QUINCY, CA (May 4/5) – This weekend the Western States Dwarf Car Nationals visited American Valley Speedway located in Feather River Country. The event is the sixth annual Dave Richardson and Leroy Kay Memorial Race, named after two drivers lost their lives about seven years ago.
Saturday before things got started and to honor both men all the cars present, Dwarfs, B Mods and Hobby Stocks did several parade.
Saturday night. the money night and it’s when the Pros race their 30-lap main event that closes the evening.
After the dust had settled winner Joe Frock said, ” This time I thought Shawn Jones had a really good car and Johnathon got into it and unfortunately he got tangled up. I think maybe we had something for him but I don’t know but it would have been close. It took me about 20-laps to figure out the track and my car really seemed to come to life at the end.”
Then he thanked Damron Racing Las Vegas, R&J Landscaping, Wild Island, Freiheit Racing Products, Diatte Racing Innovations, Nature’s Bakery, Eternal Image and Voss Fabrication.
The Pro race became a yellow flag derby, in fact it took three attempts to finally get a clean start. Up front Johnathan Henry was on point followed by Mac Marmon, Ryan Winter and Brad Ernst.
Then there was another tangle right after lap 1 ended and Marmon spun at the opposite end of the track. Once things got rolling Marmon spun again.
After the next caution the officials told the drivers that all restarts would be single file. Once again after the green flag waved there was another caution as three cars tangled in Turn 2.
At this point the field was on its second lap after five cautions. Once agin thee was another caution then Shawn Jones had taken the lead.
After that the race rolled on but on lap 17 the red flag came out, stopping the race due to a car on top of the Turn 3 kRail.
On the next restart the leader was spun causing another caution but by now Joe Frock, who at one time was fifth, held second.
Asked about the need for a good restart Frock said, “I was a little worried because leading tonight didn’t seem to be the place to be on restarts. My goal is to get the best start I could then try to not let anyone get close to me. Apparently I did a good job.”
When the green waved Frock was off and running and soon took the point. With four to go there was another caution as one car apparently had run out of gas.
Up front Frock was determined not to let anyone get too close so on the green he took off and put a gap between himself and Winter.
Asked about that final restart Frock said, “That was the idea, that was the plan I just didn’t know how it was going to work out. I was back in third, fourth, fifth I didn’t mind but once I got in front I thought, ‘man that white flag’s going to be coming out any second.”
In the end it was Frock, Winter, Henry and Gene Pires in the top four spots. Of the 23 starters eight drivers failed to complete the 30-lap main.
For Frock this race, which he has won before, is always an emotional time. Both Richardson and Kay were competitors and friends of his. There are special trophies for this event called “Trees,” as that the shape they are in. Now Frock has another to take home.
Earlier the final positions for the main were set after a B Main won by Mike Grenert.
Before the Pros ran their main it was time for the Vets 20-lap main. The first start was called off and on the second green there was a three-car tangle on the front straight.
Once that was cleared the field ran three laps before a two-car tangle in Turn 4 caused a red flag so the track could be cleared.
Once the green waved again Mark Biscardi and Tim Fitzpatrick began to pull away from the pack. Behind them there was a three-way duel for third between Eric Weisler, Mike Reeder and Kevin Bender.
Eventually the top three spread out and at the flag Biscardi scored the victory followed by Fitzpatrick and Bender.
Before the Pros and Vets had their main events it was time for the Sportsmen 20-lap main. On the green Tom VanTuyl was on point but one lap later the caution flew as five cars tangled in Turn 4.
Once that was cleaned up VanTuyl took off followed by Jimmy Damron and Steve Nester. While the leader was on cruise control with a big gap behind him Michael Williams made it a four-way duel for second.
The leader’s advantage was erased late in the race by a two-car tangle in Turn 4. On the green the leader was taken out by another car.
On the next restart Steve Nester made his move and took over the lead just before a three-car tangle in Turn 4.
One more caution would bunch the cars and slow everyone down. On the green Nester took off but this time he was being chased by Michael Williams, in fact they reached the checkered flag almost nose to tail.
It was the closest finish of the night.
Between each Dwarf Car main two of the track’s regular divisions had a race of their own.
Not to be outdone by the Dwarfs the Sport Mod main needed three attempts to get rolling and there would another caution with five to go.
At the end of the 20-lap main there were only five out of the nine cars left and Keith Brown Jr., won the event followed by Craig Nierman and Shayna Nieman.
Four Hobby Stocks were present and this group had a clean start with only one caution at the end. Winning the 14-lap main was Steve Gordon followed by Jake Hudson, Josh Cooey and Searon Montgomery.
• Friday evening was the first day of the show where the Dwarfs first had heat races then mains along with two of the track’s regular divisions filling any gaps in the show.
On this night the Pro Main was all Darren Brown. He lead from green to checkered. The only caution came from debris in Turn 4.
After the restart Jones tried to make a race of it but had to settle for the runner up spot as Brown put a gap between them. Mac Marmon was third while Joe Frock ended up fourth.
Soon after the Vets started their main Kevin Bender took the lead while Mark Biscardi claimed second. There was one caution when Brittany Sandoval spun but the caution was very short.
On the restart Bender took off with Tim Fitzpatrick second ahead of Mike Reeder. They finished in that order.
When the Sportsman main began Troy Stevenson got past Michael Reed to take the lead. One lap later Tom VanTuyl grabbed second until Reed took it back.
Right after the lead change Reed spun and VanTuyl either just stopped in time or made light contact with the other car.
After two attempts at a restart the field got rolling again until three laps later when Michaell Williams slid up and clipped the Turn 2 wall. Fortunately he was able to continue.
With four to go the green waved and Stevenson claimed the victory followed by Jimmy Damron and Williams.
One of the classes supporting Friday’s show were the IMCA Modifieds. When the green waved Matt Murphy was on point with Chase Nieman in second place and Adam Walters holding down third.
Moving through the pack was Jeff Olschowka and soon he took third place then a lap or two later was second. A caution on lap 12 bunched up the cars and on the restart Olschowka jumped into the lead.
On lap 16 of the 20 there was another caution but that was soon cleared and the green waved again. Olschowka roared off to victory followed by Chris Nieman, Matt Murphy, Chase Nieman and Adam Walters.
At the front straight victory ceremony Olschowka said, “It was a whole lot better than last week, this thing’s rolling tonight. Got to thank my wife and everybody that helps out NAPA, ICON Pistons, Razor Chassis, my father-in-law (Joe Blackwell) helps out a lot. We wouldn’t be here today unless he helped me get this thing rolling. Gene Kay, my partner, he’s been helping me a lot today and Steve Gordon from Gordon Timber.”
REPORTER’S NOTES: There is a photo gallery after the results. While I have pictures that aren’t part of this article on might want to contact the track photographer Kealey Froggatt. You can find her at www.facebook.com/KFroggattPhotography.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• This Tuesday there will be only a rerun of Teresa’s Garage Radio Show. We should be back on Tuesday, May 21.
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RESULTS:
Western States Dwarf Car Association
Dave Richardson and Leroy Kay Memorial
• American Valley Speedway – May 4
+ Pro Division (30-Laps): 1. Joe Frock, 2. Ryan Winter, 3. Johnathan Henry, 4. Gene Pires, Jr., 5. Shawn Jones, 6. Dustin Laughton, 7. Ryan Plexico, 8. Brandon Wiley, 9. Chad Matthias, 10. John Levitt, 11. Justin Winter, 12. Bobby Johnson, 13. Shawn Whitney, 14. Tyler Rodriguez, 15. Sam Wren, 16. Dustin Washburn, 17. Mike Grenert, 18. Mac Marmon, 19. Brad Ernst, 20. Ryan Amelin, 21. Darren Brown, 22. Ben Haney, 23. Camden Robestelli.+
Vet Division (20-Laps): 1. Mark Biscardi, 2. Tim Fitzpatrick, 3. Kevin Bender, 4. Mike Reeder, 5. Glen Sciarani, 6. Kevin Miraligo, 7. Eric Weisler, 8. Wade Ehrlich, 9. Eddie Claussen, 10. Jason Fike, 11. Buddy O., 12. Brittany Sando
+ Sportsman Division (20-Laps): 1. Steve Nester, 2. Michael Williams, 3. Michael Reed, 4. Mac Aceves, 5. Jimmy Damron, 6. Mike Alfonso 7. Tom VanTuyl, 8. Troy Stevenson (DQ), 9. Roger Hane
+ Fast Dash Winners: Mac Marmon (Pro), Mark Biscardi (Vet), Tom VanTuyl (Sportsman).
+ Sport Mods (20-Laps): 1. Keith Brown Jr., 2. Craig Nieman, 3. Shayna Nieman, 4. Jason Emmot, 5. Richard Longacre, 6. Tyler Eckles, 7. Brittney Nieman, 8. Tom Froggatt, 9. Raymond Talavera Jr.
+ Hobby Stocks (14-Laps): 1. Steve Gordon, 2. Jake Hudson, 3. Josh Cooey, 4. Searon Montgomery.
• American Valley Speedway – May 3
+ Pro (20-Laps): 1. Darren Brown, 2. Shawn Jones, 3. Mac Marmon, 4. Joe Frock, 5. Camden Robestelli, 6. Ben Haney, 7. Ryan Winter, 8.Brandon Wiley, 9. Chad Matthias, 10. Johnathan Henry, 11. Mike Grenert, 12. Dustin Washburn, 13. Gene Pires, Jr., 14. Ryan Plexico, 15.. Brad Ernst, 16. Tyler Rodriguez, 17. Shawn Whitney, 18. Dustin Loughton, 19. Ryan Amelin, 20. John Levitt, 21. Justin Winter, 22. Bobby Johnson, 23. Sam Wren.+ Vets (20-Laps): 1. Kevin Bender, 2. Tim Fitzpatrick, 3. Mike Reeder, 4. Kevin Miraligo, 5. Mark Biscardi, 6. Glen Sciarani, 7. Wade Ehriich 8. Brittany Sandoval, 9. Eric Weisler, 10. Eddie Clauessen, 11. Buddy Olsho
+ Sportsmen (20-Laps): 1. Troy Stevenson, 2. Jimmy Damron 3. Michael Williams, 4. Mike Alfonso, 5. Michael Reed, 6. Mac Aceves, 7. Tom VanTuyl, 8.Roget Haney.
+ IMCA Modifieds (20-Laps): 1. Jeff Olschowka, 2. Chris Nieman, 3. Matt Murphy, 4. Chase Nieman, 5. Adam Walters, 6. Richard Papenhasuen, 7. Andy Strait, 8. Joe Wood, 9. Larry McCracken, 10. Rob Robles.
+ Mini Stock (10-Laps): 1. Cody Froggett, 2. Billy Gibson, 3. Johnny Leach.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Saturday’s Hobby Stock winner was Steve Gordon. Kevin Bender won Friday night’s Vet main. Friday’s Sportsman main was won by Tom Stevenson. Darren Brown was Friday night’s Pro winner. 
Cody Froggett won Friday’s Mini Stock main. After the race Joe Frock holds one of the “Tree” trophies given to the top three in every division. Mark Bsicardi won Saturday’s Vet main. Closest finish Saturday was in the Sportsman class when Michael Williams chased winner Stever Nester to the finish. Joe Frock on his way to winning the Pro division of the Dwarf Car Nationals run at American Valley Speedway. Before racing began Saturday all the cars did several parade laps to honor the memory of Dave Richardson and Leroy Kay. 
Jeff Olschowka won Friday’s IMCA Modified main. 
Saturday’s Sport Mod winner was Keith Brown Jr. 
The B main winner Saturday was Mike Grenet.
