Only ten Midget Lites were on hand to compete on a beautifully prepared dirt surface at Petaluma. Distance, the price of gas, and other issues, besides the economy, are the reasons for the low car count. Those racers that missed the race will be drooling when they see the track surface in the Pro Motion Video, DVD of the event.
Jason Sneep driving the 11x, Lonnie Lopez, LaCasita Restaurant sponsored
Bailey/ Suzuki, was looking for his sixth feature win on the 09 season.
Points leader, Doug Nunes, in his #1, Betty Brite Cleaners sponsored Bailey/ Suzuki, was looking for his second win of the season, and to leave Petaluma with the points lead.
Other main event winners, Chris Glass, in the Red Hawk Casino #9, Joey Hoover, in the Callen Pool Supply #76, and Dakota Albright in the Wayne Albright #35jr, were also looking for a second main event win.
07 BCRA Champion Justin Grant, driving the Lonnie Lopez, #11, in the Lites, and the Dave Thurston, NeverForgetOurFallen, RacingForTheTroups, #17 in the midget division spoiled the party, by winning the Lite main.
I have been waiting for the speedway to post lap results on MyLaps.com, for my story per lap, and tonight (Wed) they posted the event, but left out the Lites. So I am writing my story from the video of the races, captured by my partner, camera man Dennis Parker.
The program started with some laps in memory of a friend of mine, and long time friend of many, Rick Arata. Rick, owner of Storks Garage in Napa, was a long time BCRA member and car owner. Rick passed suddenly in July. The lites were represented by Rick Holbrook in the memorial laps.
Heat #1, was won by 11x Jason Sneep, who jumped from his second row starting position, led the first lap and never looked back.
Heat #2, was won by #1 Doug Nunes. Pete Paulson driving the #8 Red Hawk Casino machine led the first two laps before Nunes took over for eh win.
Front row starting #75 Richie Hoover in his Callen Pool Supply, ART/Suzuki, jumped into the lead at the green followed by his brother Joey in his #76 Callen Pool Supply, Henchcraft/Suzuki. Eighth starting #11 Grant was up to third by lap two.
Chris Glass #9, brought out the yellow on lap two when his chain came off, again, on the front straight.
Richie Hoover was strong on the restart, but the powerful Sneep and Grant were on the move, passing him in turn 4 to take first and second place positions. Nunes was back in the pack, and finally got by Joey Hoover to move up with the leaders.
Grant took command of the race, as Sneep and Nunes made every effort to catch him, but their effort was in vain. Grant had no problems with back markers, and cruised to the win.
The excitement of the race was the fire red brake rotor of #8 Pete Paulson. Paulson did not know there was a red hot fire in his seat, as he pressed on with the race. I saw the black flag in Joe Ponti’s hand (the flag man) as the laps tic’d down. He used his long years of professional flagging judgment, in regards to the safety of the driver and finishing the event. The main finished with out having to use the black flag.
Heat #1: Sneep, Grant, Albright, J. Hoover, Beard
Heat #2: Nunes, Holbrook, Paulson, R. Hoover, Glass DNS
Main: Grant, Sneep, Nunes, R. Hoover, J. Hoover, Paulson, Albright, Beard, Holbrook, Glass
Notes of interest:
I announced both the Lites and Midgets from the announcing booth, and I have received compliments. Jason Sneep has dominated the main events with 5 wins, but a flip on 5/9 at Placerville, placed him 17th, and problems at Lemoore placed him 15th, and currently 30 points out of first place in the standings.
Richie Hoover told me he got tired while leading, but I think he got tired because he was so excited to drive so dominant while in the lead.
The Phantom midget writer, Robert Haugh, again avoided me in the pits, but I will catch up to him soon.
MotoRacing newspaper is offering all racers, team members and fans, two free issues of the publication, in return for your address. See me in the pits at Placerville for the offer. MotoRacing is covering the Lites, and BCRA, plus all local and regional racing
The Lites have a week off, and will return to Placerville on August 29th for race #11 of the 09 season. All information can be found at www.bcraracing.com
