MERCED, California — Troy Foulger said ‘see you next Sunday at the West Coast Nationals’ to the rest of the field as he walked away with the modified stock car feature Sunday evening at Merced Speedway. The 20 year-old Antioch Speedway points leader traveled to Merced for the first time to set up his car for the big race.
“I wasn’t here to finish second,” he said in victory lane. “I learned a lot about the track. I’ll make a few adjustments to the shocks and springs for next week.”
Foulger, of Martinez, Calif. is enthusiastic about the race.
“I can’t wait for next weekend,” he continued. “Being at a the race track is another day in paradise for me. I love this little bullring. I can’t wait to get back.”
Randy Brown and Bob Williamson challenged Foulger on the restarts, but he soon pulled away from them. Foulger held a commanding quarter lap lead at the finish.
It was a night of first-time winners, as more than 70 cars crowded the pits under a cloudless sky brightened by a full moon.
Merced’s Bob Smith, who hadn’t raced in eight years, was asked to drive a new Street Stock owned by Richard Guthmiller. He took it to victory lane, also with a sizable lead, in that feature event. Second place Ricky Thatcher of Mariposa tried to hunt him down as they weaved through lapped traffic late in the feature.
Also jumping into someone else’s car was former track champion Tim Porter, father of Ryan and Shannon Porter. Mike Shearer couldn’t make it to the track, so it was Porter who took Shearer’s car to victory lane in the Valley Sportsman Division. Tim Prothro chased him across the finish line.
In the Hobby Stock main event, another first time visitor tasted victory. Kyle Camperud, a six-year veteran of Ocean Speedway, came to Merced and drove the quarter mile like he knew it. Nick Silva fought off Shane Hausmann, who worked his way from the back of the pack to battle for second at the finish.
The “Four-Banger” feature event was dominated by Terry Campion of Santa Cruz. Though he raced at Ocean Speedway all season, his trip to Merced Speedway became special.
“I’m a rookie. It’s my first win ever!” he said in victory lane. “I really dug it – racing here. It’s great to have a win over a full field of cars.”
Seven-year veteran of the Sprint Car division, Steve Williams, a Merced native, raced for the first time this season and won. Dave Press, who won two weeks ago, challenged Williams all the way to the checkered flag in a thrilling finish.
Next Sunday, only modifieds will be featured as Merced and Antioch Speedways host the West Coast Nationals.
TOP FIVES:
Modifieds: 1.) #49-Troy Foulger 2.) #1-Randy Brown 3.) #19-Bob Williamson 4.) #14-Ryan Porter 5.) ##1J-Jeff Streeter.
Sprints: 1.) #93 - Steven Williams 2.) #41-Dave Press 3.) #99 Dan-Gonderman 4.) #0-Scott Holloway 5.) #41T-Trevor Press.
Four Bangers: 1.) #6J-Terry Campion 2.) #33-Paul Espino 3.) #7T-Tim Elias 4.) #4T4K Joshua Strickland 5.) #31-Jimmy Robbins.
Hobby Stock: 1.) #197-Kyle Camperud 2.) #56s-Nick Silva 3.) #55-Shane Hausman 4.) #71-Tim Ragsdale 5.) #10-Stacey Marlow.
Street Stock: 1.) #2-Bob Smith 2.) #61-Ricky Thatcher 3.) #14T-Darrin Thomas 4.) #88-Buddy Thatcher. 5.) #00-Ralph Beck.
Valley Sportsman: 1.) #67-Tim Porter 2.) #23-Tim Prothro 3.) #55-Mike Hausmann 4.) #57-Mark Odgers 5.) #V8-Mike Henault.
