CHOWCHILLA, California -- Bobby Hogge, IV grabbed the lead eight laps into the Central Valley Late Model Challenge for the Carquest Western Xtreme DirtCar Series and fended off several challenges to win the race at Chowchilla Speedway.
The Carquest Western Xtreme DirtCar Series races exclusively on Goodyear’s X-400 tread compound and the tires performed flawlessly on the 1/3-mile dirt oval.
“On this style of track, you have to get through the turns and drag race down the straights,” said Eric Jacobson. “I think the bigger blocks (on the Goodyear tread pattern) really help.” Jacobson started seventh and finished third.
Richard Papenhausen started on the pole and led the first eight laps before Hogge got by to take the lead. Hogge was challenged several times, but stayed in front the rest of the way. Devin Crockett, who started 10th, was second. Jacobsen was third, followed by Rich Denman and Dana Nelson. The race attracted 24 entries.
Mike Johnson, winner of the last Carquest series race at Chowchilla in 2001, was the fastest qualifier. He stopped the clocks at 16.896 seconds.
The next race for the Carquest Western Xtreme DirtCar Series will be May 15 at Antioch Speedway in Antioch, Calif.
