STANFORD FOUR IN A ROW AT MERCED

Source: Don Martin II
Date: 08/12/2003

A good field of 15 IMCA Modifieds competed, and two six lap heat races were run to set the Main Event lineup. Bill Saltzman won the first heat ahead of Garrett Steitz, while R. Stone won the second heat ahead of Keith Van Houten. Saltzman and Van Houten shared the front row of the feature, while Stanford and Stone were in the third row. Saltzman raced into the early lead, but Stanford and Stone quickly moved in to make this a three car battle up front. Stanford and Stone both raced past Saltzman, but it was Stanford impressing with the victory. Stone settled for second with Saltzman third. Steitz protected his rookie lead and moved into third in overall points with a fourth place finish as Van Houten rounded out the top five. Bob Williamson returned for a sixth place finish ahead of Johnnie Baptista, Mike Gillard, Jimmy Lust and Joe Gonella Jr., in his annoual start. With Stone holding a 93 point lead, the battle is for second. Saltzman holds down second by just six points ahead of Steitz.

For Clarke, the season has been filled with one bad break after another, including four blown motors and a rollover. Clarke started back in fifth with point leader Tim Ragsdale last. Buddy Thatcher and Frank Machado Jr. shared the front row as Ricky Thatcher and Williams shared the second row. However, Williams quickly shot into the lead in sarch of his second straight win. R. Thatcher was in second in a battle with Phillip Lust until Lust's smoking car was black flagged midway through the race. Clarke took up pursuit of R. Thatcher, making a late pass for second. Williams drove to the apparent win, but his car came up light at the scales, giving Clarke a much needed victory. Ragsdale also made a late move into second as R. Thatcher settled for third ahead of Jack Chapman Jr. and Randy Brewer. Ragsdale maintains an 113 point advantage over Brewer, while Lust is 33 points behind Brewer.

In Hobby Stock action, point leader Andrew Krumm started back in seventh, while Weaver lined up sixth. Rookies Cliff Daniels and Raul Rodriguez Sr. shared the front row. In a repeat of last week's performance, the rapidly improving Rodriguez set the early pace, but Weaver and Krumm worked their way to the front of the pack. The flying duo would both pass Rodriguez, but Weaver would prevail at the checkered flag ahead of Krumm. Rodriguez settled for third ahead of Andy Welch and Mike Stockton. With a 177 point lead right now, Krumm appears to have the championship well in hand. Weaver now leads Welch by 16 points in the battle for second.

Freitas and Billy Mattos, in his season debut, shared the third row of the California Sportsman Main Event. Tim Leidich and Jason Belton had the front row, but third starter Robb Schropp soon found himself in the lead. However, Freitas displayed that smooth driving style that has led to eight feature wins by grabbing the lead from Schropp. Freaits would go on to victory, while Schropp held off Mattos for second. Leidich and Gary Tucker rounded out the top five. Freitas holds an 86 point lead in the point battle, while Schropp leads Tucker by 26 points in the race for second.

In Pure Stock action, Ford started on the pole, but third starter Dan Holcomb would get by for the lead. Holcomb looked like a winner until he cut a tire, handing the lead to Ford. Ford went on to score the victory ahead of "Rookie Of The Year" hopeful Shane Hausmann. Fourth starter Aaron Widick raced past Hausmann for second, but there was no stopping the flying Ford. Widick settled for second ahead of Hausmann, Donald Davis and Dan Holcomb. Holcomb leads Widick by 32 points and Ford by 42 in the championship battle.

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