8/28/2015
Silver Dollar Speedway
Allard Wins Again; Becker Wraps up Fifth Championship
CHICO, CA (8-28-15) - The Chuck Patterson Dodge point championship season came to a close on Friday night and the fans were treated to four incredible main events. Chico�s Jonathan Allard picked up his seventh win at Silver Dollar Speedway driving the famed Lamar #3c. Sean Becker finished in the third spot but it was good enough to solidify his fifth career sprint car driving championship at his home track and his fourth in a row. However, as Allard crossed the finish line first, it gave the sprint car owner championship to the Lamar family. The Lamar family used two substitute drivers while Allard was away in New Zealand. Tyler Walker was a force all night in the main event and officially led lap number 20. Yet, Allard drove back around him on the ensuing lap and held on for the win.
The win for Allard was emotional. Tonight was the third annual Tyler Wolf memorial. As Allard climbed out of his car and pointed to the sky. He later stated that he was talking to not only his brother Stephen, but also Wolf. Both Stephen Allard and Wolf were champions of the speedway and each are sorely missed. Additional money was collected from drivers and fans for the sprint car drivers in tribute to Wolf. A follow up release will document those participating sponsors.
Andy Forsberg earned his 33rd career fast time award at Chico with a blistering 11.375. He also earned a $200 bonus. Allard won the first heat race. The friends and family members of Wolf who were in attendance tonight got a boost when Keith Bloom Jr. drove Tyler�s car to a win in the second heat race. The David Tarter Rookie of the Year award winner Chase Majdic won the third heat race. A.R.T Enterprises and RCM Designs contributed money and a gift certificate to the heat race winners.
The street stock championship wasn�t decided until lap 16 when Clinton Earl exited to the pit area under green. This allowed Eddie Hammett to wrap up his first championship. The battle between those two drivers was as good as it gets. For those 16 laps, the championship changed hands six different times. It was about as exciting of a final race we have seen at Chico. Once the championship was decided it was time to focus on the win. Phillip Shelby had been the leader and was doing a great job. On the final lap Chris Warner decided it was go time. Warner drove around the top of the track on consecutive laps to build up enough momentum and pass Shelby coming out of turn four and grab the win. It was an electrifying finish. With the win, Warner, has now won the Pepsi night trophy two years in a row. Earl and Shelby each picked up the heat race wins.
Duane Cleveland did everything he could do to try and beat Ryan McDaniel for his third consecutive championship and fourth overall. Cleveland came into the trailing McDaniel by five points. Cleveland went on to win the eight lap heat race and backed that up with the 20-lap main event win. However, McDaniel shadowed him all night and was crowned the Silver Dollar Speedway IMCA dirt modified champion. It was McDaniel�s third title at Chico. Two weeks prior, he won his third consecutive limited late model driving championship. �We kind of changed roles tonight,� said Cleveland. �Last year he won the Pepsi night and I was champion. It still feels good to win the race and now we are off to Iowa.�
Santa Rosa driver Terry Schank Jr. won his fifth career Pepsi night at Chico and his third track championship in the wingless division. Schank Jr. gave praise to his Joe Hunt Magnetos team. With tonight�s win, the team now has 11 total wins in 2015. Schank Jr. picked up his fifth win out of six starts this year at Chico. Tony Richards was the only driver this season to beat Schank Jr. Richards did a great job all season and secured second in points. Jake Morgan was a factor all night and drove up to a second place finish tonight. Cody Fendley won the first heat race and finished third in the main event.
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