Chowchilla Speedway kicked off its 2009 schedule on Sunday, March 22nd with a huge crowd and a great car count. The opening night program featured the Western Modifieds in a 30 lap feature, plus the Super Stock Cars, Hobby Stock Cars, and the 4-Banger exhibition race. More than 1,000 fans were treated to one great evening of racing on the newly configured Chowchilla Speedway.
The track staff worked the entire night fighting off the bad weather in an effort to make sure the fans and race teams would enjoy the season opening event. Chris Koontz Construction assisted the track staff and when the pit area was ready for the teams to enter, more than 10” of surface had been removed from the entire pit area.
“The race track was ready for boat races at 5:00am, and it was amazing how the staff saved this event, and we actually had car races this evening. We fought off the rain all night with a huge water pump provided by Action Equipment, and then Chris Koontz and his staff helped us do the impossible in the pits, we built mini reservoirs trapping the water with small banks of dirt, it looked like a miniature Delta out in the pit area, it was amazing” adds Kenny Shepherd.
A Western Modified field of 28 cars fought through three heat races to make the A main. The first heat winner was Duane Cleveland; Duane also won the trophy dash. The second heat race was won by Mike Villanueva, and the third heat was won by Richard Papeahouse. A ten car B main decided the final four transfer spots for the A main. 22 beautiful Western Modifieds lined up to make the charge for the $1,200 victory check waiting in victory lane.
Jeppeson took the early lead, but was soon challenged by rival Ryan McDaniel, the two fought hard throughout most of the race with McDaniel finally taking the point with just a few laps to go, McDaniel’s won the $1,200 30 lap feature with Jeppeson holding off a hard charging Richard Papeahouse for second place. The race went wire to wire and many fans expressed that it was one of the best modified races they had ever seen.
The $500 Super Stock race was won by Nick Sylvester, early race leader Mike Shepherd took second place, with Ricky Thatcher taking third. Sylvester and Shepherd thrilled the crowd with door to door racing action in the closing laps of the event.
Mark Key won the Hobby stock race, with Danny Roe finishing second, and Farren Steitz coming in third place.
Kathy Evens won the 4-Banger exhibition race in runaway fashion.
Chowchilla Speedway will be back in action this Sunday afternoon with a full line up of Western Modifieds, Super Stocks, Hobby Stocks and 4-Bangers. Pit gates open at 11:00, grandstands open at 12:00, and racing begins at 1:00pm.
The Chowchilla Speedway is conveniently located at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds. For more Chowchilla Speedway information visit the track’s website at www.racechowchilla.com
