VICTORVILLE: The weekend after Labor Day revealed no loss of hard work and determination to be the top finisher in every heat. A total of 109 cars lined-up for the chance at the checkered flag. In just the first few heats several drivers discovered just how hard the wall is in turns three and four. The addition of timed heats has the flow of the races running relatively smooth. With the occasional temper flare and problem axle taking their toll the races are still retaining the "edge of your seat" thrills and spills. The Mini Stock main event began with fourteen cars screaming out onto the track. It didn't take long for the drivers to line up and go all out for the finish. Jim Chandler, 27c, started out first. Turn three brought Sands Sprague, #14z, Kevin Holden, #59a, and Chandler in close competition. Holden took Sprague's spot and then put two good car lengths between them. For a few more laps around the track it was Holden, Sprague, Craig Baker, #79, and Mark Nustad, #17. Nustad is the point leader in this division and there is no question as to why. Baker vied for second spot and didn't take his eye off it. Turn one was fruitful for Baker and he took second with Holden making his lead more than three lengths now. Holden, Baker, Nustad, and Sprague filled the top four for several laps. Baker eventually overtook Holden leaving Nustad in third. Nustad insisted in pushing for second over Holden. Then the upset came: Baker bumped out by #8, Marvin Grinder. Grinder was black flagged and exited accordingly. The starting line-up after regrouping was Baker, Holden, Nustad, Mike "Woody" Sabers, #11L, and #22, Bill Haines. They went green at the cone. Holden and Nustad overtook Baker in their quest for first place, leaving Baker in third. Holden, Nustad, Sabers, and Baker finished first through third, respectively. Dwarfs followed the minis. Seventeen rolled out onto the track; #66 left the track via tow truck assistance and left it to his comrades in tires to complete the main event. These are both the most courteous and most avid drivers seen at the track this season. From one moment to the next they are either lending a helping push to a fellow competitor or trying to lap him the next. With only two dwarf races left this season the drivers have been able to remain competitive and reasonable amongst themselves. Third main event for the evening brought the crowded stands the thrill of the Street Stocks. Twenty roaring cars hit the track for the main event. In turn two the first pile-up encumbered four anxious competitors. Joe Pasquale, #27, took first position and Steve Rose, #29, was right behind leaving #33, Lonnie Skillman, and #5x, Don Zoll, rounding out fourth. It was Skillman, Pasquale, and #01j, Chad Johnson, for a few laps. Johnson overtook Pasquale for second spot. Zoll took Pasquale for third. Leaders after the repositioning were Skillman, Johnson, Zoll and Pasquale with the heated pack behind. Mike "Woody" Sabers, #3, coming up through the pack and took fourth from Pasquale. Sabers kept wagging his tail to keep off the rest of the pack while the first three cars had a good four-car lead. Car #8, Jimmy George, popped a tire and hit the infield. Roger Gordon, #10, started in the back and worked his way through the pack. George is out at this point. Johnson kept holding off Gordon. Gordon overtook Johnson in turn four and headed for the front-runners (Gordon in 7th at this point). Finishing line-up was Johnson, Sabers, Skillman, Gordon and Zoll. Super Streets thundered out in force with 20 drivers ready to rumble. The trick is to get where you need to be without bringing down the black flag. For those of you that do not understand the significance of the black flag, ask some of the most aggressive drivers from the 2001 season that had to leave the track under this auspicious waving material. The black flag is first pointed as a warning for conspicuously aggressive behavior. Drivers that don't heed the warning are unceremoniously flagged and required to leave the track and may be barred from the remaining races for the evening. Thankfully, the Route 66 Raceway has very few drivers that lose their heads during the heat of the race and this is an uncommon occurrence. Super Streets starters were #31C, Dave Clark, #66, Leonard Wahlquist, #60, Chris Smith, and #18, Danny Queener. Wahlquist held off Smith for second. Every backstretch Smith pushes his luck and vies for second. Smith got his reward and overtook Wahlquist in a second of indecision on the backstretch. With this many heated drivers on the track it is unavoidable to have tempers flare and cars hit the wall in overcrowding. The season is almost over and the urge to get those much-needed points is too much for some drivers. Starters after several yellows were Clark, Smith, Wahlquist, Queener, and #22, Henry Wesolowski, followed by the rest of the pack. Smith overtook Clark (who thought he had it locked in). Smith, Clark, Queener and Wahlquist were headed for the finish. Final finishers were Smith, Clark, Queener, #14, David Funkhouser, and #71, Mark Allen. Listings of top finishers follow this report. The races continue Saturday, September 22, at 5pm at the Route 66 Raceway in Victorville. For more information contact the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds at 760/951-2200 or Lovella Sullivan at 760/961-2002.
Placements for divisions are as follows:
Minis 1st-#59a (Kevin Holden-Victorville), 2nd-#17 (Mark Nustad-Johnson Valley), 3rd-#11L(Mike "Woody" Sabers-Apple Valley), 4th #79 (Craig Baker-Barstow)
All American 1st-#81 (Matthew Essex-Victorville), 2nd-#56 (Jim Abright-Apple Valley), 3rd-#19 (Dave Anderson-Victorville), 4th-#22 (Nathan Gruwell-Yorba Linda)
Street Stock 1st-#01J (Chad Johnson-Bakersfield), 2nd-#3W (Mike "Woody" Sabers-Apple Valley), 3rd-#33 (Lonnie Skillman-Riverside), 4th-#10 (Roger Godron-Barstow)
Super Streets 1st-#60 (Chris Smith-Trona), 2nd-#31C (Dave Calrk-Riverside), 3rd- #18 (Danny Queener-Torrance), 4th-#14 (David Funkhouser-Phelan)
