|
NCMA Sprints
Altamont Motorsports Park
Tracy, CA
April 7, 2007
Amador Wins Season Opener
Ed Amador, the “Racing Farmer” from Modesto, CA came back from the winter hiatus refreshed and ready to race. He made this first outing of the season all his as he won the Trophy Dash and the Main Event sponsored by Randy Jones Construction.
Format for this first race of 2007 was qualifying, trophy dash and a main event. Michael Zarevich one of last years co-champions set fast time. Amador’s 7-A Bar Ranch sprint was second quick time. Gary Koster, the racing wizard of Woodland was third, and Jimmy Lavell driving his DIRT car qualified fourth.
The Trophy Dash had Jeff Burrows and Lavell running the front row, with Koster and Amador behind them. Burrows took the lead, lookin’ good, but here came Amador and in four very short laps he took the checkered flag. Burrows was no further back than second. Koster came right up in third, and unfortunately Lavell had a fuel line come loose and gave everyone a start as he pulled right up to the safety crew hopping out quick. “I was looking for the closest fire extinguisher, just in case.” Luckily he didn’t need it; he still got out of his rig soaked down with fuel.
Morgan Hill’s Rob Hammond started on the pole and Manteca’s Pat Ariaz held the outside pole for the twenty lap Main Event. Burrows from Manteca, and Brentwood’s Lavell made up row two. The green flag was thrown and Hammond held the lead for several laps. Ariaz finally got around him and looked like he was going to take the win. Lavell was right there with him, but second quick guy of the night, Ed Amador who started in the rear of the field just worked. He must have gotten a little patience over the winter because he just kept moving forward not challenging anyone but not giving an inch either. He got to the point of trying Ariaz on the inside and trying on the outside. Finally the outside opened up and he just went. His long dry spell on pavement was over. No surprise to anyone Koster (2006 Combined Champion) filled the spot for second place. Hammond didn’t get left behind and finished third. The Isham Const. #9 piloted by Burrows came in fourth and Pat Ariaz rounded out the top five. Ariaz had a miserable night as he lost his brakes and still managed a top five finish. Patterson’s Steve Amador finished sixth, but Lavell was not quite as lucky with only two laps remaining he cut down a rear tire and was out of it. A couple of notes: Zarevich was having engines problems after qualifying, and chose not to make it any worse. He’ll be ready for next week. Also, David Goodwill has put a beautiful new pavement car together. After some hot laps, he had power steering pump issues and was not able to run. Goodwill and crew will have the new car bugs worked out and ready to give the asphalt bunch a run for their money next week at Madera.
NCMA Sprints will travel to Madera Speedway for the first of several races this season. Several members have run “playdays” there and are looking forward to racing on the paved one-third mile. For directions and times go to RaceMadera.com
The green flag was thrown and Hammond held the lead for several laps. Ariaz finally got around him and looked like he was going to take the win. Lavell was right there with him, but second quick guy of the night, Ed Amador who started in the rear of the field just worked. He must have gotten a little patience over the winter because he just kept moving forward not challenging anyone but not giving an inch either. He got to the point of trying Ariaz on the inside and trying on the outside. Finally the outside opened up and he just went. His long dry spell on pavement was over. No surprise to anyone Koster (2006 Combined Champion) filled the spot for second place. Hammond didn't get left behind and finished third. The Isham Const. #9 piloted by Burrows came in fourth and Pat Ariaz rounded out the top five. Ariaz had a miserable night as he lost his brakes and still managed a top five finish. Patterson's Steve Amador finished sixth, but Lavell was not quite as lucky with only two laps remaining he cut down a rear tire and was out of it. A couple of notes: Zarevich was having engines problems after qualifying, and chose not to make it any worse. He'll be ready for next week. Also, David Goodwill has put a beautiful new pavement car together. After some hot laps, he had power steering pump issues and was not able to run. Goodwill and crew will have the new car bugs worked out and ready to give the asphalt bunch a run for their money next week at Madera.
NCMA Sprints will travel to Madera Speedway for the first of several races this season. Several members have run "playdays" there and are looking forward to racing on the paved one-third mile. For directions and times go to RaceMadera.com
|
