SUPER MODIFIEDS HEAT UP THE OVAL AT TUCSON RACEWAY PARK

Source: Tucson Raceway Park Public Relations
Date: 04/06/2003

The Super Modifieds in their first appearance ever at Tucson Raceway Park are a part of the Super Modified Racing League and saw Bob Bigioni of Salinas, California take the lead on lap one and never look back to win the 40-lap main event.

Bigioni after the win commented, “We really like coming here and we hope you have us back real soon.” He continued, “I was able to run in the high groove and the low groove and still able to maintain my advantage. This track is a lot of fun.”

The race saw two slow downs as the yellow flag came out twice for SRL defending champ Lonnie Adamson, who spun out on lap 21 and 35. Adamson dropped off the leader board after the first spin, and left the race after his second incident.

Behind Bigioni was Eric Silsby, out of Carson City, Nevada, in second place, while Dale Lamborn, also from Carson City, was third, with Ricky Otts running fourth out of Houston, Texas, and Jim Birges from Fresno, California, coming in fifth.

The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series saw a real battle of youth and experience as Branden Bonnett posted his first Super Late Model victory in his career over Chuck Wares defending division champion in the 30-lap main event.

Both drivers were not alone in their drive for the checkered flag as the race saw three different leaders with Ron Wear holding the upper hand for 23 laps of the struggle.

Wares took the lead on lap 24, but was only able to hold the top spot for four laps before Bonnett took command.

Bonnett was overjoyed after the race and said, “I’m speechless. I tried to be patient and when I thought could make my move on Chuck I did, and here I am. It really is great to be standing here.

Behind Bonnett and Wares was Ron Norman in third place, with Joe Paladenic running fourth and Ron Wear rounding out the top five in fifth.

In the NASCAR Late Models Main Event Matt Levin made it two wins in a row coming from behind to pass Brian Brown on the races 25th lap.

Levin survived a red flag on lap two when seven cars got together in turn four forcing only one competitor, Barry Coleman from the race.

The race saw only one other slow down when on lap 10 Bobby Collister and Brian Latta traded some paint on the backstretch bring out the yellow flag. Latta was able to continue, while Collister tried to stay, but was forced to make an early exit.

Following Levin and Brown across the finish line were Scott Strachan in third place, his second top five finish this year, while Gary Alvarez was fourth and Brad Moyer finished fifth.

In the NASCAR Grand American Modified Main Event Rookie Darren Dodd won for the first time this year in the 25-lap feature.

Dodd, who runs out of Phoenix, was beaming following the race. “These guys are great to race with here in Tucson. I love running here and I really learn a lot from these guys,” said Dodd.

Dodd followed Patrick Bush for 19 laps of the race and forced the issue early and took charge for good on lap 21.

Bush was able to hold on to second place, as he out distanced Joe Changose, out of Phoenix, who ran third, while Larry Kayton ran fourth, with Dusty Fielden filling out the big board in fifth.

For Bush, fourth last week and second this week, Changose, second last week and third this week, Fielden, third last week and fifth this week and Kayton, fifth last week and fourth this week, it has been two weeks of close but no cigar but look for one or all to make the winner’s circle soon.

Next Saturday the Bud Five Star Series continues with NASCAR Super Late Models, NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Factory Stocks, Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Challenge and Mr. Backwards all presented by Auto Trader Magazine.

Mr. Backwards will jump ramp to ramp over six cars while riding backwards on his Harley Davidson. He was most recently seen on “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”(television show) as he successfully completed his jump at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

MAIN EVENT - 1. Branden Bonnett, 2. Chuck Wares, 3. Ron Norman, 4. Joe Paladenic, 5. Ron Wear, 6. Chris Barr, 7. Hank Winter, 8. Ruben Federico, 9. Ron Searle, Jr., 10. Mike Egurola, 11. Billy Kann, 12. Brandon Schilling

TROPHY DASH - 1. Chuck Wares, 2. Joe Paladenic, 3. Ron Norman, 4. Ron Wear, 5. Branden Bonnett, 6. Chris Barr

HEAT TWO - 1. Hank Winter, 2. Mike Egurola, 3. Ron Searle, Jr., 4. Ruben Federico, 5. Brandon Schilling, 6. Billy Kann

FAST TIME - Branden Bonnett - 15.926 seconds

MAIN EVENT - 1. Matt Levin, 2. Brian Brown, 3. Scott Strachan, 4. Gary Alvarez, 5. Brad Moyer, 6. Tim Blodgett, 7. David Nekula, 8. Larry Collins, 9. Brian Latta, 10. Roger Cohn, 11. Bobby Collister, 12. Barry Coleman

HEAT ONE - 1. Brian Latta, 2. Brian Brown, 3. Matt Levin, 4. Brad Moyer, 5. Barry Coleman, 6. Roger Cohn

HEAT TWO - 1. Bobby Collister, 2. David Nekula, 3. Gary Alvarez, 4. Scott Strachan, 5. Tim Blodgett, 6. Larry Collins

HEAT ONE - 1. Billy Johanneck, 2. Ruben Federico, 3. Todd Updyke, 4. Larry Kayton, 5. Steve Piper

HEAT TWO - 1. Dusty Fielden, 2. Joe Changose, 3. P. J. Megna, 4. John Sweeney, 5. Dennis Fetter

HEAT THREE - 1. Patrick Bush, 2. Denver Dodd, 3. Cris Pastika, 4. Ron Brown

MAIN EVENT - 1. Bob Bigioni, 2. Eric Silsby, 3. Dale Lamborn, 4. Ricky Otts, 5. Jim Birges, 6. Jim Tartaglia, 7. Darren Rusconi, 8. Bobby Dalton, 9. Lonnie Adamson, 10. A.J. Russell, 11. Mike Basich

HEAT ONE - 1. Bob Bigioni, 2. A. J. Russell, 3. Eric Silsby, 4. Lonnie Adamson, 5. Darren Rusconi, 6. Bobby Dalton

HEAT TWO - 1. Ricky Otts, 2. Dale Lamborn, 3. Mike Basich, 4. Jim Birges, 5. Jim Tartaglia

FAST TIME - Lonnie Adamson - 13.061 seconds

See Also .:

• Tucson Raceway Park Track Page

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