Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

Wingless Spec Sprints
Petaluma, CA
June 14, 2008
By Debbie Shipherd

Hanestad Scores Fifth Victory at Petaluma

Veteran driver Darrell Hanestad of Clayton won the 25 lap feature at Petaluma’s sixth Spec Sprint race of the season, his fifth at Petaluma to date. Hanestad was pursued closely by Santa Rosa’s Jason McIntosh and Oakley’s Bob Newberry in an action filled night of racing.

A healthy field of fifteen Wingless Spec Sprints made the tow to Petaluma’s fast 1/3 mile track, all of them stout competitors and an extremely friendly and sportsmanlike group. As this was our first race at Petaluma this season, we were delighted with the warm welcome we received from promoter Jim Soares, his outstanding staff and officials, and our fellow racers.

Two eight lap heat races ran for the Spec Sprints, with the lineup determined by a pill draw. Heat one began with Epic Images’ rookie driver Marcus Hardina and S & J Machine’s Rick Sharp on the front row. Hardina hammered into the lead followed by Sharp, Hollister’s young gun Ryan Bernal, Bob Newberry, and Nickles Steel Erectors’ Keith Shipherd. A yellow interrupted the action and Bernal pulled into the infield with some issues. Hardina took the point as the racing quickly resumed until rookie driver Sharp tagged the wall and lost a torque tube which unfortunately ended his night early. On lap five Newberry dove under Hardina to take the lead and at the line it was Newberry, Hardina, Shipherd, McIntosh and Gardner.

Gotelli Speed’s Dave Press and Hanestad had the front row start for heat two. Hanestad led at the green which was soon followed by a yellow when Santa Rosa’s Scott Dupont tagged the wall. Hanestad took the point on the restart with Press, Jack Clark, Billy Aton, and Johnson Custom Machine’s Chris Magoon in hot pursuit. Hanestad brought home the win followed by Press, Magoon, Aton, and Dupont in the top five spots.

Heat one winner Bob Newberry pulled a lucky zero invert for the main event lineup, putting himself and Hanestad on the front row. This set the stage for a duel from the green as Joe Ponti threw the flag for the feature. Hanestad throttled into the lead but a turn two spin by McIntosh and then Aton slowed the action. Aton then pitted with a broken steering box. On the restart Hanestad powered into the point with Newberry nipping at his rear nerf, and an intense battle ensued behind them as Hardina, Magoon, Shipherd and Press ran in a tight bunch. The man on the move was Jason McIntosh, rebounding from his early spin. By lap six he had gunned back from the rear to the 7th spot and at lap ten he ran in 4th behind Hanestad, Newberry and Hardina. A mid-race spin by Magoon made for an exciting restart as Newberry launched into the lead and then Hanestad blazed past him on the front chute. The restart shuffled the field again as McIntosh took over 3rd from Hardina and Press made a move on Shipherd for 5th.With elbows up, McIntosh then dove under Newberry for 2nd and a good move in traffic gave Shipherd the opening to grab 5th from Press. At the checkers, it was Hanestad, McIntosh, Newberry, Hardina, and Shipherd in the top five spots.

It was an exciting night of good clean racing and a real pleasure to be at Petaluma Speedway. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Take care, drive safe and have fun.

Summary:

Heat 1—Bob Newberry; Marcus Hardina; Keith Shipherd; Jason McIntosh; Eddie Gardner; Michael Vaughn; Rick Sharp; Ryan Bernal.
Heat 2—Darrell Hanestad; David Press; Chris Magoon; Billy Aton; Dupont; Jack Clark.
Main—Hanestad; McIntosh; Newberry; Hardina; Shipherd; Press; Magoon; Clark; Gardner; Boosenbark; Scotty Dupont; Aton; Sharp DNS; Bernal DNS; Vaughn DNS.

To view pit photos go to http://www.specsprint.com/

Thanks!

Oops-typo correction. Petaluma is a 3/8 mile, not the 1/3 printed above

Does anybody know if Hanested is thinking about running the Louie Vermeil Classic at Calistoga over Labor day? I think he would be a great shoe for someone who is looking for a driver.

It's not finding a ride that would be the issue for the "Hammer" it's that he seems to be happily married to his wife and he has been pretty insistent that he'd like to keep it that way :-)....

I don't blame him a bit. She seems like a great lady. I think at one point many years ago, they sold their home and went on the Outlaw trail so Darrell could pursue his dream. If a woman will do that for you, then you better honor her wishes in the future.

I still wish I could see him run at Calistoga again. He reminds me of Kruseman. He seems to get smarter and smoother with age, and he's a real nice guy to talk to.

I'd like to see The Rat strap in one more time.

What about Chuck Gurney...I heard he could be running Calistoga

Chuck Gurney was probably the biggest name driver that wanted Non-Wing racing gone at Calistoga. Why would he come back after he pushed so hard to get rid of it?

Not sure...why don't you ask him.......but he told someone i know that he has a chance to race if he wants to...

That was a long time ago and besides Gurney was a great driver with or without a wing. I for one would love to see him in a sprinter at Calistoga. Not saying there is any truth in what was stated above but, people can change.

"When the green flag drops the bullshit stops" - The 
Great GP

Never in my many conversations with the "Rim Rider" have I ever heard Chuck even hint at having wanted non-wing racing to stop at Calistoga. To this day when I get to chat with 1 of my childhood heroes, he speaks of how much he enjoyed many hard-fought races at Stoga, and being as it may, he was more successful before the wings, so this makes no sense. Now with that being said, the curly-haired guy with a two-seater was forever SCARED of running at Calistoga without a wing, because of the lack of lighting in turn 3,and the dreaded rocks.

I thought I heard that rumor confirmed over the PA at Calistoga Saturday night. Apologies for getting any of the names wrong or if I have any of this completely whacked...but I thought Bill Sessa in the booth for a while and he said Chuck had been in the gym every day and was getting fit for the race. I think he even mentioned a car owner. (Sperry?).

I wasn't there but based on that description I'd bet the conversation was referring to Lil' Rim AKA Chuck Gurney, Jr.

Nope ..Little Rim is not available that weekend is what i heard.....It is the Rim Rider himself in the 51 car..

Well now that there is pretty freakin' interesting.....Of course I'm gonna be there any way but that would be cool! The only time I got to see non-wing racing at Calistoga (yes it was just one time) the winner was......ding, ding, ding! Chuck "the rim rider" Gurney! Fair weekend 1984.

I hope Gurney is there!! That would be great.

"When the green flag drops the bullshit stops" - The 
Great GP