ANDERSON, California -- If Yogi Berra had been at Saturday’s Eldorado Westcar Late Model Series event he would have said ‘It’s like dejavu, all over again.’
Orangevale’s Gary Glenn continued his impressive run in Westcar competition, picking up win number two in round two for the asphalt touring late model series at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, CA.
A strong crowd witnessed the Westcar action on the fast 3/8ths mile speed plant, with Glenn leading the final 80 laps en-route to the victory.
The victory marks Glenn’s seventh career win.
Wes Miller of Turlock, CA led the opening lap of competition before surrendering the lead to Dave Byrd of Monterrey, CA. The 2006 Altamont champ led a closely matched top five throughout the opening run of the race.
Glenn nabbed the second spot from Miller on lap five, with rookie teammate Jarred Beddow moving past Greg Potts of Morada, CA for fourth a lap later. On lap 14, Beddow passed Miller for third.
After a close battle, Glenn took the lead from Byrd on lap 19, with Byrd following closely.
Meanwhile, 19 year-old Bobby Butler of Sacramento, CA and Nevada veteran Craig Paulsen were embroiled in a battle for the sixth spot. On lap 41, Paulsen and Butler got together in turn two, with Paulsen hitting the wall, ending his night.
On the restart, Glenn powered away from the pack, while Butler set his sights on the top-five, and made his way around Miller on lap 51.
Byrd’s season has been littered with mechanical ailments and on lap 58 the veteran driver with slowed with battery and ignition problems on the Bob Strandwold-owned Chevrolet.
Byrd gave up a strong second place, with Beddow assuming the position in tow with Glenn.
Miller, running fifth at the time, dropped out with a mechanical issue on lap 71.
Glenn, Beddow, Butler, and Potts dueled in the top four positions throughout the final quarter of the race, with Potts taking over second from Beddow on lap 78.
Andy Livengood of Richmond, CA continued to show improvement. After a top-five qualifying run at the rained out Altamont event, Livengood was able to move into fourth with a pass on Butler with 17 laps remaining.
Glenn sailed home for a 1.6 second win over Potts. Beddow, Livengood, and Butler rounded out the top-five.
Brian Koski and Paul Hansen rounded out the lead lap cars. Glenn now leads by eight points over his rookie teammate Beddow in the overall points standings after two rounds.
2005 SRL champion Jason Fensler set a new track record at a blazing 16.072 and won the Performance Electric fast time award. Fensler’s car broke in the happy ten final practice session, however, and he was unable to start the feature event.
Greg Potts won the Competition Carburetion Dash for Cash.
Westcar is supported in 2007 by: Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno, Performance Electric, California Door and Frame, Competition Carburetion, John L. Sullivan, Jim Courage Pools, Circle Track Steering, Five Star Bodies, Sierra Racing Products, Fensler Racing, DPI, F.R.E., JME, Cust-Tee-Mized, and Perry Racing. About Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno: The award winning Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno, NV is proud to support grassroots motorsports. The Eldorado was named ‘Best Reno Rooms and Suites’ by Casino Player Magazine. Visit www.eldoradoreno. com or call 1-800-879-8879.
About Westcar: The Westcar Series was started in late 2004 in Northern California by Phil Perry of Perry Race Cars and Jeff Macey of JME, who looked to create a solid touring series for weekly-type Western Late Models. This series became the Eldorado Westcar Late Model Series, which is preparing for its third season in 2007. Westcar continues to evolve and in is in the process of launching the Eldorado Westcar Pot O’ Gold Grassroots Championship.
Finish for the Shasta 100 at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, CA on May 19th:
1. 50 Gary Glenn Orangevale, CA G. Glenn Plastering Chevy $1600
2. 2 Greg Potts Morada, CA Sta-rite Pool Products Chevy $1000
3. 51 Jarred Beddow* Roseville, CA G. Glenn Plastering Chevy $750
4. 16 Andy Livengood Richmond, CA West Construction Chevy $600
5. 56 Bobby Butler Sacramento, CA Mid-Valley Iron Pontiac $550
6. 5 Brian Koski San Ramon, CA Groth Bros. Chevrolet Chevy $600
7. 20 Paul Hansen Point Richmond, CA West Construction Chevy $475
8. 7 Kris Keller* Carson City, NV Wenkel Pontiac GMC Chevy $450
9. 89 Bobby Hodges Carson City, NV NATC/Team Marines Racing Chevy $425
10. 07 Todd Schneider* Petaluma, CA Navato Toyota Chevy $400
11. 3x Chet Danburg Carson City, NV Carson Horseshoe Club Chevy $390
12. 25 Randy Reeves Modesto, CA Scenic Towing & Autocare Chevy $380
13. 12 Josh Combs* Sacramento, CA MUDRacing Chevy $370
14. 21 Eric Nascimento* Manteca, CA Aqua Pool & Spa Chevy $360
15. 57 Wes Miller Turlock, CA Chevy $350
16. 1 Dave Byrd Monterey, CA Super Clean/Splash Chevy $340
17. 22 Craig Paulsen Carson City, NV Chevy $330
DNS: #35 Jason Fensler Elk Grove, CA Allen's Tire Ford $100 Lap Leaders: 1 Wes Miller 2-19 Dave Byrd, 20-100 Gary Glenn Performance Electric Fast Time Award – Jason Fensler 16.072 *New Track Record*
Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash – Greg Potts
Jim Courage Pools Hard Charger Award – Brian Koski
California Door Most Laps Led Award – Gary Glenn
Current points: Gary Glenn 100, Jarred Beddow 92, Bobby Butler 90, Greg Potts 90, Brian Koski 80, Paul Hansen 74, Randy Reeves 72, Chet Danburg 68, Andy Livengood 64, Kris Keller 60.
Next event: Altamont 100 at Altamont Motorsports Park, Saturday, June 2nd.
