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Walker Gets His First Chico Win
by: Troy Hennig
(Chico, CA 7-25-08)...Tyler Walker earned his first career main event win at Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday night. Walker was about as excited as a driver could be in victory lane. He did his traditional back flip on the front stretch and was very emotional with his post race victory interview. "A few races ago I made the biggest mistake in the history of racing in turn one when I spun off the track with the lead," said Walker. "That night I thought 'man am I ever going to win here'. Walker not only won but he did it in exciting fashion. With five laps to go, Walker passed Sammy Swindell for the lead in turn one. Walker held his line and led the final five laps to earn his fifth King of California main event of the year. Infield reporter Gary Thomas asked Walker about the next night's finale and the point battle between himself and Jonathan Allard. "We are going to approach like we have all year and just go out there and win the race," said Walker. Unofficially, Allard holds a 20-point lead going into the Saturday night finale. Walker, driving the NMI Industrial Contractors #24, grabbed $4,000 for the win. The extra money was supplied by Specialized Parts Planet / U-Pull & Save with locations in Chico, Stockton and Antelope.
Sammy Swindell held on to finish in the second spot. This weekend Swindell is driving the Tom Rolfe Trucking #10. Defending King of California Brent Kaeding finished third. Championship point leader Jonathan Allard finished in the sixth spot. A total of 39 King of California Golden State Series drivers competed during point race #21. Fast Time went to Allard, who blistered the track with an 11.452. Qualifying produced 24 drivers in the eleven-second bracket. Just two weeks ago when the King of California were at Chico only three drivers were in the eleven-second bracket.
The start of the 30-lap main event struggled from the get-go. Australian Danny Reidy's car stopped on the track. He was unable to restart so the first alternate from the B-main Greg DeCaires got the position. A series of yellow slowed the first few laps. Andy Gregg spun off turn two on the next start. Jason Statler slowed off turn four on the first lap. Statler restarted and a lap later was involved in a scary wreck. Andy Forsberg was running fourth on lap two when he hit a rut, spun around and came to a stop coming out of turn four. Most of the field came by and narrowly missed Forsberg. However, Statler was engaged in a battle with two other cars and must not have seen Forsberg. Statler tried to swerve at the last moment but was not able to do so. Heavy contact ensued and Statler flipped upside down. It took awhile for Statler to get out of the cockpit and he limped off to the pit area. Both cars were done for the night.
Tim Kaeding had an eventful night. On lap two he parked the #83jr in turn two. This would set up an unbelievable charge to the front. Kaeding was on a mission and brought the crowd to their feet with electrifying passes. It was hard to watch both the battle for the lead and Kaeding's charge but it was all worth it in the end. Kaeding's charge brought him back to a fourth place finish.
Racing began to get some consecutive put together and it provided some good interesting moments. Swindell led while Sean Becker closed in. On lap 10 Becker moved to the outside of Swindell and seemed to take the lead. Yet, Swindell moved up a line and over-took Becker for the lead. The move seemed to shake up Becker and he lost momentum which allowed Walker to pass for the second spot. As things heated up Kevin Sharrah spun off turn two to bring out the caution.
The race resumed with Swindell holding off Walker while the two had an open track. As laps wound down the leaders moved into slower cars and the race intensified for the lead. On lap 24, Swindell got a little out of shape entering turn one. Walker took the opportunity to go low and the two raced side by side for the lead. Out of turn two it was all Walker. He stretched out the lead for the final five laps and crossed the line with a few car lengths advantage. Walker was visibly excited and jumped from the car to a thunderous applause from the packed house.
Stephen Allard passed his brother Jonathan for the lead of the B-main event and went on to win the 12-lap race. The event went non-stop with the Allard brothers up front. Kyle Hirst finished third while Christian Stover was fourth. Bud Kaeding ran in the fifth spot.
Mike Stalling led all six laps to win the C main event.
Chico boys won the first two heat races. Jason York led all 10-laps to win the first heat. Kevin Sharrah dominated the second heat race. Rookie driver Colby Copeland won the third heat and Sacramento masher Mike Henry won heat four.
Sammy Swindell won the six-lap dash that earned him the right to start from the pole position on the main event.
Full results can be found at www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com
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