CARSON CITY, Nevada -- It was a cool, breezy evening at Champion Motor Speedway as Vital Signs presented the 'Les Schwab Screamin' S'CoolBus' season finale.
Along with the Screamin' S'CoolBus' rides during intermission, Jamin' Joe Wheeler had hoped to capture the closed course worlds speed record. But the attempt will have to wait for another time due to engine troubles that were discovered earlier in the afternoon.
"We couldnt generate the power needed to challenge the record, said Jamin Joe Wheeler. So we decided to not take a chance on detonating the engine. The Les Schwab Screamin' S'CoolBus" belongs to the kids tonight and we needed to make sure they get their thrill rides. Hopefully we can get things resolved in time to make another attempt before the end of the season."
However the parents and kids were just fine with Wheeler's last minute decision, as it took three full busloads to accomidate all the rides. The Charter Super LateModels returned to the 1/3-mile much to the delight of the fans in the stands. As CMS Webmaster Jack Ralph, gave the traditional command, "Gentlemen start your engines!" the fiber glassed warriors fired up their engines. After a few warm up laps they took the green and charged hard into turn one. The initial portion of the 25-lap main ran clean and green as the drivers tried to find the fastest line around the high-banked asphalt oval. #89 Henry Hodges Jr. held the lead from the pole position for twelve laps until #2 Randy Hedrick put a move on and took the lead on the outside.
With sixteen laps complete the red flag came out when #49 Jay Bradley blew his engine, quickly the CMS track crew got the track cleaned up and the green flew again with nine laps to go. Hodges stayed on Hedrick's bumper and #3 Chet 'Da Jet' Danburg stayed patiently in third waiting to see if the leaders would make a mistake and open the door for him.
However Hedrick was perfect for the remaining laps as he took the checkered flag and wheeled his Megabucks IGT car into the Longs Jewelers Winners Circle ahead of Hodges and Danburg in second and third respectfully. Hedrick also won the trophy dash and the heat race earlier in the evening. Danburg came in second in the heat race ahead of #35 Rich Lawlor. The Legends brought out another huge field and #4 Nick Parmelee took the trophy dash.
Heat race number one was won by #12 Jim Klopp, second went to Parmelee and #18 'Smilin' Jack Randall got third.
In heat race number two #54 Terry Madjeski took the win ahead of #8 Katie Crome and #0 David Winchel of Sebastopol, CA. Thirteen cars lined up for the thirty lap main and as the green flag fell Parmelee took the lead from the outside pole followed by pole sitter #74 Wayne Estes. An early caution on lap eight allowed the cars to bunch up behind Parmelee.
After going green again the leaders raced ahead and were lapping cars by lap fourteen. In traffic Estes tried and tried again to get around Parmelee while Klopp attempted to catch them both. At the checkered flag it was Parmelee holding off Estes for the win and Klopp taking third. #38 Chris Betz won the trophy dash for the Les Schwab Street Stocks. The heat race was won by #16 John White ahead of #7 Matt Collier and Betz held on for third. The 25-lap main was competitive from start to finish as cars and drivers kept their cool and put on a fantastic show.
White quickly took the lead from the outside pole position and #88 Rick Miller followed him into second. Miller pressured White for twenty-two laps and then got together with #17 Kris Keller to bring out a yellow.
White held on to first the rest of the way to the checkered flag and took the win; second place went to Betz and third to Collier. "The car was excellent tonight, it really was hooked up. White said later in the pits. The Blazin' Bandoleros showed the crowd some good clean racing action starting with #7 Brent Holman winning the trophy dash. The heat race win was taken by #97 Derek Holman and #83 Aaron Neumann, of came in second ahead of Brent Holman. The 10-lap main for the Bandoleros was a driving school demonstration put on by Neumann, a racing school graduate that afternoon, who came from the back of the pack to take the lead on lap four. Neumann led the rest of the way for the win and Derek Holman took second just ahead of Brent Holman.
"I've raced before just not any oval track, mainly drag racing," said the elated Neumann as he stood next to his car holding his Ponderosa Stamp and Engraving trophy. The ultra-crazed Queen Beez trophy dash win went to #6 Joi Coleman. The heat race win went to #711 Sandy Clark by a bumper over Coleman and #28 Whitney Haller taking third. The main was a 15-lap battle royal with Coleman charging into the lead at the start. On lap three Clark moved in to second past #8 Kim Miller and on lap eleven, she passed Coleman for the lead. Haller was gradually making her way toward the front but ran out of laps and settled for third. Clark held on to the lead to win in front of Coleman at the finish.
This was the second to last night of racing for the Queen Beez this season, but the announcement came that CMS is hoping to make this a permanent class next season. Earlier in the evening, the Ponderosa Stamp & Engraving kids bicycle races were won by Morgan Wright age 8, Mark Wright age 9 and in a 2-lap race 13 year old Mike Reynolds. Next weekend its Charter Media Championship Nite #1 presented by Coors Light featuring the season finale for the Western Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Bandoleros, and the Hustlin' Hornets. Fun Jumpers' Earnhardt Memorial Park will feature the Ponderosa Stamp & Engraving kids bicycle races, and the bounce house pavilion.
Showing at all five Thunder Theater locations will be the CITGO/MDA 250 ASA stockcars LIVE from the Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, IN.
The pits open @ 3pm, front gates open @ 5pm, and the show starts @ 7pm.
Adults are only $9.00, Seniors (55 and over) and Military (with photo ID) are $7.00, Teens (18 to13) are $5.00, Juniors (12 to 6) are $3.00 and Kids (5 & under) are free. Event parking is also free.
For more information, please call the CMS business office @ (775) 267-0505 or log on @ www.ChampionMotorSpeedway.com.
Cya @ Charter Media Championship Nite #1 presented by Coors Light this Saturday night!
