TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- There was plenty of action in each division at the Magic Valley Speedway last Saturday night.
Lou Andersen won his second main event race of the season for the NAPA Pony Stocks as he was able to stay out of trouble during the 30-lap race, but not everyone else was so fortunate.
A couple of cautions had the field scrambling for position early on the main event, but Randy Grubbs wanted it most and took things over at lap six. At lap 17 however, Lou Andersen snuck under Grubbs as he struggled to make his way around a slower car in front of him, and was able to hold off a hard charging Josh Pitz for the win.
Just after Andersen crossed the finish line, a battle was ensuing behind him as several drivers saw a last minute chance to improve their finish.
It was then that Grubbs and another car made contact just under the flag stand, sending Grubbs into the barriers - riding along on two wheels for several yards and then flipping over onto its roof. The No. 26 car scraped along the asphalt with sparks flying for several more yards, finally coming to a rest just before turn one.
Safety crews were right on the scene, and Grubbs crawled out of the still wrong side-up car to the cheers of the fans.
"It was exciting but spooky," Grubbs said in the pits after having loaded the damaged car into his trailer. "I climbed the wall and went upside down, and I thought, ‘this isn’t going to be good’."
Fortunately Grubbs was able to walk away, but the Pony Stock car has definitely seen better days. Hopefully Grubbs can get things back together after a scheduled week off for the Pony Stocks this Saturday.
"It will be time and money," Grubbs said.
Kenny Vanderham and Doc Stevens each wanted the lead early in the Intermountain Pro Trucks race, but it was Vanderham who was able to cross the scoring line just ahead of Stevens at each of the first five laps. Trent Bell, driving the ‘Q’ truck, took advantage of the first restart which occurred at lap five and powered his way around both Vanderham and Stevens. Bell held the lead for all but one of the next 18 laps but Kevan Larson, who started the race towards the back of the field and had caught up to Bell at this point, made his move in turn three, passing Bell on the inside and taking over the lead.
"Trent (Bell) was running well tonight but I was able to stick the nose of underneath him and get around," Larson said. "I figured I’d better make my move while I could."
Even after the goal of taking the lead was accomplished however, Larson was anything but home free, knowing very well that he had the lead late in the race two weeks ago but had to settle for second after he was passed with two laps to go in the race. This time it was the 99 truck of Ralph Kincheloe who was chasing Larson and lap traffic had also come into play with just five laps to go in the race. Larson was not about to be outdone this time however, picking his way neatly through traffic as the rookie went on to win his first main event ever.
Kevan Larson’s father Alan Larson, who finished fifth in the race, then gave son Kevan some heartwarming congratulations in the winner’s circle on this Father’s Day eve.
Jeff Meads captured his second win of the season in the Budweiser Grand Nationals division and also extended his lead in the points standings while doing so.
Jerry McKean maintained the lead through the first 17 laps of the 35-lap main event race but was forced to contend with Meads on the restart after the first caution of the race came out when the car of Terry Lydell went off the turn four embankment. Meads, who was already catching up to McKean at that point, took the high-line restart and was able to get around McKean and took over from there. Another quick caution had McKean giving it a try on the high groove, but it was lonely at the top this time out as all the other drivers chose the low side. Meads once again took over - but brought Jerry Rice and Louis Lopez along with him. The three knocked at each other’s back doors for a few laps but Meads refused to answer and was once again able to accept the win from victory lane.
"I felt someone behind me, although I didn’t know who it was," Meads said. "I thought it was either Rice or Lopez, but I definitely felt the heat. I got touched by one of them - and I knew I had to step it up. With the yellows it’s hard to get a rhythm going. The longer runs usually help me."
Magic Valley Pipe Thunder Stock driver Jim Shirley became the first repeat winner of the season in the division, after taking the lead from Jim Howard at lap 13. Shirley bobbled in turn two earlier in the race but was able to recover and pass race leader Howard at lap 13. It was not an easy pass for Shirley however, as Howard fought for the position with Shirley for several laps not wanting to give anything up. Craig Nuthak was able to edge Howard at the last second for the runner-up position and Desi Ahrens, who also worked his way up from the back of the field along with Nuthak, finished fourth just behind Howard.
Renee Lopez was the winner of Saturday night’s Queen Bee race, although Misty Greco led the most laps in the 20-lap event. Greco jumped out to an early lead but lap traffic with five lap left in the race gave Heather Todd the chance to challenge Greco for the position. The two touched in turn three, sending Greco down the embankment. Both drivers remained in the race, but were sent to the back of the field for the restart. Lopez now found herself in the lead and held on to win her first main event of the season.
As incentive this night, each race winner was given a rolling tool box or work bench courtesy of Sears who has been a long-time promoter of the Magic Valley Speedway.
InterMountain Pro Trucks – 1. Kevan Larson; 2. Ralph Kincheloe; 3. Trent Bell; 4. Dan Koyle; 5. Alan Larson; 6. Ken Kennedy; 7. Wayne Gunderson; 8. Dan Pehrson; 9. Doc Stevens; 10. Kenny Vanderham.
Budweiser Grand Nationals – 1. Jeff Meads; 2. Jerry Rice; 3. Louis Lopez; 4. Les Schild; 5. Jerry McKean; 6. Ernie Hall; 7. Randy Price; 8. Willie Dalton; 9. Bill Manker; 10. Terry Lydell.
NAPA Pony Stocks – 1. Lou Andersen; 2. Josh Pitz; 3. Kristi Fehringer; 4. Trent Champlin; 5. Randy Grubbs; 6. Shawn Nice; 7. Brent Fehringer; 8. Jason Whited; 9. John Urie; 10. Bruce Henry.
Magic Valley Pipe Thunder Stocks – 1. Jim Shirley; 2. Craig Nuthak; 3. Jim Howard; 4. Desi Ahrens; 5. Mike Dawson; 6. Kamie Nuthak; 7. John Hoogendoorn; 8. Shiela Harms; 9. Michelle Rouse; 10. Vinny Evans.
Quale’s Electronics Queen Bees – 1. Renee Lopez; 2. Amber O’Brien; 3. Jessica Hansen; 4. Misty Greco; 5. Heather Todd; 6. Alicia Dalton; 7. ChaeSon Bollar; 8. Stephanie Grapesworth; 9. Amy Russell; 10. Melissa Brown.
