Weekend break, racing resumes during the Merced County Fair on June 7th.  The Wednesday race will feature IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.  For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.


Race Results

A Modifieds

Heat 1-Derek Nance, Mike Villanueva, Harley Turner.  Heat 2-Paul Stone, Ryan Porter, Darrell Hughes II.  Heat 3-Joel Myers, Randy Brown, Troy Stone.  Main Event-Paul Stone, Randy Brown, Ryan Porter, Darrell Hughes II, Bill Egleston, Derek Nance, Mike Villanueva, Bruce Nelson, Joel Myers, Jarod Fast, Robert Marsh, Troy Stone, Buddy Thatcher, Justin Villaneuva, Harley Turner, Ricky Thatcher (DNS), Will Fryckman (DNS), Ramie Stone (DNS), Steve Streeter (DNS).


B Modifieds

Heat 1-Tanner Thomas, Patti Ryland, Chase Thomas.  Heat 2-Fred Ryland, Josh Hensley, Chuck Weir.  Heat 3-Rick Diaz, Mark Odgers, Anthony Giuliani.  Main Event-Fred Ryland, Rick Diaz, Tanner Thomas, Mark Odgers, Anthony Giuliani, Paul Espino, Tim Elias, Jarred Tickel, Patti Ryland, Jack Aguiar, Josh Hensley, Chase Thomas, Chuck Weir, Mark Condell, Cody Parker, Jason Pugh, Dale Grissom, Dave Smart (DNS), Tony Hornyack (DNS).


Mini Stock

Heat 1-Chris Corder, Shawn DePriest, Tyler Jackson.  Heat 2-Lucy Falkenberg, Jennifer Corder, Jason Womack.  Main Event-Chris Corder, Lucy Falkenberg, Jennifer Corder, Kyle Reeder, Shawn DePriest, Jeremy Perry, Destiny Carter, Tyler Jackson, Jason Womack, Darren Miguel.


Mini Late Models

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


Valley Sportsman

Heat-Chris Birdsong, Jeff Bristow.  Main Event-Chris Birdsong, Jeff Bristow.