IRWINDALE, California -- Tim Schendel took the lead early but had to fight off challenges on three late restarts that sent the race it overtime to win the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division event, which opened the fourth annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Saturday at Irwindale Speedway. The NASCAR Grand National Division was also scheduled to complete the $500,000 "super bowl of short track racing" televised nationally by SPEED.
Schendel, the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series champion from Sparta, Wis., took the lead on lap 18 of the scheduled 125-lap distance and didn't face a major challenge until a restart on lap 119 gave Minnesota's Dan Fredrickson a clear shot. The same scenario would be repeated two more times, extending the distance to 130 laps, but Schendel was equal to the competition. On the final corner of the race, Californian Thomas Martin dove under Fredrickson to take second at the checkered flag. Golden State drivers Eric Holmes and Jim Pettit II completed the top five, helping the AutoZone Elite Southwest Series win the team competition among the four regional tours.
"Winning the championship then winning the Showdown and getting to drive a NASCAR Busch Series car next weekend in Memphis is fantastic," the winner said in victory lane. "I wanted this one bad because it was the last chance I had to win in the AutoZone Elite Division," he continued, referring to the fact that the late model-type cars are in their final season as a NASCAR Touring division.
Unofficial Race Results
NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown
NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division
Irwindale Speedway October 21, 2006
Final leaders of Saturday's $268,320.00 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division stock car race with driver's starting position in parentheses, hometown, make and model of car, laps completed, winner's average speed, reason out (if any) and prize money.
1. (6) Tim Schendel, Sparta Wis., Chevrolet, 130, $14,300
2. (4) Thomas Martin, Auburn Calif., Chevrolet, 130, $10,000
3. (13) Dan Fredrickson, Elko Minn., Chevrolet, 130, $9,000
4. (20) Eric Holmes, Escalon Calif., Chevrolet, 130, $7,750
5. (3) Jim Pettit, II, Prunedale Calif., Ford, 130, $7,500
6. (10) Wilbur Bruce, Tacoma Wash., Chevrolet, 130, $7,750
7. (19) David Mayhew, Atascadero Calif., Chevrolet, 130, $7,125
8. (30) Steve Carlson, West Salem Wis., Chevrolet, 130, $8,750
9. (29) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 130, $7,000
10. (11) Jay Sauls, Puyallup. Wash., Chevrolet, 130, $6,875
11. (12) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 130, $6,500
12. (22) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge Colo., Chevrolet, 130, $6,800
13. (17) Scotty Backman, Parker Colo., Chevrolet, 130, $6,825
14. (15) Kevin Clark, Colorado Springs Colo., Chevrolet, 130, $5,600
15. (7) J.R. Norris, Mulga Ala., Ford, 130, $6,000
16. (35) Mike Longton, Moxee Wash., Chevrolet, 130, $5,900
17. (8) Dusty Williams, Garden City Ga., Chevrolet, 130, $5,800
18. (24) Brent Kirchner, LaCrosse Wis., Chevrolet, 130, $6,200
19. (36) Gary Helton, Sevierville Tenn., Chevrolet, 129, $5,600
20. (18) Kevin Vernon, Bakersfield Calif., Chevrolet, 129, $5,000
21. (28) Bruce Yackey, Greeley Colo., Chevrolet, 129, $6,000
22. (40) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet, 129, $5,500
23. (25) Ted Mickelson, Greer S.C., Chevrolet, 129, $5,625
24. (27) Mark Kraus, Strattford Wis., Chevrolet, 128, $6,000
25. (31) Michel Foy, Grayson Ga., Chevrolet, 127, $5,500
26. (37) B.J. Tidrick, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 126, $5,500
27. (26) Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 123, Accident, $5,500
28. (2) Ryan Lawler, Colleyville Texas, Ford, 123, Accident, $5,950
29. (1) Eddy McKean, Jerome Idaho, Pontiac, 119, $5,450
30. (21) Josh Hamner, Harpersville Ala., Chevrolet, 119, $5,500
31. (39) Joe Mattress, Zebulon N.C., Chevrolet, 118, $5,500
32. (34) Chip Brindle, Chatsworth Ga., Chevrolet, 111, $5,500
33. (5) Rip Michels, San Fernando Calif., Chevrolet, 103, $5,300
34. (23) Greg Fowler, Erie Colo., Chevrolet, 97, Engine, $6,000
35. (14) Shane Mitchell, Orondo Wash., Chevrolet, 93, Engine, $5,500
36. (16) Greg Voigt, Santa Barbara Calif., Chevrolet, 77, Accident, $5,000
37. (9) Josh Vadnais, White Bear Lake Minn., Chevrolet, 74, Engine, $6,000
38. (33) Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash., Dodge, 54, Ignition, $5,500
39. (32) M K Kanke, Frazier Park Calif., Chevrolet, 47, Fuel Pump, $5,000
40. (38) Walter Sutcliffe, East Haven Conn., Chevrolet, 37, $5,500
