Photo by Alan Messick http://www.pbase.com/alanJonathan Allard charges from 13th to claim $6,000 victory at 17th annual Pacific Sprint Fall NationalsBy Gary ThomasChico, CA – October 4, 2008…Countless times this season Chico’s Jonathan Allard has been in position to win main events at the Silver Dollar Speedway, but unlike in past years at his home track the wins just hadn’t seemed to be coming. With that in mind the 2008 King of California was poised to breakthrough going into the annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals and he didn’t disappoint, putting on a thrilling drive from the 13th starting position to pick up his first career victory at the event. Going into the final winged sprint car event of the ’08 season at Silver Dollar Speedway Allard had captured two main event wins at the quarter-mile bullring this year, but also had a number of other near wins and countless podium finishes, including a pair at the Gold Cup Race of Champions in early September. With the Fall Nationals victory under his belt he now moves into a tie for fifth on the all-time Silver Dollar Speedway win list. “This was a fun track tonight because we could run all over and make things happen, but I’m definitely worn out after that,” Allard said following the feature. The final night of the 17th annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals had a kink thrown in the format due to a rainout on Friday evening, which was also the night Allard was set to qualify on. The Saturday portion then saw an all draw show with no qualifying being held and was also a one-night shootout for the $6,000 top prize, with no points from Thursday evening being carried over into Saturday. A total of 75 winged 360 sprint cars came back on Saturday to finish off the annual event and Allard drew a very high pill in the pre-race draw, which put the Williams Motorsports, K & N Filters, Platinum Powder Coating No. 0 in the sixth row during the night’s third heat race. A fast and rough track greeted competitors and “JA” was up on the wheel in the 10 lap contest as he charged forward right from the drop of the green flag. Allard was able to slice under Tim Kaeding midway through the heat and hold him off over the remaining laps to score a fifth place finish and lock himself into the feature.When the 40 lap Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals main event pushed onto the speedway it saw Allard lining-up on the inside of the seventh row in the 13th starting position and the Chico veteran moved his way forward quickly. Avoiding a few crashes and making some slick moves through the pack he was able to charge up to the top five by the time the 10 lap mark hit. Following a red flag situation Allard moved to the top and began ripping around the high-side of the speedway as he manhandled the JP’s Paint & Body, Red Line Oil, Butler Built Performance No. 0 sprinter through the ruts. The 32 year-old driver then proceeded to make impressive moves to charge around the outside of both Tyler Walker and Roger Crockett to move into the runner-up spot by lap 15. He then gave chase after leader Brad Furr and tried everything to make something happen with the former World of Outlaw regular. Allard closed right up on his rear a couple different times, but caught the ruts badly and bounced around violently as he flung the Ashley Smith tuned machine around the Silver Dollar Speedway bullring. “JA” didn’t let it deter him however, as he regrouped and closed right back in when Furr was caught in heavy lapped traffic as the race reached the 30 lap mark. Allard then gave it another shot and slid under Furr in turn three to take over the top spot that he would never relinquish. The former track champion picked his spots wisely through lapped traffic over the remaining 10 laps and drove away from the field to cross under the checkered flag and pick up his first career Fall Nationals title. “This has always been a race I’ve wanted to win and it feels outstanding to finally get it done,” Allard said. “I just have to thank Morrie & Katie Williams and this whole team who always stand behind me 100%.” The rough track took its toll on a number of competitors and it very nearly bit Allard a few times as he hammered his way around the high side of the surface. “It certainly scared me a couple times and was a big handful, but it was a blast to be able to race with drivers like Brad Furr, Roger Crockett and Tyler Walker. Those guys are some of the best anywhere and to be able to come out on top in the main event after some of the tough luck we've had in Chico this year is pretty cool. We’ve had a great last handful of races as well and hope to keep it up with the Outlaws in Watsonville and Tulare in a couple weeks,” the two-time King of California concluded. For more news and info on Chico, California’s Jonathan Allard log onto http://www.allardmotorsports.com--------------------------Chico's Jonathan Allard charged from 13th starting to capture his first career Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals victory on Saturday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway. Photo by http://www.JohnsRacingPhotos.com
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