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Photo by Johns Racing Photos
Jonathan Allard puts on great drive at Pombo/Sargent Classic
By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – June 28, 2008…Forced to start from the fifth row in the feature following a heat race crash at the annual Pombo/Sargent Classic, current Golden State Challenge Series point leader Jonathan Allard didn’t give up and charged to a podium finish, scoring his 13th top five of the GSC season. The result also marked Allard's second straight third place finish in the annual event that honors legend's Al Pombo and Marshall Sargent.
Coming into the event at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway Allard held a 51 point edge over Los Angeles driver Tyler Walker and looked to maintain that mark with just seven races left till the King of California is crowned. A very warm day greeted competitors to the track, but the racing surface held up well all night and made for some great racing during the feature.
Despite coming out late in the qualifying order Allard was able to rip off a 13.198 to give the K & N Filters, Sharp Insurance No. 0 fast time in the 20 car field. It set him up to start from the sixth position in the opening heat race and the initial start saw him get up to a transfer spot, but a spun car in turns three and four created a complete restart. When the green lights came back on he fell into sixth and as he was trying to make a pass in turn three, the hole closed up and it ended with him getting upside down into the wall in turn three.
With no B-main being ran it allowed the Williams Motorsports crew a little more time to work and Allard was able to start behind the dash cars in the main event. Lining up ninth in the 30 lap feature he was able to move up a couple spots by the time a caution came out on lap four. After this a long green flag run was seen and Allard diced it up with the drivers running third through sixth. Just around the midway point he was able to charge around Jason Statler and Mike Henry to move up into the fifth position.
A caution then appeared on lap 23 and Allard sat in the fifth spot with just seven laps remaining in the race, but on the restart the driver sitting second slowed to a stop and it bumped him up to fourth. When flagman Willie Williams waved the green again “JA” stuck the Red Line Oil, Platinum Powder Coating Maxim to the bottom of the speedway and was able to get under Bud Kaeding off turn four to take over third.
Allard stayed to the bottom and went after Tyler Walker for the runner-up spot in turns one and two, but couldn’t get the drive he needed and settled for a third place finish at the checkered. “I have to thank my whole team for working hard tonight and to get a third place finish is great for us. My car owners Morrie & Katie Williams, my guys Ashley Smith, Bob-Oh, Shawn and even my little bro helped out tonight and to win a championship we need night’s like this,” Allard said in post race interviews.
When asked about going back to Chico so much in July Allard sounded excited about the opportunity. “I’m always excited to go home and race and I think it’ll be fun racing at Chico a lot in July and hopefully we can keep these great runs going and bring home a title. I’m pretty sore right now though and am going to go to the doctor next week to get checked up and get my back looked at. But hopefully we’re alright and can go and try to get some wins during this upcoming month,” he concluded.
Allard also competed at the Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday night where he charged forward late in the race to finish a close second to first time Chico winner Andy Gregg. The 31 year-old put on a show as he methodically closed in on Gregg over the last handful of laps and missed out on the win by less than a car length.
This coming weekend will find the Golden State Challenge Series in competition at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico and Allard will go into the night holding a 44 point lead over Tyler Walker in the point standings. Including this coming Saturday there are just six races remaining until the season comes to a conclusion at the end of the month. Please stop by the rig following the races to check our T-shirts and pick up a hand out card. "JA" will also be in action on Friday in Chico during the annual 4th of July special at the track.
For news, pictures and more on Jonathan Allard and Williams Motorsports visit http://www.allardmotorsports.com
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Photo by Davy Thomas
GT Promotions
http://www.mbracingteam.com/Gary_Thomas.html
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Nic article, Gary.
VERY happy for Jonathan. Such a nice guy and was always kind to me at the track. Have not forgotten that!
Wishing him another GSC Championship!!!!
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