SRL ROCKS CHAMPION MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Source: Onweiller/Rhonda Costa-Landers, Appeal Staff Write
Date: 08/03/2003

However it wasn't an earthquake hitting Carson City, but the lean-mean racing machines of the Supermodified Racing League invading Champion Motor Speedway on a cool overcast Saturday night.

It was "Les Schwab Nite" presented by "Coors Light" and the fans in the stands were not disappointed with the in-house thunder.

The SLR winged warriors supply the need for speed, noise, horsepower and pure adrenaline rush like no other racecar can. And the full house of racefans made it crystal clear they were pleased with the show that took place on the 1/3 mile, high-banked asphalt oval.

Unfortunately, local hero Dale Lamborn was out just as the main event was getting started. After getting the green flag to warm up the engines and tires, a couple of cars checked up early going into turn one, causing Lamborn to run into the back of Darrin Rusconi. The end result was a lost front wing, which could have been repaired and Lamborn would have returned to the race, but an oil filter also fell victim to the incident as it had been torn off the line.

"We had another wing but didn't have another filter," Lamborn said. "Who'd figure you'd lose one of those." Disappointed as Lamborn recorded third-fast qualifying time.

The inversion number for the main event was 6, meaning the top-six qualifiers would be the only cars inverted at the front of the field. Current points leader and defending champion Lonnie Adamson was fast qualifier and found himself in the sixth position. The local car S&S Motorsports was fourth fast qualifier and started inside row 2.

On lap 2, Mike Ford and Troy Regier got together, putting Ford into the spin cycle. Officials deemed Regier was at fault, so both cars where placed at the rear of the field. During the caution, Jerry Allec Jr. and Amy Barnes both pitted, both would later return for a few more laps. Willie Northammer also was pushed to the pits, and stayed there.

On the restart the top five cars were Kenny Hamilton in first, teammate Adamson, Bob Bigioni, Jim Birges and Jeff Russell. Adamson grabbed the lead with an outside pass on Hamilton on lap 17, Bigioni followed for the second spot putting Hamilton back to third. A caution came out on lap 18 for Russell for a solo spin. Another caution was called on lap 20 as Ford made a solo spin in turn 1-2, but was then center-punched by Jim Tartaglia. Both drivers were OK and both cars were towed to the pits.

On the restart, the top-five were: Adamson, Hamilton, Bigioni, Birges and Regier, who had quickly worked his way back after a last-place start. Adamson drove like someone lit a fire under his derriere and was flying like a rocket ship. He was untouchable and simply flew to the checkered flag for yet another main event win. Hamilton finished in the second spot, Bigioni was third, Regier finished fourth and Birges filled in at fifth.

Rounding out the field were: Rusconi, A.J. Russell, Jeff Russell, Bobby Dalton, Ford, Tartaglia, Rob Carlotto, Allec, Barnes, Northammer and Lamborn.

"Early in the race I was driving too hard," Adamson said. "Then I let up in the turns and it was a lot easier. At the first of the race I just followed by teammate, Kenny, then I changed lines. I changed my line just a little bit because at this track you can race more than one groove. The resealing of the surface made a difference."

In the first of two, 8-lap heat races, Jeff Russell recorded a win with Regier finishing second and Adamson third. On the warm up laps, Carlotto over revved his engine and headed into the dirt off turn 1-2. The start of the second heat was just a little bit more intense.

The cars of Cameron and Northammer got together coming out of turn 4 on the start. Northammer was on the inside, Cameron the high line. After bumping in 4, the cars made contact again on the front stretch with Cameron running over the right side of Northammer, flipping onto its roof, hitting the wall hard going into turn 1, then up righting itself.

A large field of debris was strewn over the section of track making the hit look even worse. Fortunately, Cameron got out of the car under his own power and told officials and signaled to the fans he was OK. Cameron gestured to Northammer questioning him with raised arms for the contact, and then walked to the pits. Rusconi won the second heat with Kenny Hamilton finishing second Lamborn third.

Also racing Saturday was the Limited Late Model division. Several cars could have won the main event but this would be Stuart Moon's night to shine. Moon started off by setting fast time. The trophy dash win went to Joel Worley and the heat race top-3 was Al Goss, Virgil Miller and Worley.

Racing officials chose not to invert the main event-starting lineup, so Moon was on the pole. It didn't matter -- Moon was hot. While Moon took the lead, Worley and Miller were mixing it up for the second position while Goss moved into the fourth position directly behind them. A caution came out on lap 8 when Miller and Danburg got together coming out of turn 4, with Miller spinning to the infield.

At the restart, Moon showed the way in front with Worley in second and Danburg third. At the finished, Moon came away with his first main event win in five years followed by Worley in second and Danburg third. Rounding out the field were: Goss, Miller, John Durney, Bob Tackett and Paul Guinn.

"The car was working really good tonight, it was a rocket ship," Moon said. "I drove better on the main than the heat race when my door flew off," he added with a laugh. A rivet popped out causing the passenger door to lift off the frame.

"I drove as hard and as fast as I could. I've owe this to the team and sponsors -- the Moons, the Parkersons, the Wilkersons and Sierra Racing Products."

The Legends division was no exception and provided tons of excitement. Denny Hadler Jr. was the winner of Saturday's heated battle.

Gary Hale was the leader early in the race, but was soon passed by Bill Brown with Hadler quickly moving from ninth to third in two laps. Hadler took over the lead from Brown on lap 5 with Jim Klopp working his way up to second and Brown moving back one position to third.

A caution was shown on lap 7 for Katie Crome as she spun in turn 3. At the restart it was Hadler in the lead, Klopp second, Jack Randall third, Nick Parmelee in fourth and Wayne Estes fifth. Parmelee put himself in second spot by passing Klopp on the outside as they moved through turn 4.

Hadler was doing everything he could to keep his ill-handling car on a good line for the remainder of the 30-lap feature. Parmelee tried to pass on the inside, then outside, but Hadler was determined to hold on and not see repeat of their last main event. Hadler came up on Hale on lap 20, in turn 1. Hale was a slower car in the field and about to be lapped when Hadler bumped the rear of Hale's car, causing Hale to spin.

The race restarted with Hadler the eventual winner, Parmelee finished second and Estes third. Rounding out the field were: Klopp, Randall, Brown, Bob Cose, Terry Madjeski, Hale, Crome, Jennifer Hodges and Charlene Baron.

Klopp, also looking fast on the night, was the winner of the trophy dash. Madjeski was the winner of the first heat race over Hale in second and Crome, making a good run, in third. Randall picked up the win in the second heat with Parmelee finishing second and Estes third.

In the Les Schwab Street Stocks, John White started the evening with the trophy dash win in his Ford Torino. Matt Collier won the heat race with Chris Betz, also having a fast night finishing second and White third.

The main event was clean and green with close finishes in the top 5. Kris Keller walked away with another main event win, followed by Betz in second and Rick Miller third. Rounding out the field was: Collier, White, Marc Pace and Steve Montelatici.

The Bandoleros were also on the schedule. Bobby Hodges picked up yet another main event win for the books followed by Brent Holman in the second spot and Jennifer Hodges finishing third.

Rounding out the field was: Derek Holman and Andy McCool. McCool also won the trophy dash. Bobby Hodges won the heat race with McCool finishing second and Derek Holman third.

The action began with the Hustlin' Hornets class. Paul Coleman started the night with the trophy dash win. Rick Garmann brought out a Mazda RX7 for the first time and won the heat race with Cory Hauck finishing second and Coleman taking third.

The main event was a sight in itself. Drivers go three wide into turns, then single file on the front stretch. Then two-wide into the turns and side-by-side on the backstretch, only to go three-wide again into turn 3. The 4 cylinder racers always provide exciting and unpredictable racing.

After several swaps for the lead, Hauck took over the lead on lap 11 of the 15-lap race and went on to win with Coleman finishing second and Garmann third. Rounding out the field was: Rebecca Parmelee, Charles Beatty, Jason Bilek, Tim Maloney, Harris Heller and Steve Blacker.

"This class is getting better every week and I'm getting better every week," Hauck said in just his fourth start. "I just kind of go with it and wait for guys in front of me to make a mistake. This is the most competitive class and a lot of fun."

The winners of the Ponderosa Stamp and Engraving bicycle races were Danny Manning, 6, and Zane Green, 11. Each winner received a trophy; each participant received a ribbon. All children ages 5-12 are welcome to participate each week. The races take place at 6:30 while the driver's meeting is being held in the pits.

Next on the CMS schedule of events is the final CMS round of the "Sierra Mountain SuperSeries" presented by the "Plaza Hotel and 76 Racing Fuel."

The special stockcar thrill show features the Charter Super LateModels taking on the All American Speedway Pro Stocks from Roseville, CA for 125 lightning-fast laps.

Also in action; Limited Late Models, Legends, Les Schwab Street Stocks, Queen Bees, and the Ponderosa Stamp and Engraving bicycle races. The first 500 fans get a free limited-edition 76 Racing antenna ball.

Adults are $11.00 / Seniors and Military are $9.00 / Teens 18 to13 are $6.00 / Juniors 12 to 6 are $4.00 / Kids 5 & under are free) along with event parking.

All five "Thunder Theater" locations will present the USAC Silver Crown series from Indianapolis Raceway Park. The pits open @ 2PM, front gates open @ 5PM, and the show starts @ 7PM.

For more information, please call the CMS business office @ (775) 267-0505 or log on @ www.ChampionMotorSpeedway.com.

Cya @ the "Sierra Mountain SuperSeries" CMS finale this Saturday night!

See Also .:

• Champion Motor Speedway - Closed Track Page

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