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NCMA Sprints
Altamont Motorsports Park
Tracy, CA
June 28, 2007
All About Ariaz at Altamont
By Sharyn Bragg
After having a couple of rough starts at Altamont this season, Ariaz finally took the lead with just a few laps to go, to finish his third attempt on the “Fastest Half Mile in the West” in front of today’s main event.
Weather predictions for this Saturday indicated the population should stay indoors due to smoke and poor air quality, which never stops racers or fans. They were rewarded with a nice breeze and a clear sky to enjoy a very pleasant day of open wheel racing.
Napa’s David Goodwill set fast time, which is exactly what is expected of the man who is leading all points in NCMA; Combined, Select Series, Dirt and Pavement, to date. Jeff Burrows who seems to be right there was second quick. Third fast was Ed Amador, Ariaz fourth and Michael Zarevich, in his first outing this season was fifth.
The heat race found Burt Siverling of Concord on the pole and Rob Hammond on the shotgun. Hammond grabbed the lead by the first go-round, with Ariaz and Zarevich right with him. By the second round in turn four, Ariaz got a little hungry and tried for the lead, spinning out and getting him a little behind. Hammond had some competition but finish with the win at the end of the ten lap heat. Goodwill brought in a second at the line, with Zarevich third in Denny Burrell’s new sprinter. Ed Amador got a good fourth finish and even after the spin out, Ariaz ended up fifth.
Siverling and Hammond started the twenty-five lap main event on the pole and outside, Zarevich and Ariaz the second row and E. Amador was fifth. Hammond again took the lead and was looking like the fox being chased by the hounds, for the first few laps. Ariaz caught up to him and was making a statement behind Hammond. Hammond was having no trouble holding him off. Meanwhile, Goodwill who had come from the last row had made it to third, with Zarevich and Burrows holding fourth and fifth. About the halfway point, Steve Amador had a spin, bringing out the caution. On the restart, Hammond was still leading but Ariaz jumped him and took the lead, Hammond still had what it took and stole it back from him! S. Amador had more problems and the caution waved again, finishing his day. Ariaz took the lead again and retained it, but Hammond still was giving him “what for” and keeping second all his own.
Goodwill was having his own battle with Zarevich, maintaining third, and Burrows and E. Amador were duking it out for fourth. Zarevich didn’t want to burn up his ride on its first outing when it began getting too hot and made an exit with just a few laps to go. Ariaz took the checkered flag, Hammond was second, third was retained by Goodwill, Burrows was fourth, and Ed Amador rounded out the top five.
NCMA Sprints will have the Holiday weekend off, and return to the asphalt of Altamont, Saturday July 12th. Check the website at NCMASprints.com for further information.
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