Lynskey, DeCarlo, Studebaker, Wanger Find Victory on Championship Night
PETALUMA, CA – Sept 19
By Rick Faeth
An unseasonable heat wave led to shirt sleeve weather on Novato Chevrolet Championship Night at Petaluma Speedway Saturday. The “old school, hooked up” track surface saw a field of 17 Pit Stop USA Winged 360’s time in with Auburn’s Andy Forsberg establishing the fastest lap with a swift 12.592 effort. Petaluma’s Jason Toft and Sebastopol’s Dave Lindt Jr. captured the pair of 8-lap heat races. The 25-lap feature saw young Jake Haulot storm to the point from his pole position starting spot and pace the first three circuits. Lap three, Lindt and defending track champion Herman Klein collided on the exit of turn two with Klein softly overturning. On the restart the running order was Haulot, Bradley Terrell, Nick Ringo Jr, with Zack Lynskey on the move from his tenth starting spot. Mechanical issues ended Terrell’s night on lap 6 which moved Toft and Billy Butler into the top five. Lap 14 saw Haulot still in command deftly handling lapped traffic with Ringo keeping pace. Mid-race eyes shifted to Forsberg who moved into the top five after restarting last on lap one due to a nose wing swap. Lap 20 saw Haulot bang off a rut and spin towards the infield drawing a caution. Inheriting the lead Lynskey hit his marks expertly the final five stanzas to notch his second career Petaluma Speedway winged 360 win. Ringo was second, Haulot third, with Forsberg, and Toft rounding out the top five.
The Larsen Racing Products IMCA Modifieds saw a dozen cars sign in with top point’s drivers Nick DeCarlo and Oreste Gonnella both earning heat race victories. The 25-lap feature saw the continuation of an amazing dream season for DeCarlo as he garnered his 9th win of the season in just over 11 minutes. Still in contention for the vaunted IMCA Championship and finishing second was Gonnella. Continuing to impress Nick Viscusi was third, over veteran Freddie Plourde, and Danny Dozier.
The Lumberjack Restaurant Super Stocks saw Kenny Drew and point leader Steve Studebaker besting the pair of 8-lap preliminary heats. The 25-lap finale was all Studebaker as he displayed his veteran knowledge in guiding his familiar #46 in to victory circle to not only win the feature but capture his first championship in five seasons. Rookie of the Year and new dad Danny Naron was second. Trevor Brady, Michael Drew, and Woody Woodward rounded out the top five.
The Larsen Racing Products Dwarf Car event saw a fine field of 14 buzz bombs sign in. Heat races were nabbed by Danny Wagner and defending track champion Dave Mosier. An epic 20-lap feature saw both Mosier and Wagner battling until the last two laps when Wagner checked up smartly to avoid contact. Exiting turn four the final time it was Mosier with a car length lead, however Wagner found an extra amount of bite in the drag race to the checkered passing Mosier for the win by a scant 0.036” of a second. Mosier lost the battle but won the war earning his second straight championship. Travis Dutra was on the podium third. Chad “Fireball” Matthias was fourth with Bubba Johnson fifth.
The Jake’s Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks saw Bullet Bob Davis prevail in the heat and main event as Eden McCormick bounced off of Zack Albers mid race. McCormick was able to nurse home is car and capture the track championship. Albers recovered nicely to finish second over Snazzy Duckworth, Tom Curley, and Sid Hess.
Petaluma Speedway will return to action this Saturday Night, Sept 26th featuring the Civil War Sprint Car Series, the Larsen Racing Products IMCA Modifieds, and the Santa Rosa Auto Parts 600's. For more information please go to http://www.petaluma-speedway.com.
