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Schank Scores First Petaluma WSS Win
by Debbie Shipherd
Wingless Spec Sprints - Petaluma, CA
April 4, 2009 --- Santa Rosa’s Terry Schank won the first Petaluma Wingless Spec Sprint feature of the 2009 season on Saturday, April 4. Schank lucked out when a 6 invert pill was drawn for the lineup, starting him on the pole for the 25 lap main event on the 3/8 mile track. Hunt Magnetos’ Schank ran a smooth line and never faltered, with young Devon Ostheimer challenging for the second spot followed by Marcus Hardina, Johnson Custom Machine’s Brandon Davis, and Sebtasapol’s Geoff Ensign in the top five.
A solid, competitive field of nineteen Wingless Spec Sprints showed for the first of Petaluma’s eleven point races for this class. Many cars sported shiny new paint jobs, some drivers were in new cars, and it was great to see old familiar faces as well as meet new people. We welcomed five new drivers this evening to the fast growing class: Frank Addiego from Redwood City, Joe Buomont from Concord, Gary Deemer of Belmont driving his S&J Machine sponsored car, Zak Lynskey of Fairfield, and Santa Rosa’s Jason Woodruff. For the sake of safety, all of the new drivers sported rookie flags and started at the back of the field for all of their races. Kudos goes to Petaluma’s officials for putting safety first.
The Wingless Spec Sprints qualified, and as per Civil War style rules, the top four finishers of each heat race got their times back for the feature event. Fast qualifier for the night was Geoff Ensign with a 15.690 lap time.
Three six lap heat races ran, with Billy Aton winning the first, going flag to flag, with Jason McIntosh, Ensign and Jack Clark in the top four spots. Petaluma’s 2008 Rookie of the Year Marcus Hardina won heat two, in a car just rebuilt during the week after being destroyed last weekend. He was chased to the checkers by Devon Ostheimer, Dave Press and Arvo Backholm. Terry Schank, Jr. took the heat three win followed by Ryan Bernal, Santa Rosa’s Dustin Baxter and Lucas Nerlove.
Schank and Backholm started in row one for the feature event. Schank powered into the lead at the green with Aton and Press on his tail. A rookie spin slowed the action with the first of several yellows for spin outs. Schank again led but Aton slipped into the marbles in turn four and Backholm and McIntosh moved into the second and third spots. Bernal who had been running in fifth pitted with a broken brake line. A turn one incident halted the action as Baxter unfortunately flipped over Sharp, but both drivers were OK. By the halfway point Schank held the lead with Aton, Ostheimer, Hardina and Davis charging hard behind him. At the lap twenty five checkers, it was Schank earning the win with Ostheimer, Hardina, Davis and Ensign in the top five.
Thanks to Petaluma’s officials for their outstanding hospitality and to our Wingless Spec Sprint teams for always making it fun! Petaluma Speedway's next race for the WSS is Saturday, April 25. Photos are posted on http://www.specsprint.com/ . Drive safe, have fun and take care.
Summary:
Fast Qualifier: Geoff Ensign 15.690
Heat 1: Aton, McIntosh, Ensign, Clark, Sharp, Deemer
Heat 2: Hardina, Ostheimer, Press, Backholm, Lynskey, Woodruff
Heat 3: Schank, Bernal, Baxter, Nerlove, Addiego, Davis
Main: Schank, Ostheimer, Hardina, Davis, Ensign, Aton, Press, Clark, Lynskey, Addiego, Backholm, McIntosh, Deemer, Bernal, Nerlove, Sharp, Baxter, Boumont, Woodruff
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