HOLT AND PABST CHALK UP HEAVY METAL VICTORIES AT MADERA SPEEDWAY

Source: Madera Speedway/db
Date: 07/13/2008

Madera Speedway was back in action on Saturday, July 12th, for the Round #2 of the 2008 Enduro and Destruction Derby series. The program produced plenty of thrills, spills and metal crunching mayhem that kept the crowd entertained all evening long.

The Madera Fairgrounds also acts as a staging area for many of the brave men and women fighting the many fires raging in the nearby hills and the track was honored to have several of them in the grandstands as special guests for the night.

The Spectator Racing Series, which allows fans the chance to savor the racing experience for themselves on the "Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West" in an actual competitive event, kicked off the night’s contests.

Madera Speedway’s own public address announcer Wild Wayne Pierce, of Stockton, stepped out of the booth to get back behind the steering wheel in the Spectator Racing Series event on Saturday. Pierce is a driving veteran from the late model wars at Stockton 99 Speedway from 1988 through 1998, earning the B Main championship in 1991.

Although Pierce qualified second fastest behind Cowboy Bob Koop, he quickly jumped into the lead of the 15-lap feature and sailed to a wire-to-wire victory. Koop finished in second and Mark Martinez rounded out the podium.

"It was a scream out there. Although Koop out qualified me, I was fast in practice, so I figured if I could get out early it would be all over," said Pierce of his first experience in a racecar in over ten years. "My main concern was over driving the car, spinning and looking stupid. I was driving for my pride."

Following the Spectator Racing main the asphalt track was wet down and soaped up to make it even more treacherous for the Enduro daredevils, who would have to navigate the big 1/3 oval for 150 laps – 75 in each direction.

With three straight Enduro wins at Madera, dating back to last season, Stockton’s David Pabst was once again the odds on favorite.

Starting from the number five position, Pabst wasted no time as he bolted past the cars in front of him to take the lead going into turn one on the opening lap. Pabst continued to mow down the competition, taking a full two lap advantage over the second place car of Stockton’s Ryan Strmiska, the youngest son of former two-time Stockton 99 Speedway champion Ron Strmiska Sr., when the race was yellow flagged for the 75-lap intermission.

During the halftime break Pabst learned he would be penalized two laps and start the second portion of the Enduro from the rear for jumping the start.

"It really doesn’t matter a lot to me. We need to just stay patient, go fast and keep out of trouble," said Pabst who was unfazed by the penalty. "I think we will still come back to win it all. The car handles even better going clockwise and turning right."

Pabst’s assessment was spot on as he cruised through the pack and passed Strmiska to retake the lead just nine laps into the second half of the race. As Pabst continued to run away from the rest of the pack, Strmiska lost second place to Oakdale’s Allen Deabenderfer after he experienced a flat and was forced to duck into the pits to make repairs.

When the checkered flag came out Pabst had a three-lap lead on Deabenderfer and five-lap advantage on Strmiska. Loren Chitwood, of Davis and Dan Reed, of Santa Rosa, completed the top five.

"I just stayed steady on the throttle and we were fortunate to avoid any trouble like a flat tire," explained Pabst. "I gave the 11 car (Deabenderfer) a few tips a couple of weeks ago and it helped him. I need to be careful."

Deabenderfer was ecstatic with his runner up finish.

"That was awesome. To come out here and run with guys like Pabst and Strmiska is a lot of fun," said Deabenderfer. "But I think the only way I am going to beat Pabst is take him out."

Pabst now holds a 70 to 54 point lead over Strmiska in the Madera Enduro standings. Stockton’s Steve Grant (44), Deabenderfer (40) and Leon Chitwood of Davis (40) round out the top five.

The 10-car Destruction Derby had more hard hitting than the mosh pit at a Metallica concert. Ultimately, the field was whittled down to three survivors - Brian "Undertaker" Holt of Ceres, Mariposa’s Nick Smith and Hilmar’s Kurtis Van Focken.

Holt, who along with his three brothers has been taking part in demolition derbies for 20 years, eventually pounded the other two into submission and then celebrated with some mud spewing doughnuts much to the crowd’s delight.

"This track is fast and I think this might be the most exciting derby to watch anywhere in California," said Holt as he clutched the winner’s trophy. "I was trying to save the back of the car and I was able to do that for the most part. I was also able to keep my tires to the end and I think that was the key to winning."

After officials tallied up the points Smith was credited with second place, Van Focken third, and San Jose brothers Kenneth and Ryan Chivers were awarded fourth and fifth.

"Great track, great derby. I love the asphalt. You really hook up here and I can’t wait to come back," exclaimed Smith. "When it comes down to the Holts you are in a world of hurt. You have to try and get them when you have the chance and we couldn’t tonight."

Next Saturday, July 19th, Madera Speedway will host the Pombo Classic in Super Saturday #4. The program will feature the powerful 410 and 360 Super Modifieds running together in a combined feature, plus the Western Late Models and BCRA Midgets in a main event tripleheader. In addition, the Legends of the Pacific, American Limited Stock Cars and Spectator Racing Series will all be racing.

The following Saturday, July 26th, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series will return for Hot Rod Run, Car Show & Kids Night. This huge eight division program will include the Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars, Toyota Sedans, 360 Super Modifieds, Hornets, Baby Grands, Spectator Racing Series and the Vintage Sprints/Midgets.

The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off the western side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit.

For more Madera Speedway information all the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE

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