Terrell, Simpson, & DeCarlo Find Right Tools on NAPA Night Triumphs
A pleasant spring night welcomed fans and competitors for Petaluma Auto Parts NAPA Night last Saturday. Nineteen winged 360’s signed in for the Pit Stop USA Series with Geoff Ensign garnering fast time honors with a 12.592 effort. The three heat races found Jason Toft, defending track champion Herman Klein, and veteran Billy Aton claiming the 8-lappers. The 25 lap feature saw two different sets of track conditions with turn 1 & 2 smooth and sealed, while t3 & 4 were typical Petaluma. Andy Forsberg led the first lap before a brief caution for Eli Deshaies. During the ensuing yellow Forsberg pitted with muffler issues. A return to action found Toft leading the field. Lap 3 saw Terrell displace Toft and begin to stretch it out. After a lap 14 restart Klein anticipated the green and got the jump on Terrell for the top spot. A lap later Terrell boldly throttled by to once again gain the lead. Ensign battling with Aton and Brett Rollag moved the Van Lare #5v to 4th on lap 15. Holding fast was Toft who was having the race of his young career. On lap 20 Ensign finally maneuvered around Toft as Klein dueled with lap traffic. At the finish it was Terrell with his second feature win of the young season over Klein, Ensign, Toft, and Aton.
The Pit Stop USA Spec Sprints featured a 14 car field field tackle the 3/8th’s oval. Adam Christian set quick time with a lap of 14.499. Klint Simpson and Timmy DeCarlo captured the pair of heat races. The 25-lap feature saw San Jose’s Gary Nelson with the initial lead. From the 4th row Simpson found the cushion to his liking as he quickly move to third. Pacing Simpson’s rear was sophomore sensation Frankie Guerrini Jr. as he had the crown on their feet with several breathtaking passes. Lap 11 saw Simpson grab the lead in the potent Dave Johnson #32 and begin to stretch his lead with Guerrini in tow. Simpson held on for the win by 8/10’s of a second over Guerrini, Nelson, rookie Alex Coronado, and Christian.
The Larsen Racing Products IMCA Modifieds had a dozen cars for their season debut and saw defending champion Nick DeCarlo and journeyman Joel Myers cop the pair of preliminary heat races. Oreste Gonnella led the first six circuits as DeCarlo moved to third by the fourth circuit. A lap 7 restart found Gonnella and Michael Paul Jr. drag race side-by-side into the first turn. Paul Jr. wrestled the lead away by the middle of the backstretch. Lap 9 found DeCarlo get past Gonnello. Lap 12 saw DeCarlo dive off the very high cushion and nudge into Paul Jr. DeCarlo emerged with the point position but was continuously harassed by Paul Jr. A secondary battle heated up between Myers, Chris Siewke, and Norman Boeck. At the twin checkers it was Decarlo, Paul Jr. 2nd with Gonnello, Siewke, and Boeck rounding out the top five.
The Larsen Racing Products Dwarfs found Adam Johnson, and Dave Mosier winning the progressive heats for the second week in a row. The 20-lap finale looked to be a dominating performance by former track champion John Peters as he led at ease over Johnson and Mosier. Travis Dutra got by Johnson for 3rd on lap 7. Chad Matthias moved to 4th on lap 13 as Mosier reeled in Peters. Exiting turn two in lapped traffic Peters had to make a split decision. Mosier made the opposing move and it worked out for him as he took the lead on the white flag stanza. Picking up his third win of the season was Mosier over a supportive Peters, Dutra, Matthias, and Johnson.
The Jake’s Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks found Bob Davis winning his second heat race of the year. The 20-lap main event saw savvy Eden McCormick with an authoritative and hard fought win over rookie Darien Balestrini, Snazzy Duckworth, rookie Syd Hess, and Davis.
Petaluma Speedway returns to action this Saturday Night, April 25th featuring the Joe Hunt Wingless Sprints vs Pit Stop USA Spec Sprints, the Larsen Racing Products Modifieds, Lumberjack Restaurant Super Stocks, Jake’s Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks, and the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600’s. For more information please go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
