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Ryan McDaniel Tops Field at Silver Cup

CHICO, CA (3-9-13) - Marysville modified champion Ryan McDaniel won the exciting finale to the annual Silver Cup Race of Champions Saturday night at Silver Dollar Speedway. The three-time track champion drove the main event like the pro that he is. "It's nice to start off the year with a big win," said McDaniel. Tonight's race was the first point show for the newly formed Nor-Cal Dirt Modified Challenge. Chico bookends the eight race tour. The tours final race is at Chico on September 28th. McDaniel won the $1,000 payday as he beat his friend and fellow fierce competitor Kellen Chadwick.

Chris Nieman led the 20 car starting field to the green flag. Nieman is a young driver from Quincy. On the following lap Nick DeCarlo took the top spot. DeCarlo won last night's feature event and soon it looked like he was going to make it two for two. The driver moving up through the field was Richard Papenhausen. The former two-time champion of Silver Dollar knows this track like the back of his hand. Papenhausen held the second spot and tried to reel in DeCarlo. Yet, the driver starting to emerge as the favorite was Ryan McDaniel. He started in the tenth spot but on lap 11 he was fourth. Two laps later he made the move of the race when he passed Nieman and Papenhausen. A yellow flag was needed on lap 13. During the yellow flag the race leader, DeCarlo, stopped in turn three. He communicated with a track official that something in the fuel pump might of broke.

McDaniel was the new leader. Papenhausen was in the runner up spot but with four laps to go Chadwick caught and then passed Papenhausen. Chadwick was on a rail tonight and with more laps might have caught McDaniel for a chance to battle for the lead. McDaniel led the final few laps with comfort and won in front of the home town fans. Chadwick ran second and Papenhausen was third. Hard charger of the night was Kyle Casson who started 15th and finished fourth. Great drive by Casson. Dave Duste Jr. did almost as well as Casson. He started 13th and finished fifth.

Ryan McDaniel won the B main event. Oreste Gonella finished second and transferred to the main event with Mitch Murphy and Brian Azevedo.

Chadwick was the fastest in qualifying at 16.227. Heat races were won by Chadwick, Casson, Duste Jr., and Jesse Bailey. A total of 29 drivers signed into the pits on Saturday night.

Results can be found at www.silverdollarspeedway.com and www.mylaps.com

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