Everyone in attendance made it through Friday the 13th and were ready for NASCAR Saturday night short track racing Tucson Raceway Park style. As usual, the weatherman predicted 50% chance of showers and we received a beautiful calm desert night. Domino's, the official Pizza of Tucson Raceway Park and NAPA Auto Parts presented four NASCAR classes.
The Late Model qualifying was led by Mike Shipyor and after the dust had settled, young rookie sensation Duane Hunt Jr. had won his first Late Model Trophy Dash. The Late Model heat race was won by point's leader Matt Williams in dominating fashion. A five car invert put fast qualifier Shipyor on the pole for the main event with Strachan alongside. After just one lap it was Hunt Jr. leading until lap nine at which point Strachan took command of the event. While Strachan stretched his lead, the race was for second among Moyer, Hunt Jr., Shipyor and Collins. After thirty laps of side by side racing it was Strachan's first 2006 main event win followed by Moyer and Hunt Jr.
The NASCAR Modifieds were again short on car count but long on excitement! The four car field was dominated by P.J. Megna in the heat race and again in the main event. Pat Bush put everyone on the Edge of their seats with his broad sliding around Tucson Raceway Park lap after lap. On lap 19 of 30, Jerry Thitchener lost a wheel on his brand new modified and made hard contact with the fourth turn wall. Jerry was OK, but the car was done for the night. The race would end with Megna winning another and Stress and Bush holding on.
The Factory Stocks were again the class to watch as rookie, Rohrer, won the first heat and Loren Sheffield heat two. The main saw Rohrer dominating and Rooyakkers taking second followed by Smith and Hunt Sr. Sheffield experienced handling problems and faded to fifth at the finish after running a strong second for the first ten laps.
The NASCAR Mini Stocks had two heat races tonight with Becky Harrington in the truck winning heat one and Jim Bates winning heat two. The main would have David Bosley starting on the front row in his NAPA sponsored number 41 Pinto with Tammy Lynn alongside in her Toyota. Bozz led lap one to the joy of the NAPA crowd. Cris Pastika took command on lap two and led until Chris Bates passed on the inside and checked out! As Chris Bates was alone out front, Jim Bates would get by Pastika and set out after his son. At Taylor Colvin's checkers it was Chris Bates, Jim Bates and Cris Pastika.
