CARSON CITY, Nevada -- On a perfect evening for championship caliber auto racing, the final four CMS divisions on the 03 schedule were crowned. The fans in the stands were ready for the last night of high-speed action, as the historic Carson City facility wrapped up its 40th anniversary season.
Lead CMS score person Kim Walmer gave the infamous command, gentleman, start your engines as the lightning-fast Charter Super LateModel stockcars roared to life and began their parade laps around the high-banked, 1/3-mile asphalt oval. CMS track reporter Pete Watt then threw the final green flag of the season and the fight for the final 03 title was under way. #3 Chet 'Da Jet' Danburg, points leader, jumped in to an early lead in front of #89 Henry Hodges Jr. from the outside pole position. #2 Randy Hedrick was in third and being stalked by #17 C.J. Bawden for fourteen laps. On lap fifteen #11 Chris Baker blew a right front tire in front of the grandstands, scrapped the wall and went off the backside of turn one in to the dirt to bring out the yellow and bunch the field up. The green flew again and Danburg continued to lead followed by Hodges and Hedrick.
On lap twenty-two Bawden was able to put a move on Hedrick and took over third. Eight laps later Danburg put his car in the Longs Jewelers winners circle, and the championship, Hodges came in second and Bawden was third. "I'd like to thank my sponsors, the Horseshoe Club, Century 21, Daryl and Patty Page and Sierra Racing Products. said an elated Danburg after the race, "These are a great bunch of guys to race with!" The Les Schwab Street Stocks trophy dash went to points leader #17 Kris Keller. #81 Don Hill won the heat race followed by Keller and third went to #16 John White. In the 25 lap main #38 Chris 'Gabby' Betz lead ahead of White and Keller for seven laps. On lap eight Keller pulled off an amazing outside move to go by White and nearly passed Betz also. Betz and Keller raced side by side neither giving the other an inch; lap after lap the two exchanged the lead. On lap nineteen Keller finally took command of the lead and raced like a champion to the checkered flag. Betz held on for second and White picked up third. "Chris was awesome, gave me plenty of room to run up there. I tried to give him plenty of room on the bottom. I just couldn't believe it worked. Keller said about the race. " I never thought I was going to be champion this year. I'd like to thank Winkel Pontiac GMC, Levert Transmissions, Don's Golf Shop, Auto Marine Machine and Gomez Motors." Once again the Legends brought a huge field of racecars to CMS. The trophy dash went to #5 Jeff Kelley from Eden, UT. There were four heat races for the large field and heat one was won by #74 Wayne Estes with #55 Pat Appleby of Yontville, CA in second and #21 John Burritt in third.
Heat two went to #58 Rick Andrews followed by #6 Richard Malugani in second and #12 Jim Klopp in third. Heat three was won by #1 Becky Schwinn of Ogden, UT and second went to #111 Billy Brown and in third was #19 Robert Humphreys. Heat four went to #54 Terry Madjeski ahead of #98 Micheal Hoffman of Freemont, CA and third was #8 Katie Crome. The Legend division has consistently provided the strongest fields and best competition, all season long, So it was only fitting that the Legends were selected to race 40 laps in honor of the 40th anniversary at CMS.
Burritt led the 21 car field into turn one followed by Estes and points leader #4 Nick Parmelee. On lap nine race leader Burritt lapped the first car while Estes and Parmelee stayed in tow just behind.
On lap fifteen Parmelee was able to get around Estes and move in to second in traffic. Burritt's lead was the length of a straightaway with ten to go and Parmelee couldn't catch him. At the checkered flag it was Burritt wining ahead of second place Parmelee followed by Estes in third. Parmelee went to the middle of the track and burned some 2003 championship donuts in to the track for the fans. In the pits after the race Parmelee said, "I went in to the main knowing I had the championship so I just wanted to end the season with a good finish.". The ultra crazed Queen Beez were also in action Saturday night and #28 Whitney Haller took the trophy dash. The Heat race winner was #711 Sandy Clark ahead of Haller in second and third went to #6 Joi Coleman, points leader. The 12-lap main was lead by Coleman ahead of Haller at the start. Half way through the race Coleman was still holding off charges by Haller and Clark held on to third. Coming to the final checkered flag in the Queen Beez division, season champion Coleman took the win. Haller took second in the race and in points followed by Clark in third place. A special ladies (only) Legends race was also featured tonight, with eight regular and substitute female drivers taking the wheel for 15 laps around the historic high banks. In the end #4 Rebecca Parmelee, Hustlin' Hornets Champion, won the race ahead of #55 Julie Appleby and #1 Becky Schwinn. Earlier in the evening, Jamin Joe Wheeler made his final appearance at CMS and gave all the kids in attendance thrill rides around the oval and threw the figure 8 course, in the popular Les Schwab Screamin SCoolBus.
The Ponderosa Stamp & Engraving kids bicycle races were won by Curtis Devore, John Miller and in a 2-lap race Alex Gadell. All the participants received trophies from Ponderosa Stamp and Engraving to celebrate the end of the 2003 season. The official host hotel @ CMS, the Plaza Hotel and General Manager Mike Millard stepped up to the pump and provided back-to-school backpacks for all the CMS Kids Klub members. At the CMS 2003 awards banquet, (tentatively set for November 7 at the Carson Nugget) all eight divisional CMS champions will receive $1500 championship rings courtesy of Hal and Jan Long, owners of Longs Jewelers in Carson City.
During intermission, General Manager Jeb Onweiler and Race Director Robert Kline presented the entire CMS staff with plaques of appreciation in the Longs Jewelers winners circle.
The following CMS staff members were honored for their hard work and dedication in 2003.
1 - Crystal Larson Kids Klub
2 - Jamie Gormon Kids Klub
3 - Brenda Kline Kids Klub
4 - Chris Slabaugh Kids Klub Director
5 - Carleen Kline Special Events Coordinator
6 - Rhonda Costa-Landers Special Events Coordinator
7 - Salvador Davalos Groundskeeper
8 - Jim Schneider Plant Manager
9 - Eddy Murders Photographer
10 - Jack Ralph Webmaster
11 - Deidra Ritter Cashier
12 - Melody Price Cashier
13 - Jason Straw Security
14 - Robert Holbrook Security
15 - Jason Holmes Security
16 - Jim Lawrence Infield
17 - Ken Newberry Sr. Infield
18 - Warren Engine Company Fire & Rescue
19 - Joy Evans Medical Team
20 - Tracy Casias Pace Car
21 - Bob Kellogg Push Truck & Lineups
22 - Meladie Lawrence Pit Steward
23 - Michelle Hicks-Moses Scoreboard
24 - Rachel Patrin Scoring
25 - Nicolette Kondor Souvenirs & Scoring
26 - Kimberly Walmer Lead Scorekeeper
27 - Jeff Moses Track Announcer
28 - Dawn Lee Office Manager
29 - Robert Parkerson Tech Inspector
30 - Mel Sweeny Flagman
31 - Greg Hein Competition Director
Kline and Onweiler also received awards and offered the following comments.
I really appreciate all the fans and drivers who supported our program this year, said Race Director Robert Kline.
General Manager Jeb Onweiler, added, I want to thank our staff for their hard work and diligence this season. Their commitment to excellence raised the bar at CMS and enabled the speedway to enjoy one of the best seasons in recent memory. I hope our loyal racers, fans and sponsors will continue to support the speedway in 2004 and beyond. Last, but certainly least, I want to thank Robert Kline. He did a fantastic job this season and is responsible for much of our success.
On behalf of the entire CMS staff, thanks for making our 40th anniversary season very special. Cya @ the 2004 CMS season opener!
