TUCSON, Arizona -- With ideal Southern Arizona weather and Budweiser racing fans enjoying the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. promotion the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series night of fast cars and big crashes was a big hit.
Ron Norman had a fast car as he set fast time during qualifying and powered his way to his second feature win. Mike Egurola led from the pole position after inheriting the spot from Curtis Lansing who was forced to the pits with mechanical issues. Egurola held the point for nine laps until Norman stormed from his sixth starting spot to take the lead on lap 10 of the 30 lap main event. Egurola edged out Norman to lead lap 11, but Norman was able to pull ahead as the caution flew for rookie, Don Ritenour, who was making his first Super Late Model race. On the restart, Matt Levin was able to catch Egurola and move into second place. Levin pressured Norman for the lead but Norman was able to stave off Levin and capture his second win of the season. Levin ended up in second with Chad Bowden in third. Egurola settled for fourth and Bobby Collister rounded out the top five.
NASCAR Late Model action was all door handle to door handle as Mike Shipyor captured his second win. Pole Setter, Scott Strachan and Shipyor swapped the lead for the first half of the 25 lap main event. Shipyor managed to secure the lead while Brad Moyer worked his way through the field from his sixth starting spot to pass Strachan for second on lap 15. Moyer, then, went for the lead as he battled Shipyor till the checker flew. Shipyor collected his second win with Moyer in second; Scott Strachan finished third, David Rooyakkers in fourth and Matt Williams in fifth.
NASCAR Mini Stocks saw a big crash and an emotional win. Cris Pastika took his first win of the season after recovering from injuries in a highway accident. Pastika was nearly speechless after pulling into Budweiser Victory Lane but he was able to thank everyone who helped him get his win. Pastika had his hands full throughout the race as Becky Harrington, Chris Bates and Jim Bates all tried to wrestle the lead from Pastika. Chris Bates suffered another mechanical problem and ended the race in seventh. Jim Bates finished second and Becky Harrington settled for third. David Bosley ran fourth and Jeff Bennett fifth. The big crash saw Steve Douglas dropping fluids and sending him hard into the safer Styrofoam wall at the track exit. As the Styrofoam pieces floated back to the ground, Douglas climbed out to wave to the crowd.
Factory Stock racing took Mike Levin to the Budweiser Victory Lane. Levin got past last year’s Factory Stock champion, Jerry Gaede, on lap four and held off charges from Loren Sheffield and David Rooyakkers. Levin grabbed his first win of the season after two second place finishes and one third. Rooyakkers finished second after winning last week’s feature. Alan Levin finished third, Casey Rohrer fourth and Loren Sheffield fifth.
Saturday, May 13th has the Super Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Mini Stocks, INEX Legends and Bandoleros taking to the 3/8th mile paved oval at Tucson Raceway Park. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.; Qualifying is at 6:30 and First Race at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for Juniors, Seniors and Military and Kids 11 and Under are always FREE! For more information contact (520) 762-9200 or visit www.tucsonracewaypark.com.
Results for Saturday, May 6, 2006
Super Late Models
Heat One: 1. Matt Levin, 2. Ron Norman, 3. Chad Bowden, 4. Mike Egurola
Heat Two: 1. Bobby Collister, 2. Tim Blodgett, 3. T.J. Simmons, 4. Dan Ritenour, 5. Curtis Lansing, 6. J.D. White
Feature Event: 1. Ron Norman, 2. Matt Levin, 3. Chad Bowden, 4. Mike Egurola, 5. Bobby Collister, 6. Tim Blodgett, 7. J.D. White, 8. Dan Ritenour, 9. T.J. Simmons, 10. Curtis Lansing
Fast Qualifier: Ron Norman with15.879 seconds
NASCAR Late Models
Heat One: 1. Scott Strachan, 2. David Rooyakkers, 3. Larry Collins, 4. Duane Hunt, Jr., 5. Alan Levin
Heat Two: 1. Mathew Williams, 2. Mike Shipyor, 3. Brad Moyer, 4. Brent Lewis, 5. Jesse Nekula
Feature Event: 1. Mike Shipyor, 2. Brad Moyer, 3. Scott Strachan, 4. David Rooyakkers, 5. Mathew Williams, 6. Duane Hunt, Jr., 7. Jesse Nekula, 8. Larry Collins, 9. Brent Lewis, 10. Alan Levin
Mini Stocks
Heat One: 1. Chris Bates, 2. Cris Pastika, 3. Steve Douglas, 4. David Bosley, 5. Jeff Bennett
Heat Two: 1. Jim Bates, 2. Becky Harrington, 3. Brian Bertie, 4. Leo Bernier
Feature Event: 1. Cris Pastika, 2. Jim Bates, 3. Becky Harrington, 4. David Bosley, 5. Jeff Bennett, 6. Brian Bertie, 7. Chris Bates, 8. Leo Bernier, 9. Steve Douglas
Factory Stocks
Heat One: 1. Jerry Gaede, 2. Ben Shepherd, 3. Loren Sheffield, 4. John Levin, 5. Duane Hunt, Sr., 6. Ken Hunt
Heat Two: 1. Mike Levin, 2. David Rooyakkers, 3. Casey Rohrer, 4. J.P. Tarabek, 5. Alan Levin, 6. Ken Huizenga
Feature Event: 1. Mike Levin, 2. David Rooyakkers, 3. Alan Levin, 4. Casey Rohrer, 5. Loren Sheffield, 6. Ben Shepherd, 7. Duane Hunt, Sr., 8. Ken Hunt, 9. Jerry Gaede, 10. J.P. Tarabek, 11. John Levin, 12. Ken Huizenga
