LOVELOCK SPEEDWAY – AL MILLER MEMORIAL CHALLENGE

LOVELOCK, NV (July 28) – This year’s Frontier Day races at the Lovelock Speedway had an extra attraction, the Al Miller Memorial Challenge for Pro Stocks. A couple of months ago Al Miller passed away so his sons Robert and Randy decided to honor their father with a special race for the Nevada Pro Stock Association.

It would be a very different race for the Pro Stocks as it would run double the normal distance and have twice the payout for the winner. Including money for the driver up front at the split.

The night didn’t start out too well for Robert Miller as he put his Modified into the wall during a lap to honor his father. Sadly the modified, owned by his brother Randy, maybe have been totaled in the crash but later he redeemed him self.

After winning the Pro Stock main, Robert Miller said, “Don’t even know what to say right now. Rough day started out by totaling my modified but it’s a nice way to have closeur with my father. Hopefully it’s cash or a check with my name on it as this is Travis’ car, so I have to squeeze something out of him there.

“I was taking care of my tires and as and at the end knew I had to run the bottom and keep it as straight as possible no matter how slow it felt. I want to thank everybody, Travis for putting me in the car and everyone that helped make this possible.”

Most of the time the Pro Stocks run a 30-lap main event but on this night the race was 59-laps with a split in the middle. When that happened the cars would park on the front straight and their crews has a timed pit stop for fuel, to check the tires and give the drivers some water.

After that everyone lined up as they had finished the first part and were sent off to complete the final 29 laps of the race.

The first two rows were determined by how the top four drivers finished in a Trophy Dash. As a result Robbie Grace was on pole with Jay Sears beside him while the second row was Darrick Rauscher and Robert Miller.

On the green Grace took off but Sears had the lead by Turn 3 as Miller moved into second place. Behind them Jesse Gonzalez took over third.

The duel for the lead became a chase where Miller would catch up going into a turn then Sears would pull away on the exit. Finally Miller took the point before they started catching lap traffic.

On the final lap before the split Miller went wide and Sears was able to retake the lead and win the first part.

Now it was time for the pit crews to do their business and when time ran out the cars lined up for the 29-lap second half.

Before racing resumed Miller and car owner Travis White discussed tactics.

“I told Travis I was going to try and save these tires as good as I could, I was just going to run that higher line as long as I could to save the tires and not pinch the car then do what I had to do at the end and see. I thought I didn’t think I could make it work on the bottom finally I had to,” Miller said.

On the green Miller had the point but Sears took the position by Turn 2. A few laps later there was a caution when Antonio Aragon spun.

Then there was some side-by-side racing Miller took the point with Sears very close. Behind them Randy Miller led Bill Pearson, who was fourth.

Up front Miller was running the high line while Sears was using the low one as they tore around the track. Soon Miller fell into the clutches of his brother Randy, who took over second.

Asked about having his brother take over the second spot Miller said, “It crossed my mind when he drove by me I was thinking, ‘okay he’s got a handful of laps and I’ve got 39 years so.’ I think my driving experience over the 39 years I used it all for that bottom line.

Soon after the leaders began to catch slower traffic there was another yellow when Tyler Jones spun between Turns 3 and 4. Once racing resumed Miller used an inside move to take the lead while Pearson briefly held second until Sears took the position back.

There was a caution right at the end of the race but Miller claimed the victory followed by Sears, Pearson and Randy Miller, who really has very little experience in these cars.

During the awards ceremony forth place Randy Miller said, “Those last couple of yellows killed me because I got stuck on the outside and I think it if wasn’t for those last couple of yellows I’d had something for Jay. I found something on the bottom and I was knocking a couple of tenths off each lap and was reeling him in. Really thought I had a car for him at the end but I’ve never drove one of these before last weekend. I had five laps at Fernley before this weekend and I’m stoked to be where I’m at.”

The Pro Stocks weren’t the only class to have an extra payout. Friday and Saturday’s IMCA Modified winner would pocket $2,000 for their efforts.

Before the Modified main began the field did a four-wide salute to the fans. Then when the green waved Saturday 18 Modifieds put the hammer down and took off.

At first Cory Sample was on point until Friday’s winner Ryan McDaniel chases him down and took the spot. After that both leaders put daylight between themselves and third place Joel Meyers.

After a caution that bunched the cars, and two restarts, the result was the same, McDaniel on point being chased by Sample, Meyers and Don Childs.

The race ended when there was a caution right after the white flag was displayed. This due to a tangle in Turn 4 but McDaniel won the race followed by Sample, Meyers

The race ended after the white flag was displayed then a yellow after there was a tangle in Turn 4. So McDaniel won for the second night in a row followed by Sample, Meyers and Childs.

For McDaniel it was a lucky win as his car had problems.

During the awards presentation he said, “Me and dad (Six place Randy McDaniel.) swapped carburetors after the heat race because mine wouldn’t run. Then it ran fine, I took the lead, then we had a caution and it wouldn’t run. If we had a restart there it wouldn’t have run.”

Then he thanked Farnham Farms, his parents, Billy Moyer, Victory Chassis Race Cars and others.

Eight sprint cars showed up and when their main began Bob Cooney led Cameron Haney and they soon began to pull away from the pack. There would be a caution when one car pulled on to the infield then Haney’s car stalled in Turn 1.

Once things go going again Cooney took off but Darren Johnson was on the move and soon made the winning pass dropping Cooney to second at the end.

A dozen Hobby Stocks that took the green and soon Shayna Robinson took took the point from pole sitter David Ausano. Behind her Cody Morris was on the move as he set his sights on the leader.

There was a caution after after contact spun Robinson. When the green waved again Morris used an inside move to take the lead back.

A few laps later there was another caution and when things got going again Morris was on point with Friday’s winner Randy Boyd running a close second. Later Morris would go wide in Turn three handing the lead to Boyd.

However Morris wasn’t having any of this and soon took back the lead but Boyd gave him a run for his money until he slipped back to third. That when Ray Davis took second but was unable to catch the leader.

 

In the end it was Morris, Davis and Boyd finishing in the top three positions.

Unfortunately only four Dwarf Cars showed up and once their main began pole sitter Joe Fock took off and motored into the next area code. Behind him there was a duel for second.

At the checkered flag Frock ended up about a half lap ahead of everybody with Mike Quillici second, Glen Sciarani third and Roy Petersen was fourth.

•   Frontier Days is a two-day show and while the car count was lighter on Saturday the racing was as intense.

The first night winners were Robert Miller in Pro Stocks, Ryan McDaniel in Modifieds, Darren Johnson in Sprint Cars and Randy Boyd was the Hobby Stock winner.

Next race at Lovelock Speedway will be on August 18.

REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a photo gallery after the results. Besides the pictures I took Melissa was there and you can see her photos at www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.

OTHER RACING NEWS:

• This Wednesday there is a benefit for Ty Tremaine. The Gardnerville racer is working to raise funds to he can compete in this year’s International Six Day Enduro as part of the American team.

Last year this event was in Europe but this year it has been moved to South America and will be held in Chili. It’s a good time to help this local racer make the American team.

There will be an autograph session, T-shirts to buy, autographed jerseys raffled plus other prices. The event is on South Wells at PJandCo and runs from 5 until 7 p.m.

•   On Tuesday I’ll be on Teresa’s Garage Radio Show, which is broadcast from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. and covers all things automotive. And we’ll be talking about a special event the show is having for Hot August Nights next week.

I have a preview part around 2:15 and hope you can either listen or stream the show.

If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.

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We now have six very appreciated sponsors that are helping support this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport.

Our newest is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street, unit C. They stock accessories and have a large service department.

The shops website is www.moto-source.com and their phone number is 775-856-3855.

Big Valley Honda is the first dealer in our family of sponsors. They sell everything from motorcycles, UTV’s, ATV’s and about anything else things one could want.

Their location is at 2225 Market Street in Reno and their website is www.bigvalleyhonda.com and they have a Face Book page, www.facebook.com/bigvalleyhondareno.

Our first sponsor is a full service motorcycle shop, Reno Motorsports and they too have a full service shop as well as about anything a rider could want.

They are located at 964 Terminal way, by Mill Street and their website is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.

Sponsor PJ & Co Restaurant and Saloon located at 1590 Wells Avenue in Reno is familiar to most in the riding lifestyle.

Good food, great place and they have Bike Night every Wednesday. For further information please check their website at, www.pjandco.net.

Concours Body Shop, owned by racer and race supporter Gil Grieve, is a business doing quality repair work on cars and trucks.

The business is located at 240 Telegraph Street in Reno and their website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.

If you are into karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing then check out Nevada Kart Sport, our only full service kart shop in this region.

The shop has moved to 894 Deming Way in Sparks and their website is, www.nevadakartsport.com.

Have a business targeted toward the motorcycle, motorsport or off road demographic? Well we are looking for more sponsors.

You can contact us either through the comment section of the site or our Face Book page.

RESULTS:

Lovelock Frontier Day Races

• Saturday, July 28:

+ Nevada Pro Stock Association:

+ Heat Winners: #1 Travis White, #2 Jay Sears.

+ Trophy Dash: 1. Robbie Grace, 2. Jay Sears, 3. Darrick Rauscher, 4. Robert Miller.

+ Main, Part A (30-Laps): 1. Jay Sears, 2. Robert Miller, 3. Randy Miller, 4. Jesse Gonzalez, 5. Bill Pearson, 6. Robbie Grace, 7. Darrick Rauscher, 8. Tyler Jones, 9. Antonio Aragon, 10. Mike McMordie,11. Blane Hill.

+ Main, Part B (29-Laps): 1. Robert Miller, 2. Jay Sears, 3. Bill Pearson, 4. Randy Miller, 5. Robbie Grace, 6. Jesse Gonzalez, 7. Darrick Rauscher, 8. Antonio Aragon, 9. Tyler Jones, 10. Mike McMordie, 11. Blane Hill.

+ Modifieds:

+ Heat #1: 1.Ryan McDaniel, 2. Joel Meyers, 3. Don Childs, 4. Andy Strait, 5. Reldon Hatch, 6. Johnathan Delavega.

DNF: Steven Anderson.

+ Heat #2: 1. Travis White, 2. Alec Childs, 3. Cory Sample, 4. James Riggs, 5. Unlisted, 6. Tim Lamkey.

+ Heat #3: 1. Randy McDaniel, 2. Denny Roblee, 3. James Thibodeaux, 4.      Kolbie Mace, 5. Jim Jurad, 6. Jay Bradley.

+ Main (30-Laps): 1. Ryan McDaniel, 2. Cory Sample, 3. Joel Meyers, 4. Don      Childs, 5. James Thibodeaux, 6. Randy McDaniel, 7. Travis White, 8. Andy Strait, 9. Denny Roblee, 10. Alec Childs, 11. Unlisted, 12. Steven Anderson, 13. Johnathan Delavega, 14. Kolbie Mace, 15. James Riggs, 16. Jim Jurad, 17. Tim Lamkey, 18. Reldon Hatch.

DNS: Jay Bradley.

+Sprints:

+ Heat #1: 1. Cameron Haney, 2. Wade Lumsden, 3. Chad Thompson, 4. Cameron Haney Jr.

+ Heat #2: 1. Bod Cooney, 2. Darren Johnson, 3. Jeff Macedo, 4. Jaylon      Dees.

+ Main (25-Laps): 1. Darren Johnson, 2. Bob Cooney, 3. Cameron Haney, 4.      Jaylon Dees, 5. Cameron Haney Jr., 6. Jeff Macedo, 7. Wade Lumsden, 8.      Chad Thompson.

+Dwarf Cars:

+ Heat: 1. Joe Frock, 2. Mike Quillici, 3. Glenn Sciarani, 4. Roy Peterson.

+ Main (22-Laps): 1. Joe Frock, 2. Mike Quillici, 3. Glenn Sciarani, 4. Roy      Peterson.

+ Hobby Stocks:

+ Heat #1: 1. David Ausano, 2. Cody Morris, 3. Randy Boyd, 4. James      Bonderer, 5. Bob Vaden, 6. Jeff Tuttle.

+ Heat #2: 1. Shayna Robinson, 2. Ray Davis, 3. Jimmy Berhorst, 4. Rusty      McMillan, 5. Randy Miller, 6. Crystal Kontny.

+ Main (20-Laps): 1. Cody Morris, 2. Ray Davis, 3. Randy Boyd, 4. Randy      Miller, 5. Rusty McMillan, 6. David Ausano, 7. Crystal Kontny, 8. Shayna      Robinson, 9. Jeff Tuttle, 10. James Bonderer, 11. Jimmy Berhorst, 12. Bob Vaden.

•   Friday, July 27:

+ Pro Stocks:

+ Heat: 1. Randy Miller, 2. Darrick Rauscher, 3. Robert Miller, 4. Bill Pearson.

+ Main (15-Laps): 1. Robert Miller, 2. Darrick Rauscher, 3. Randy Miller.

+ Modifieds:

+ Heat #1: 1. Robert Miller, 2. James Thibodeaux, 3. Joel Meyers, 4. Andy      Strait, 5. Don Childs, 6. Jim Jurad, 7. Tim Lamkey.

+ Heat #2: 1. Ryan McDaniel, 2. Ron McDaniel, 3. Unlisted, 4. Robbie Conley.

DNF: Kolbie Mace, Steven Anderson.

+ Heat #3: 1. Cory Sample, 2. Alec Childs, 3. Travis White, 4. Denny Robblee, 5. Ty Gamble.

DNF: Jay Bradley.

+ Main (30-Laps): 1. Ryan McDaniel, 2. James Thibodeaux, 3. Cory Sample, 4.      Robert Miller, 5. Joel Meyers, 6. Andy Strait, 7. Alec Childs, 8. Denny Robblee, 9. 25, 10. Steven Anderson, 11. Jim Jurad, 12. Travis White, 13. Kolbie Mace, 14. Tim Lamkey, 15. Ron McDaniel, 16. Ty Gamble, 17. Jay Bradley, 18. Don Childs.

DNS: Robbie Conley.

+ Sprints:

+ Heat: 1. Darren Johnson, 2. Bob Cooney, 3. Wade Lumsden.

+ Main (15-Laps): 1. Darren Johnson, 2. Wade Lumsden, 3. Bob Cooney.

+ Hobby Stocks:

+ Heat #1: 1. Randy Miller, 2. Shayna Robinson, 3. Rusty McMillian, 4. Cody      Morris.

+ Heat #2: 1. Randy Boyd, 2. Ray Davis, 3. Crystal Kontny, 4. Jimmy Berhorst.

+ Main (20-Laps): 1. Randy Boyd, 2. Randy Miller, 3. Cody Morris, 4. Rusty McMillan, 5. Ray Davis, 6. Jimmy Berhorst, 7. David Ausano, 8. Shayna      Robinson, 9. Crystal Kontny.

PHOTO GALLERY: