ROSEVILLE, California -- All American Speedway celebrated its 50th Anniversary Saturday night with Fan Appreciation Night, which treated fans to some of the most unpredictable racing of the season as well as a big win by Scott Woessner, The Roseville driver has been writing history ever since he started racing in the early 90s.
Woessner won the double-points paying Modified main event, his third victory of the season in the Thunder Valley Casino Championship Cup Series at the quarter-mile paved oval.
“We qualified terrible, and changed one shock and it made all the difference,” Woessner said.
Woessner qualified ninth, but started fourth thanks for a 12 car invert.
Former Street Stock champion Richard Poppert Jr. of Sacramento led the opening six laps, before the first caution flag of the race. Mikey Lehman and Ryan Peter both from Rio Linda, tangled in the middle of turn four, sending the lead pack scattering to avoid the incident. Peter was done for the evening.
Poppert picked the outside groove on the restart and Woessner rocketed by on the inside to easily take the lead.
Over the next 20 laps, Woessner stretched his lead to a full straightaway. While the rest of the field struggled with loose race cars in the extremely hot conditions, Woessner maintained that his car was tight all night.
“We figured it was going to be this hot, but we ended up making the car a little too tight,” Woessner said.
“Its a guessing game because you don’t know how cool it will be during the main event.”
The yellow came out again on lap 27 when Rich Lindgren of Rio Linda pulled into the infield with a minor fire. Andy Field of Rocklin, who started fifth, was up to second by the caution. Last week’s big winner Rick Andersen of Citrus Heights, who started tenth, was in third place.
Woessner picked the bottom on the restart, placing lapped car Al Middlebrooks in front of Andersen.
Unfortunately for Woessner, Middlebrooks swung wide on the start, giving Andersen a clear shot at Woessner.
“We discussed the move for a long time and I didn’t see that coming,” Woessner said.
Woessner held off Andersen by five car lengths to the checkered flag, with Field holding on to third place.
Dan Jinkerson of Diamond Springs and John Mamula of Citrus Heights rounded out the top-five.
Robert Nowack of Sacramento picked up a surprising win in Mini Stock action, as all four of the perennial front runners were involved in incidents.
“I’m more than surprised, I’m dumbfounded,” Nowack said. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
James Trethewey of Grass Valley spun on lap 12, and collected fast-time qualified Jason Romero of Cameron Park on the back straightaway. Joe Dahl also suffered damage in the incident.
Chris Marks of Auburn worked forward from his tenth starting spot and had the lead by lap 12, but Jim Badeker of Citrus Heights was in tow ready to give Marks a challenge.
Badeker took the lead on lap 16, with Marks still running close behind.
Marks went to the inside of Badeker five laps later, and coming off turn four they made contact sending Badeker spinning.
Marks was placed to the rear of the field for his involvement in the incident.
That thrust Nowack and Ralph Caouette to the front of the field. Nowack held on for the victory, followed by Caouette, Trethewey, Marks, and Terry Shannon.
“My buddy Bobby Glick changed a little bit on the car and he’s the sole reason why I’m still racing,” Nowack said. “The car still needs work.”
Mel Wilson of Rio Linda won the Street Stock main event, after a close battle for the lead position.
Again the high invert played a major role, as Dick Meadows broke free from the pack to lead much of the race, with Wilson and Chris Lambert of Loomis following. The points leaders were forced to work their way through a large pack of cars that battled for fourth.
Casey Cavender and Scot Alves spun simultaneously on the front stretch on lap 20, sparking a four car accident that brought out the red flag briefly. Phil Wilkins and points leader Doug Wade also made heavy contact in turn four at the same time.
On the restart, Wilson fought hard for the inside of Meadows and finally took the lead on lap 24 off turn two.
Lambert began his furious charge inside, and to the white flag Lambert and Wilson ran side-by-side. To the line, Wilson held a slight advantage to take the win.
Roy Smith of Roseville won the Bomber main event in commanding fashion by leading the final 21 laps.
Cody Rickard led the first 11 laps before being passed by Rick Anable racing back to a yellow on lap 12.
Denise Reinhart and Ken Givens of Antelope collided in turn one to bring out the caution. Under yellow, Rickard’s car stalled with a minor engine fire and became briefly tangled with Smith’s car. After being unhooked, Smith rejoined his position in line.
Smith passed Anable on the restart to take the victory. The top five were: Smith, Lucas Kaper of Lincoln, Jim McCully of Roseville, Mickey Owens of North Highlands, and Jim McGinnis Jr. of Roseville.
For full results, visit www.allamericanspeedway.com .
