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NCMA Sprints
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
September 13, 2008
By Sharyn Bragg
FIRST TIME WAS THE CHARM FOR KOBZA
Jerry Kobza has been a member of NCMA Sprints for most of the 2008 season, but tonight was the first race he has been able to make due to work constraints. It didn’t seem to matter as he ended it right at the head of the line for the win.
NCMA Sprints were invited to finish the All American Vintage Classic III weekend of racing with a 35 lap main event. How appropriate as this is NCMA’s 20th anniversary season. NCMA started out appearing as super modifieds that were run at West Capital and San Jose Speedways, eventually evolving into the non-wing 360, two barrel carb sprints of today.
Qualifying was held with Pavement Points’ leader, David Goodwill of Napa, setting fast time. Folsom’s Kobza gave the crowd a clue when he was second quick. Gary Koster of Woodland, was third fast; Manteca’s Rookie Sprinter, David Burchett was fourth and the Hot Rod from Morgan Hill, Rob Hammond rounded out the top five.
Two heats were held, Pat Ariaz, of Manteca took the checkers after grabbing the lead and working hard at it and Jeff Burrows took the second heat with total ease!
A Trophy Dash was held and the Kaos Motorsports #77B piloted by Burchett won his first ever Dash.
Modesto’s Ed Amador and Burt Siverling of Concord brought the sprinters around to the green. E. Amador took the lead from the start looking strong and ready to roll. Ariaz who started right behind Amador tucked down under Siverling and took second. By the next go-round Ariaz grabbed the lead and E. Amador and Burrows were in hot pursuit. Meanwhile in the back of the pack Kobza was making his moves. After starting in tenth, Kobza had made it to third in 1/3 of the race. A few more laps, and he was past Burrows for second. E. Amador headed for the infield with an unknown vibration, and Burrows had a bolt let loose and made it off the track with quite a sparks show. Neither incident brought out the caution flag, and the race just kept on. With just a few laps to go, Ariaz made the bobble that let Kobza get past him and put him in the lead. Ariaz retained second spot. Koster finished third after being out of the seat for awhile. Goodwill took fourth, and Rookie, Burchett rounded out the top five. Special kudos to Denny Burrell who also has been unable to make a show this year because of work. A 35 lap main event run in a little over eight minutes made for some great excitement for the fans and a good quick race for the drivers. Another pleasure of the racers was having long time track announcer Kenny Takauchi who spent the whole weekend announcing the vintage races, doing an excellent job of calling the sprint race.
All American Speedway made a great event even greater with their professionalism and care for fans, racers and crews. Perfect name for an all American pastime.
NCMA Sprints will return to the pavement of Altamont Raceway Park next Saturday afternoon and the race season is beginning to wind down and the points race heats up even more!
Summary:
Qualifying: Goodwill, Kobza, Koster, Ariaz, Burchett, Hammond, Burrows, S. Amador, Burrell, Siverling, E. Amador. Bill Hendricks.
Heat I: Ariaz, Goodwill, Koster, Hammond, S. Amador, E. Amador.
Heat II: Burrows, Kobza, Burrell, Siverling, Burchett, Hendricks.
Dash: Burchett, Kobza, Goodwill, Hammond
Main: Kobza, Ariaz, Koster, Goodwill, Burchett, Hammond, Burrell, S. Amador, Siverling, Burrows, Hendricks, E. Amador.
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