Terrell Wins Third Straight, Shayna Sylvia Raises Roof

PETALUMA, CA – April 23
By Rick Faeth
Heavy Friday rains couldn’t dampen the hopes of fans and racers for the first of two Petaluma Auto Parts NAPA Night’s at Petaluma Speedway Saturday Night. Geoff Ensign wheeling the potent Worden #63 sprinter captured fast time honors with a 13.123 circuit. Klint Simpson & rookie of the year contender Shane Myhre nabbed the 8-lap heats. The 25-lap feature saw a fast, smooth, and hooked up track greet Jake Haulot the early leader. Not to be outdone was Kenny Drew who for the second week in a row impressed. On the move were Ensign and Bradley Terrell from their 6th and 10th starting positions. Riley Matson bobbled in between turns three and four collecting Simpson and Ensign. Returning to action Drew battled in close quarters with Haulot as Terrell entered the top three mid-race. In lap traffic, Drew made slight contact with another car which sadly ended his night against the turn four wall. Terrell assumed the lead and opened up space. The race to the finish between Dave Lindt Jr and rookie Michael Kofoid was worth the price of admission. At the Scott Erwin twin checkers it was a dialed in Terrell with his third consecutive feature win of the young season over Haulot in the Van Lare ‪#‎5v‬, Kofoid in his Petaluma Speedway debut smartly put his mount on the podium. Myhre was fourth and Lindt fifth.

The Pit Stop USA Spec Sprints saw Cody Fendley set quick time with a lap of 15.384. Terry Schank Jr. and Shayna Sylvia donned the pair of heat races. The 25-lap feature saw the return of Matthew Haulot to the cockpit of the family owned #11. After three years away from racing it was quite a surprise to see Haulot lead the first half of the event. With Schank and Joe Stornetta battling mechanical gremlins and not making the call the event was ripe for the picking. Shayna Sylvia displaced Haulot on lap 15 with Fendley hot on her heels. A last lap grasp saw Fendley come close but still come up a car length short. Sylvia had the fans in frenzy after notching her second main event win in as many seasons. Haulot was third over Jason McIntosh, and steady Brett Barney.

The General Hydroponics Dwarf Car Class had a great field of 18 buzz bombs and found visiting David Teves, former track champion John Peters, and defending track champion Dave Mosier all winning heat races. The 20-lap finale saw Teves get by Scooter Gomes and pace Mosier the whole second half. Those three were the podium runners over Carroll Mendenhall and Peters.

The McLea’s Tire & Automotive IMCA Modifieds saw a short field of cars with veteran Oreste Gonnella nabbing both the heat and main event. Michael Paul Jr. looked to have the race well in hand with a huge lead that was erased with a four laps to go caution. A slight bobble by Paul was all the Gonnella needed as he zoomed past with a deft low side pass exiting turn four. Nick Viscusi had his best ever finish with a third. Mitch Machado and Chris Compton rounded out the top five.

The rapidly expanding Jake’s Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks class found Snazzy Duckworth and rookie sensation William Fatu bank the pair of preliminary heats. Veteran Eden McCormick stormed to the lead on lap 6 and never looked back. For the second race in a row it was 13 year old Fatu finishing in the runner up position. Second generation racer Austin Ohlinger, Tyler Naron, and Simone Chrisman were the top five.

Petaluma Speedway returns to action this Saturday Night, April 30th featuring both of the Pit Stop USA Sprint Car Classes, the McLea’s Tire & Automotive IMCA Modifieds, Lumberjack Restaurant Super Stocks, and Jake’s Performance Hobbies Mini Stock. For more information please go to www.petaluma-speedway.com