Stone, Thomas, Loquaci Win Merced Speedway Main Events

Merced, CA...April 28...Paul Stone scored the victory in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. The three-time Merced Speedway IMCA Modified champion took the lead from two-time reigning champion Randy Brown on lap six and led the rest of the way. Stone had a straightaway advantage at the checkered flag. Brian Pearce made a last lap pass on Brown to take second. Jeff Streeter finished fourth, followed by Shane DeVolder, four-time champion Ramie Stone, Harley Turner, Derek Nance, Troy Stone and Buddy Kniss. Eight lap heat race wins went to Paul Stone, Pearce and Brown.

Chase Thomas won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. He gained the lead on lap two as Jack Aguiar followed him into second. Thomas would hold off Aguiar through three yellow flags for the well earned victory. Chase's younger brother Tanner Thomas finished third ahead of Kelly Wilkinson, Jeremy Hoff, Bruce Nelson, Danny Roe, Tim Elias, Chris Falkenberg and Mark Squadrito. Nelson, Roe and Tanner Thomas each won eight lap heat races.

Robbie Loquaci withstood a late challenge from reigning champion Kodie Dean to win the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. It seems like every time Loquaci has been close to a win in the last year or so, he's had bad luck. On this occasion, he gained the lead on lap two and led the rest of the way. However, Dean settled into second on lap 15 and began putting the pressure on Loquaci for the lead. Loquaci was up to the task as he stayed smooth down the stretch for the win. Dean was a strong second ahead of Shannon Nelson, Austin Van Hoff, Michael Shearer, Robert Gallaher, James Stockton, Mike Germait, Joe Gallaher and Craig Tatum. Dean, Van Hoff and Caleb Shelton each won eight lap heat races.

Robert Jackson was the happy winner of the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Jackson gained the lead from Allen Neal on lap three with Bryant Desaire following into second. Jackson led Desaire the rest of the way for the victory. Neal settled for third, followed by Ray Jackson, Jerry Tubbs, Tyler Jackson, Scott Roehrenbaeck, Devin Belton, Jennifer Rogers and Jason Belton Jr. There were four eight lap heat races with wins going to Neal, Jennifer Corder, Lee Ragsdale and Robert Jackson.

Next week is the annual Ted Stofle Classic, featuring IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, California Hardtops and California Sharp Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.



Ted Stofle Night On Tap At Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...There are several events sprinkled throughout the 2018 schedule at Merced Speedway that are special to this race track and its heritage. This Saturday night is such an event. The speedway pays tribute to perhaps the greatest California Stock Car racer of the 1970s and certainly one of the best of all time, Ted Stofle. Divisions competing this week will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, California Sharp Mini Late Models and California Hardtops.

When Merced Speedway finally begins inducting people into the track's Hall Of Fame, it's very likely that one of the first inductees will be Ted Stofle. Ted racked up six consecutive Stock Car championships and won over 100 Main Events during that run. While he was winning those championships at his home track, he was also winning championships at Watsonville, Madera and in the NASCAR State Of California race. In the fall of 1980, Ted died in a tragic hunting accident.

The race was originally an 89 lap event for the Stock Car division, and it was held from 1981 until 1992. It was 89 laps in honor of Ted's car number. That race car is still being maintained and will be at Merced as the pace car this Saturday night. The race might have been over, but Race Director Doug Williams, who competed with Ted back in those days, spoke with the family and got their blessing to bring back the special event. In recent seasons, The track has run 89 total Main Event laps between the IMCA Modified, IMCA Sport Modified and Hobby Stock classes. Format hadn't been announced as of this writing, but something special is in the works.

Certainly the driver to keep an eye on this week will be three time IMCA Modified champion Paul Stone. Last week, Paul put on a driving clinic in winning the Main Event by a straightaway ahead of third-ranked point competitor Brian Pearce. Another of the Stone family, cousin Ramie Stone, didn't look too bad in finishing sixth last week. Ramie has won four IMCA Modified championships at Merced and will be a force to be reckoned with if his car Is dialed in.

Getting a win on any given night is the goal for the racers, but winning a race as special as this one Is even more important. Two-time reigning champion Randy Brown finished third last week, and he's hoping to improve upon that this week. Others with their eyes on the prize include rookie Shane DeVolder, Jeff Streeter, Ryan Porter and Darrell Hughes II.

The season is just getting started, but the Thomas brothers have both left a mark on things in the IMCA Sport Modifieds. It was Tanner Thomas grabbing the win in the season opener, but Chase Thomas won last time out. Tanner shared the podium with him in third. However, both brothers have had problems that have put them out of the Top 5 in the standings after three events. The consistent Tim Elias has a pair of Top 5 finishes to lead Danny Roe by one point and Chris Falkenberg by 5. Falkenberg also has two Top 5s, and these three competitors are hoping to get the win in one of the biggest races of the season. Others to watch for include Jeremy Hoff, Bruce Nelson, Kelly Wilkinson and Chuck Weir

Shannon Nelsen is enjoying a great start in the Hobby Stock division. Nelson now has two seconds and a third, giving her a ten point lead over reigning champion Kodie Dean. Dean has one win so far, but Nelson is looking to return to the Winner's Circle for the first time in two seasons. Likewise, third ranked Kristie Shearer hasn't won for a couple of seasons, but she's fully capable of changing that this week. Robbie Loquaci had no bad luck to speak of for a change, and he showed what happens when things hold together as he looked impressive In winning the most recent event. Other drivers to watch for this week include Mike Germait, John Hensley, James Stockton, 2016 champion Michael Shearer and hard charger Austin Van Hoff.

The track continues to offer up California Sharp Mini Late Model racing for some of the young competitors looking to transition up from Outlaw Kart racing. The season opener for the class was won by Tim Crews. Crews competed last season, but this was his first win. It came ahead of two new competitors to the division, Carson Guthrie and Jesse Burks. Burks also won the heat race ahead of second year division competitor Riley Jeppesen. Young Ian Shearer was also in the field In the opener, and word is there could be another new car or two this week.

Promoter Ed Parker actively reached out to the California Hardtop group to get them involved In a night of racing. The result is their scheduled appearance this Saturday night. The group enjoys a very active schedule on both dirt and pavement. Last week, Ron Ruiz was flying around Stockton 99 Speedway in winning impressively ahead of Jason Armstrong. A week earlier, Dave Reed was getting his first win in the group in a field of a dozen competitors at Placerville.

The drivers compete in old Chevy and Ford Coupes and Sedans, and these cars are what the drivers were running at Merced back in the 1950s and 1960s. Among the other drivers to watch for this week will be "The Rocket Man" Ken Clifford, Joe Shenefield, Roger MacShain, recent Antioch winner Ken Retzloff, Dave Mackey, Dennis Armstrong and Jason Clifford.

Shannon Pump Company is sponsoring the Ted Stofle Classic this week, and this is simply one of those dates on which you will want to be at Merced Speedway. It's a great lineup from the top to the bottom, and it's all about honoring one of the greatest drivers to ever compete at the speedway. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.