FALLON, NV (June 22) – Rattlesnake Raceway hosted its fifth scheduled race of the season. Visiting were the Northern Nevada Winged Sprints as well as the Dwarf Cars.
This time the weather cooperated and set the stage for some great racing in this bullring.
During the heat races the track dried out so much dust was a problem when the sprint cars were out there. As a result a bunch of water was put down during the intermission.
The result was a fairly long wheel packing session by the Hobby Stocks before their main. Finally the track was deemed ready to go and the cars lined up.
On the green Tori Edgington used her outside pole position to jump into the lead and proceed to leave everyone in her dust. Back in the pack Chris Christiano was moving toward the front.
The first caution came when Roy Petersen spun exiting Turn 4 and wound up on the berm. By now Alan Dias was second with Christiano third. Soon after the restart Christiano took over second then Edgington had a problem and began to slow.
She eventually pitted handing the lead to Christiano, who started putting distance between himself and Diaz while Shane Cazel held down the third spot. In the final laps Cazel took over second.
In the end Christiano, who spent a large part of the race on cruise control won followed by Cazel and Dias. Next two spots were Robert Crane and Crystal Kontney.
Sadly only three IMCA Modifieds were on hand. On the green Vincent Evenson took off but later his race ended when the drive shaft of his car fell off.
Up front this put Shane Natenstedt in the catbird’s seat as he motored off to claim the victory with Wade Lumsden taking second.
Next up were the SSR or Mod Minis. On the green Jesse James took off and soon put distance between him and second place Stephen Crook.
Behind the leaders Rich Innis and Kevin Reuter were disputing third place. Up front James lead began to dwindle as Crook began to close the gap.
James did have a bit of a problem getting by one lapper then was slowed after hitting one of the holes the track had. This gave Crook the opportunity he needed to use the outside line and make the pass for the lead on the backstretch.
However the race wasn’t over as James got his momentum again and began to close on Crook. Heading toward the checkered flag James almost caught up but fell short by half a car length as they staged the closest finish of the night.
“For not having very many cars it ended up being one of the most fun races I’ve been in for a long time,” Crook said. “There’s the hole in 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4 so I was kind of watching him for a while and trying to figure out where his bad spot was and where I needed to be. I didn’t feel I was faster and he had a couple of bad spots, had a little trouble getting by Kevin, then he hit that hole that slowed him up and it put me back into the race. It just gave me a chance to try and get a run at him.”
Then he thanked Reno Print Store for graphics and explaine he’s self funded.
Next up were the Dwarf Cars and Joe Frock got the best draw as that put him on pole. When the green waved he took off but Tim Fitzpatrick and Sam Wren gave chase.
Up front the gap was closed a bit then Frock extended his lead to take the victory. Fitzpatrick finished second followed by Wren in third and fourth place Kenny Martin.
Back in the pits Frock said, “It was nice thanks to the random draw, put us on the pole and we definitely took advantage of it. Just kept it out front, found a good line around the track about lap four or five. I thought the track was real technical, challenging but also was a little fun.”
Then he thanked Damron Racing Las Vegas, R&J Landscaping, Wild Island, DRI, Eternal Image and Voss Fabrication.
Next up were the Gen-X racers and on point after the start was Joie Gibbons. Behind her, starting from the back, Mikki Beuchat was on the move.
Finally Beauchat, who found using the high line works best for his front wheel drive car, caught Gibbons and passed her on the back stretch.
Soon after that Gibbons had to pit with a flat tire then there was a caution when Will Evenson spun in Turn 1. By now attrition had reduced the field.
In the final laps Beuchat just ran away from every one to claim the victory. Daniel Kleve came home second ahead of Jesse Showe and Gibbons.
Back in the pits Beuchat said, “The race was bumpy but it was fun. There was a giant hole in the middle of 3 and 4 and if you hit it just right you got some pretty good air. I used the highline because nobody else wants to be there and it was the fastest way, I don’t like being on the bottom.”
Right now Beuchat doesn’t have any sponsors but he’s is looking so if anyone wants to help a winner please contact him.
Finally it was time for the sprint cars.
When the green waved Bob Cooney took off with Dalton Cristiani giving chase. Soon Wade Lumsden took over third as they sped around the track.
Then two cars spun or stopped between Turns 3 and 4 and were joined by another car. A red flag was called so the track crews could check on the drivers, who were okay but one car dropped a bunch of oil.
Once things were cleaned up and everyone was ready to go another called stalled and that was the Cooney and was pushed into the pits handing the lead to Cristiani.
Only three cars took the green and Cristiani took off to claim both the lead and victordy. Behind him Lumsden was able to take second after holding off third place Kurt Goddard.
After taking the checkered flag Cristiani, who is from Nampa, Idaho said, “Track’s a little rough, had to find my line around all the ruts. After I got that she handled pretty good.”
Then he thanked sponsors Northern Nevada Internet Service, Bob’s Farm Supply and Rocky Mountain Race Car Supply.
Next up for Rattlesnake is the annual 4th of July show that includes Fallon’s fireworks show.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• This week is the annual Mammoth Motocross event that started this weekend. Tuesday and Wednesday is Mini Race Day.
The cycle begins again on Friday and I’ll have those classes listed in Thursday’s preview article.
We here at nvracingnews want to extend our best wishes to the local riders that are competing down there.
• Teresa’s Garage will be on Tuesday from 2 until 3 p.m. and the show covers all things automotive. This also includes some news about things automakers are adding to their vehicles.
I have a preview section at 2:15 and you can hear us live, over the air, streaming on the Internet or live on Face Book, which is repeated. Hope you’ll give us a listen.
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–Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
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Phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs
Brian Saul is the new owner, a car enthusiast himself is committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work. Phone number for the shop is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like-minded people.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
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RESULTS:
Rattlesnake Raceway – Round 5
Fallon, NV – June 22
Hobby Stocks:
+ Heat #1: 1. Tori Edgington, 2.DanDias, 3.CrystalKontney, 4. Robert Crane, 5. Jimmy Berhorst.
+ Heat #2: 1. ShaneCazel, 2.Chris Cristiano, 3.Roy Petersen.
+ Main: 1. Chris Christiano, 2. Shane Cazel, 3. Dan Dias, 4. Robert Crane, 5. Crystal Kontney, 6. Roy Petersen, 7. Tori Edgington, 8. Unlisted, 9. Jimmy Berhorst.
IMCA Modifieds:
Heat Race: 1. Shawn Natenstedt, 2. Wade Lumsden, 3.Vincent Evenson.
Main: 1. Shawn Natenstedt, 2. Wade Lumsden, 3. Vincent Evenson.
Mod Mini/SS4:
+ Heat Race: 1. Jesse James, 2. Stephen Crook, 3. Rich Innis, 4. Kevin Reuter, 5. Travis Showe.
+ Main: 1. Stephen Crook, 2. Jesse James, 3. Rich Innis, 4. Kevin Reuter.
DNS: Travis Showe.
Dwarf Cars:
+ Heat Race:1. Joe Frock, 2. Sam Wren, 3. Tim Fitzpatrick, 4. Kenny Martin, 5.Glenn Sciarani, 6. Michelle Petersen.
+ Main: 1. Joe Frock, 2. Tim Fitzpatrick, 3. Sam Wren, 4. Kenny Martin, 5. Glenn Sciarani, 6. Michelle Petersen.
Gen-X:
+ Heat #1: 1. Mikki Beuchat, 2. Daniel Kleve, 3. Will Evenson, 4. Jesse Showe.
+ Heat #2: 1.Jeff Tuttle, 2. Joie Gibbons, 3. Jeff Tuttle.
+ Main: 1. Mikki Beuchat, 2. Daniel Kleve, 3. Jesse Showe, 4. Joe Gibbons, 5. Jeff Tuttle.
DNS: Will Evenson.
Northern Nevada Winged Sprints:
+ Heat #1: 1. Dalton Cristiani, 2. Wade Lumsden, 3. Unlisted, 4. Unlisted.
+ Heat #2: 1. Bob Cooney, 3. Kurt Douglas Goddard.
Main: 1. Dalton Cristiani, 2. Wade Lumsden, 3. Kurt Douglas Goddard, 4. Bob Cooney, 5. Unlisted, 6. Unlisted.
DNS: Bruce Ferrier.
