Ensign, Dodenhoff, Machado Victorious on Warm PS Night
PETALUMA, CA – June 13
An unseasonably warm evening welcomed fans to Petaluma Speedway Saturday Night. 21 winged 360’s timed in and saw Cotati’s young Jake Haulot fastest with a 12.481. The three heat format saw visiting Matt Peterson, Geoff Ensign, and Zack Lynskey netting the 8-lappers. The 25-lap feature lineup saw Lynskey and Jason Toft pacing the field. At the conclusion of the first lap Peterson looped his mount and collected five other cars. The complete restart saw Toft gain the early advantage and lead though the first six circuits. A radically bent upward wing on Bradley Terrell’s mount ended his night by lap 8. Returning to action found Toft continue to lead over Lynskey, Herman Klein, and Andy Forsberg who was also battling a disabled front wing. By mid-race Ensign who suffered damage in the first lap incident started to pick off spots. The 15th lap saw Klein & Forsberg get by Lynskey after a bobble. Ensign now challenged Lynskey for fourth. Toft’s magnificent run came to an end when he met the turn two wall on the 18th lap. A lap later it was Forsberg’s turn as he suffered a mechanical failure and clobbered the fence. This set the stage for the stretch run between Klein who led and Ensign who pursued. With 23 down the last caution flew erasing a 15-car length lead of Klein’s. Lap 24 saw Klein drift high slightly above the cushion in turn four allowing Ensign to zoom past to capture his 2nd sprint car win of the season at Petaluma Speedway. A disappointed Klein was second, over Lynskey, Haulot, and Trevor Schmid.
A fine field of 20 BCRA Midgets timed in with Scott Pierovich’s 14.516 effort besting all comers. Sean Dodenhoff, Shannon McQueen, and Taylor Simas copped the preliminary heats. The 30-lap feature started off rough with Simas drifting out of turn two and collecting McQueen, overturning and eliminating both mounts. A complete restart saw Sean Dodenhoff rocket away from the field and start the lapping process by the seventh stanza. 28 caution free laps ensued with an epic see-saw battle between Nick Chivello and Terry Nichols for third and fourth. A Brian Gard spin was the only stoppage as Dodenhoff won impressively over second generation Michael Faccinto, Chivello, Nichols, and Gard.
Fifteen Lumberjack’s Restaurant Super Stocks signed in with veteran’s Gary Adams and Mike Learn finding success in the 8-lap heats. At the drop of the Scott Erwin green flag it was Mitch Machado at the point. Learn jumped from fifth to second by the third lap. The first third of the race saw and Matt While, Trevor Brady, and Danny Narron dice. A trio of single car spins drew cautions, however the action up front saw Learn stalk Machado on the low side. Learn over-cooked it going into turn one on the 22nd trip and spun. Chasing Machado to the checkers was impressive rookie Narron over Brady, Woody Woodward, and Learn.
The Jake’s Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks class saw Eden McCormack pick up the heat race win. The 20-lap main event was hotly contested between Bullet Bob Davis, McCormack and Darien Balestrini. Picking up the win for the second week in a row was the sophomore sensation Balestrini. Second was Davis over McCormack, Snazzy Duckworth, and rookie Sid Hess.
Petaluma Speedway returns to action Saturday Night, June 20thth featuring the Civil War Sprint Car Series, Lumberjack Restaurant Super Stocks, and Santa Rosa Auto Body 600’s. For more information please go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
