9/29/2012
Silver Dollar Speedway
Becker Wins Classic Final Race of 2012
It was an amazing charge to the front by Kaeding. He started 23rd in the main event and methodically picked his way through the field. Kaeding did complete the unthinkable when he officially led the race on lap 35. But he was pinched behind a slower car and gave the lead back to Becker. "For the second night in a-row lapped traffic cost us the win," said Kaeding.
Third place finishing Jonathan Allard was a little down on him-self in victory lane. "I should of jumped up to the top a lot earlier," said Allard. "Under the red Ashley kept trying to fire me up and I just am disappointed that I feel like I let my team down." To Allard's credit he never strayed from the top three all night. In fact, from lap 24 to 32, Allard was in the second spot.
Rico Abreu once again provided a ton of excitement to the race. Abreu started seventh but by lap three he was in the second spot. Eleven laps later, Abreu took the lead. The crowd responds well to him and they were excited to see him lead the race. Abreu led the race until lap 19. He continued to battle with Becker, Allard and Kaeding until lap 28 when Abreu rode up over Craig Swim's right rear tire. Abreu flipped off of turn three and his night came to an unfortunate end.
Shane Golobic started on the front row with Becker and while he did drift back a bit he should also be commended for holding his own and finishing in the fourth spot. Golobic is a talented kid who will look to win the Ocean Speedway Championship soon. The veteran Greg DeCaires continues to compete with the best in the 360 sprints. DeCaires had a solid weekend and finished in the fifth spot. Another veteran of our sport Jimmy Trulli held off some hard chargers to finish sixth. Andy Forsberg came from the rear of the field to finish seventh. Forsberg officially passed 12 cars. However, he was done two better by Kyle Hirst. Twenty-third starting Hirst charged his way to a ninth place finish. Hirst improved 14 spots during the 40-lap race. Stephan Allard was subbing for Cody Lamar and brought the Tri-C #3c home to an eighth place finish. Allard also set the quickest lap of the night by turning a 12.242. Mason Moore rounded out the top ten.
Garen Linder won the 12-lap B main event. Finishing behind Linder and transferring to the main event was Justyn Cox, Mike Monahan and Matt Peterson. Carson Macedo won the ten lap C Main event. He was followed by Dean Freitas at the stripe. Both drivers continued to the back of the B main.
Jonathan Allard, Mason Moore, Koen Shaw and Rico Abreu were all winners during the 10-lap heat races.
Rowdy McClenon won a shortened wingless spec sprint main event. The race was originally scheduled for 20-laps, but after 33-minutes, four yellows, one red flag, two drivers kicked off the track for unsportsmanlike conduct, a driver penalized for unsafe driving through the infield the officials decided they had seen enough. During a red flag on lap 14, the checkered was waived and the race was over. Even with the controversial ending it shouldn't over shadow the drive and the year McClenon had. He has won the track championship and now the Fall Nationals title. "It's been an amazing year and I have to thank my dad a ton," said McClenon. The most disappointed with the early finish had to be Terry Schank Jr. He had shadowed McClenon for most of the race and seemed to be seizing him up for a late race pass. Gary Nelson Jr. finished in the third spot. Nelson led the race for the first three laps. Ninth starting Jeremy Hawes finished in the fourth spot. Cameron Bartlett rounded out the top five. Nelson Jr, Ron LaPlant and Justin Funkhouser each won heat races. Terry Schank Jr. was the quickest in qualifying.