BONNETT SECOND TIME WINNER IN THE SUPER LATE MODEL DIVISION

Source: Tucson Raceway Park Public Relations
Date: 04/13/2003

The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series saw another real battle between the kid, Branden Bonnett and the veteran Chuck Wares in the 30-lap main event.

Both drivers led the race with Wares taking the early advantage and holding the top spot for the races first 14 laps.

Bonnett took the lead on lap 15, and was never headed. His only period of uncertainty came when Wayne Cassidy hit the wall in the backstretch on lap 26, which brought out the races second flag, this one going red. The field moved back into Bonnett’s rearview mirror in a hurry with Wares in hot pursuit, but when it came time for the green flag it didn’t take Bonnett long to cross the finish line first.

Bonnett was overjoyed after the race and said, “I started in the second row and knew if I could get past Norman, and stay close to Chuck I had chance. Chuck got a little loose on lap 15 and I made my move.”

Behind Bonnett and Wares was Ron Norman in third place, with John Sweeney running fourth and Ron Wear rounding out the top five in fifth. In the NASCAR Late Models Main Event Bobby Collister won for the first time in 2003 in the 25-lap feature.

Collister survived a yellow flag on lap twenty, as Scott Strachan did a solo spin. The slow down caused Collister some concern, “I was really nervous I didn’t know how much of an advantage I had on the field and I knew that the yellow flag would only bring them closer to me,” he said.

Following Collister across the finish line was Brian Brown in second place, while Matt Levin finished third, but after post race inspection Brown and Levin were moved to the back of the pack. The new order of finish after Collister saw Tim Blodgett coming home second, David Nekula was third, Bob Cramb was fourth, and Brad Moyer was fifth.

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

Bush was beaming following the race. “These guys are great to race with here at TRP. I love running here,” said Bush.

Bush followed the race’s early leader Dennis Fetter for five laps before taking the lead and never looking back.

Fetter was able to hold on to second place, as he out distanced Ruben Federico, who ran third, while Larry Kayton ran fourth for the second week in a row, with Carl Thomae in fifth.

In the NASCAR Factory Stocks Main Event Rod Jurado posted his first win of the season in the 20-lap feature.

Jurado said, “It was sure exciting at the end. I was able to keep my line and hold Kelly off just enough to finish first.”

Jurado took the lead on lap eight and was challenged, but never headed on his way to the checkered flag. Behind Jurado was Kelly Germain, who now has a first and second place to her credit this season. Behind Germain was Greg Jayko in third, Mike McGullam ran a strong fourth, while George Sims was fifth.

In tonight’s traveling series show the Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Challenge rolled in Tucson and wowed the fans with a 99 lap Main Event.

Lee Hatch, from Covina, California was the leader from green flag to checker without much pressure from his truck brethren.

Hatch was followed by John Burritt from Sparks, Nevada, in second place, with Troy Decuir of Riverside, California running third, while Colin Dickinson of Peoria, Arizona was fourth and Scott Rueschenberg of Mesa was fifth.

Hatch was thrilled with is truck’s performance and told the crowd, “It was like she was running on rails.” Hatch also thanked his sponsors and the fans at Tucson Raceway Park for making these traveling racing programs possible. Test and Tune practice will heat up the oval on Wednesday night, April 16, when the Gates open at 5pm, with practice running from 6pm to 9pm. Admission is free to watch from the Grandstand.

Next Saturday the Bud Five Star Series continues with NASCAR Super Late Models, NASCAR Mighty Compacts, NASCAR Factory Stocks, Tuff Trux, Hornets, Creeper Race and the Easter Egg Hunt all presented by Southwest Truck Driving Institute.

MAIN EVENT – 1. Branden Bonnett, 2. Chuck Wares, 3. Ron Norman, 4. John Sweeney, 5. Ron Wear, 6. Ron Searle, 7. Hank Winter, 8. Mike Egurola, 9. Wayne Cassidy, 10. Chris Barr, 11. Billy Kann, 12. Joe Paladenic

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

HEAT TWO – 1. Wayne Cassidy, 2. Mike Egurola, 3. Ron Wear, 4. Billy Kann, 5. Hank Winter, 6. Ron Searle

FAST TIME – Branden Bonnett – 15.759 seconds

MAIN EVENT – 1. Bobby Collister, 2. Tim Blodgett, 3. David Nekula, 4. Bob Cramb, 5. Brad Moyer, 6. Scott Strachan, 7. Barry Coleman, 8. Jeff Bennett, 9. Brian Brown, 10. Matt Levin

HEAT ONE – 1. Brad Moyer, 2. Tim Blodgett, 3. David Nekula, 4. Barry Coleman, 5. Jeff Bennett

HEAT TWO – 1. Bobby Collister, 2. Scott Strachan, 3. Bob Cramb, 4. Brian Brown, 5. Matt Levin

MAIN EVENT – 1. Patrick Bush, 2. Dennis Fetter, 3. Ruben Federico, 4. Larry Kayton, 5. Carl Thomae, 6. Cris Pastika, 7. Todd Updyke, 8. Steve Piper, 9. P.J. Megna, 10. Bill Slocum, 11. Dusty Fielden, 12. John Sweeney, 13. Denver Dodd

HEAT ONE - 1. Dennis Fetter, 2. P.J. Megna, 3. Larry Kayton, 4. Todd Updyke, 5. Carl Thomae, 6. Bill Slocum

HEAT TWO – 1. Patrick Bush, 2. Ruben Federico, 3. Dusty Fielden, 4. John Sweeney, 5. Steve Piper, 6. Denver Dodd, 7. Cris Pastika

MAIN EVENT – 1. Rod Jurado, 2. Kelly Germain, 3. Greg Jayko, 4. Mike McGullam, 5. George Sims, 6. Doug Paxson, 7. Alan Levin, 8. Becky Harrington, 9. Fred Stephens, 10. Chris Smith, 11. Mike Levin, 12. Dan Burdick, 13. Ken Huizenga, 14. Bill Harrington, 15. Davidson Wyatt, 16. Clayton Roberts, 17. Dustin Jones, 18. Mike Shipyor, 19. Gannon Pritchard

HEAT ONE – 1. Kelly Germain, 2. Mike Levin, 3. Mike Shipyor, 4. Doug Paxson, 5. Dan Burdick, 6. Davidson Wyatt

HEAT TWO – 1. Greg Jayko, 2. George Sims, 3. Alan Levin, 4. Becky Harrington, 5. Ken Huizenga, 6. Clayton Roberts

HEAT THREE – 1. Rod Jurado, 2. Dustin Jones, 3. Mike McGullam, 4. Chris Smith, 5, Fred Stephens, 6. Bill Harrington, 7. Gannon Pritchard

MAIN EVENT - 1. Lee Hatch, 2. John Burritt, 3. Troy Decuir, 4. Colin Dickinson, 5. Scott Rueschenberg, 6. Robert Sanders, 7. Jeff Rocheleau, 8. Andrew Lewis, 9. Donny Goodwin, 10. Alan Sanchez, 11. Dan Digiacomo, 12. Kevin Fedderson, 13. Bobby Sayers, 14. Robert Kroeker

TROPHY DASH – 1. Lee Hatch, 2. Troy Decuir, 3. John Burritt, 4. Colin Dickinson, 5. Scott Rueschenberg

FAST TIME – Andrew Lewis – 16.611 seconds

See Also .:

• Tucson Raceway Park Track Page

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