THE AMERICAN STOCK CAR CHALLENGE SERIES 2006 SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

Source: Robert Rucker
Date: 12/18/2006

Dave Arnheiter, who won his first pole of the season with a fast lap of 1:04.221, led 12 cars to the green flag. But that was the last time Arnheiter would lead. Glowniak beat Arnheiter to the first turn on the outside. Manuel Gil del Real, who started third, showed his muscle and was able to out race Arnheiter to the turn on the inside.

Going three wide into turn one has became the norm at ASC races this season, and the results of this battle left Arnheiter spinning as the rest of the field tried to avoid his Monte Carlo. Mike Kasser made contact with Arnheiter's car that caused him to head to the garage for repairs.

Following two caution laps to check the track for debris, Glowniak got a gr eat jump on the restart and took a seven car-length lead as the rest of the field battled for position. Glowniak was then able to work through the Pro Truck traffic and increase his lead even more.

With the top seven cars all qualifying within a second of each other over the 1.51 mile PIR road-course, racing behind the leader was extremely equal. Mike Arnheiter was able to get around Gil del Real on lap nine to take over second place, and Belinda Endress and Drew Clark each moved up two spots during the race to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

Following Glowiak, who also posted two victories in 2005, across the finish line were: Mike Arnheiter, Gil del Real, Endress, Clark, Ed Ochylski, Kasser, Taylor Stinnett, Dave Arnheiter, and Scott Rueschenberg.

On Saturday evening the ASC celebrated their season at a dinner in the PIR media room. Ken Stinnett, who had clinched the season championship at the previous month's event, was honored for his 11 win season . Also, collecting awards were Endress, who finished second in the final point standings, and Gil del Real, who ranked third in the year-end standings.

On Sunday, the ASC offered a look into the future as they lined up and went head to head with the Pro Trucks in a non-points exhibition event. Gil del Real, whose fast qualifying lap of 1:04.600 placed him on the pole, brought the cars and trucks down for the green flag. However, the outside pole was again the place to start, as Endress passed Gil del Real on lap four and then went on to build an 18 second advantage over the rest of the field.

Endress was followed across the finish line by Glowniak, Ochylski, Gil del Real, Taylor Stinnett, Donn Cross, Ken Stinnett, Troy Lindstrom, Kasser, Timothy Wright, Dave Arnheiter, and Mike Arnheiter.

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