CHOWCHILLA, California -- Patco Trucking’s Jake Serven celebrated his recent birthday with a first season victory at Chowchilla Speedway on Saturday July 29. Serven took full advantage of his second row start and powered into the lead on lap eight as he passed pole starter Rob Hammond. RJB Engines’ Jerry Cisco throttled into the second spot and Hale Lumber’s Hammond rounded out the top three.
Wingless Spec Sprint teams from the CSRA and NCMA made the tow for the fourth of six scheduled dual club shows at Chowchilla’s well prepared 1/3 mile track. Afternoon clouds and even a sprinkle of rain made for comfortable temperatures and a smooth, tacky track surface to race on. We welcomed another newcomer, Bill Hopper of Rancho Cordova. Hopper was working the bugs out of his new car and has come from the BCRA Midget Lite ranks.
Track announcer Dave Munoz started the drivers meeting with a prayer and promoter Tom Sagmiller graciously recognized all of his officials and announced that feature winners would get the chance to pilot a school bus in a race later that evening.
Two heat races ran flag to flag, and Goodwill won the first with Patco Trucking’s Jake Serven, team mate Bobby Nichols, and Ramos Oil’s Gary Koster close behind. RJB Engines’ Jerry Ciso won heat two followed by Rob Hammond, Modesto’s Kent Stephens, and Contra Costa Auto Parts’ Keith Shipherd. Larry Nelson and Pat Goodwill unfortunately scratched prior to the heat races. Brentwood’s Jimmy Lavell was busy making repairs after he broke a front axle on the last lap of his heat, and the Shipherd team tracked down a fuel pressure problem. Goodwill won the quick trophy dash followed by Serven, Hammond, and Cisco.
Hale Lumber’s Rob Hammond and Bobby Nichols sat in the front row of the twenty lap feature with RJB Engines’ Jerry Cisco and Patco Trucking’s Jake Serven in row two. Hammond took the lead at the green with Nichols and Goodwill on his tail. The yellow flag flew early for two spun cars, and Hammond led on the restart followed by Nichols, Serven and Koster. Serven hammered it into second on lap six and smoothly took the lead from Hammond on lap eight. Cisco powered into the second spot on lap sixteen and began challenging Serven. Mid pack saw lots of dueling for positions with plenty of passing room on the fast surface. A lap nineteen yellow slowed the action temporarily; Serven held the point on the restart and took it home for the win. Jerry Cisco and Rob Hammond rounded out the top three.
Fans were entertained by the school bus race which featured an amazing three-wide pass in turn four. Serven drove the #777 bus and got lapped, but had fun. The race was won by the #20 Chowchilla Connection bus with its left turn signal flashing throughout the race.
The CSRA Wingless Spec Sprints will race again on Saturday August 5 in Marysville and return to Chowchilla Speedway on Saturday August 19. As always we thank Tom and Cindy Sagmiller and their crew for the hospitality and well prepared track. Drive safe, have fun and take care.
Heat 1: David Goodwill, Jake Serven, Bobby Nichols, Gary Koster, Ed Amador, Alan Clark, Bill Hopper, Larry Nelson (DNS)
Heat 2: Jerry Cisco, Rob Hammond, Kent Stephens, Keith Shipherd, Mark Amador, Jimmy Lavell, Pat Goodwill (DNS)
Main: Jake Serven, Jerry Cisco, Rob Hammond, David Goodwill, Gary Koster, Bobby Nichols, Ed Amador, Keith Shipherd, Jimmy Lavell, Mark Amador, Glenn Hopper, Kent Stephens, Alan Clark
