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Steve Pemberton Posts First Chowchilla Win
By Debbie Shipherd
Wingless Spec Sprints
Chowchilla, CA - June 2, 2007....Salinas’ Steve Pemberton powered his Pemberton Motorsports Wingless Spec Sprint to a first Chowchilla feature win on Saturday June 2, coming from the back of the field for a thrilling race. Pemberton made an outside pass on Gotelli Speed’s Dave Press on lap eighteen to take the lead, and was chased to the line by Press, Jimmy Lavell, David Goodwill, and Dan Gonderman.
Saturday was the Spec Sprint’s second visit to the well prepared track, and teams were warmly welcomed by Chowchilla’s friendly staff. Two six lap heat races ran with Antioch’s Dan Gonderman leading wire to wire in heat one followed by Steve Pemberton, Lito Auto Body’s David Goodwill, Gotelli Speeds’ Dave Press, and Rob Hammond. Heat two ran flag to flag with Cameron Beard and Concord’s Burt Siverling starting in the front row. Beard took the lead at the green and Contra Costa Auto Parts’ Keith Shipherd made an inside pass for the lead on lap four. Shipherd won and was chased by Atwater’s Cameron Beard, Siverling, Harvest Park Bowl’s Jimmy Lavell, Ed Amador, and Pizza Factory’s Doug Gandy, Jr. Cameron Beard won the trophy dash in a 327 powered machine.
The twenty-five lap feature began with Brentwood’s Jimmy Lavell and Foster City’s Dave Press on the front row. Press took the point at the green and was followed by a freight train of cars hugging the bottom consisting of Lavell, Goodwill, Beard and Gonderman. Gonderman passed Beard for fourth on lap two and Shipherd took the fifth spot on lap three. By lap five Pemberton had powered up to fifth using the high groove, finding moisture in turn four. Beard clipped the back straight wall but managed to save his mount from going over for the first caution. On the restart Pemberton pulled into second behind Press followed by Lavell, Shipherd, Gonderman and Goodwill. Shipherd spun to avoid hard contact with Lavell as the lead group slowed in turn two for the second yellow. Press continued protecting his lead as the group behind hugged the bottom groove, but Pemberton took to the high side of turn four for the pass and the lead. Midfield action saw Shipherd pass Amador in turn four for seventh and then a last lap pass on Hammond for the sixth spot. Pemberton, a two time Watsonville Speedway champion, took his first Chowchilla win followed closely by Press, Lavell, Goodwill and Gonderman.
Chowchilla Speedway will host its own Wingless Spec Sprint race on Saturday June 16. This is a non point race, just for fun. Come out and support the track that has given the Spec Sprints a great place to race since 2001. The 1/3 mile track is fast and always well prepared. Officiating is fair, hospitality is top notch, and the racing is clean. Bring three crew members and the fourth gets in free. For more information, contact the track.
Drive safe, have fun and take care.
Summary:
Heat 1: Dan Gonderman, Steve Pemberton, David Goodwill, Dave Press, Rob Hammond
Heat 2: Keith Shipherd, Cameron Beard, Burt Siverling, Jimmy Lavell, Ed Amador, Doug Gandy, Jr.
Trophy Dash: Beard, Pemberton, Gonderman, Shipherd
Main: Pemberton, Press, Lavell, Goodwill, Gonderman, Shipherd, Hammond, Amador, Siverling, Beard, Gandy
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