LOVELOCK, NV (JULY 6) – While the car count was less than expected on a money night the racing still went on at the Lovelock Speedway. Fans present were treated to good weather and some hot racing.
After the IMCA main winner Cory Sample, who was appearing in this third race in as many days said, “It’s been at least over a year to be sure but it’s good to be back. I feel good, we’ve raced a handful of days in a row and just got to keep going and plugging away.”
Before the race got started the IMCA drivers did a three-wide salute to the fans. After that it was time to go racing.
On the green Steven Anderson briefly held the lead until Sample stormed by as Malen Gonzalez chased him. Soon after that Gonzalez used an outside more to take the point and the chase was on.
Eventually Sample retook the lead as they tore around the track. Behind them Anderson, Bradley Schmidt and Andy Strait were dueling for position in a nose-to-tail formation.
Late in the race Sample and Gonzalez caught the pack and the winner would be determined by which one could get through the quickest.
Asked about that Sample said, “The lap traffic was getting a little crazy and I didn’t know where he (Malen) was and I figured he was going to be the closest competitor. Steven kind of pushed up a little bit and there was a little window of opportunity so I had to take it. I figured if I could get through traffic a lot quicker, I’d be better off.”
Well it worked although there may have been some contact with a slower car. At the end sample had almost a two-turn advantage over Gonzalez.
By then the track was drying out so it was dusty during the final laps.
For the past two years Sample has been the runner up in the IMCA national championship but this year he’s not focused on that.
“We’ve just been kind of busy at work so taking it easy and we’ll regroup then maybe in another year or two go after it again.
After that he thanked sponsors Razer Chassis, Dakota Diesel, Kaiser Manufacturing and Weirs Machine. Then he said about Lovelock, “It’s a great facility, we’re on the way home from Susanville and we want to support the track.
Bob Cooney was the only driver that showed up with a sprint car so he got to go out twice and do some hot laps.
The track advertised extra money if 10 Modifieds showed up and that many started the heat races although Fred White was unable to make the main. At least two modified drivers said they were coming but were unable to.
Hobby Stocks also were in line for extra money if 10 showed up but only four were present. Still they had a pretty good race that went down to the checkered flag.
Before their mains the track had been watered during the intermission. So the four drivers got some laps to work in the water before they formed up and were turned loose.
When the green flag waved Jimmy Berhorst jumped into the lead with Crystal Kontney and Robert Crane having a side-by-side duel for second. Eventually Alex Kniedstedt took over second but was chased by Kontney.
By that time Berhorst had a pretty good lead but it began to shrink as Kniedstedt and Kontney were reeling him in. All during the race the drivers were tip toeing through the corners as it was a bit slick out there.
With three to go Berhorst lost it in Turn 4,that allowed Kniedstedt and Kontney to slip past and take the first two spots with Robert Crane in third.
The chase was on during the final laps and at the checkered flag Kontney was right behind winner Kniedstedt.
After taking a victory lap Kniedstedt said, “Thanks guys that was fun. It was slippery the whole way through.”
Then he thanked sponsors Decline Massage, Goetz Racing and Pink Shoelace Racing. He also gave special thanks to Rusty McMillan for acting as his crew chief.
The track had advertised there would be $500 for the Hobby Stock winner if 10 cars showed up. Since only four drivers had the initiative to show up, the board decided to split the winner’s amount between the four drivers.
So the Hobby Stock drivers all got extra money for their efforts.
Due to personal conflicts the July 13th race has been canceled so the next event will be the two-day Frontier Days races August 2nd and 3rd.
REPORTER’S NOTE: While I have pictures of all the cars racing another good source for those is, www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Sunday was the first weekend of the month meet for Reno Cars and Coffee. The cars range from the ordinary, hot rods, showcars to exotic.
One of them was a very well restored Datsun 510 sedan owned by Monte Meredith. He’s the original owner and bought the car in 1973 from the Reno Datsun dealer.
The car not only has been restored but upgraded from stock. Meredith said the motor is like the super stock ones sold in Japan and the interior has also been up graded.
“It’s always been a Reno car,” he said.
• Two other area tracks were racing this holiday weekend and both had fireworks on the 4th of July.
Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville, California had a two-day show Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, July 4th, the winners were, Tom Davis (Mini Stocks), Colton Lawson (Hobby Stocks), Kevin Johnson (Sports Mod) and Cory Sample (IMCA Modifieds).
Friday’s winners were, Tom Davis (Mini Stocks, Colton Lawson (Hobby Stocks), Kevin Johnson (Sports Mod), and Riley Simmons (IMCA Modifieds).
Rattlesnake Raceway also had its traditional 4th of July show. The winners were Mikki Beuchat (Gen-X), Dennis Crook (SS4/Mod Mini), Joe Frock (Dwarf Cars), Ray Davis (Hobby Stocks) and Wade Lumsden (IMCA Modifieds).
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show will be live again from 2 until 3 p.m. this Tuesday. The show covers all things automotive as well as trends.
I have a preview section at 2:15 and you can either hear us live over the air, stream the show on the Internet or watch us live on Face Book. Hope you’ll check the program out.
• On Wednesday evening the Sparks A&W, across from Reed High School, starting at 5 p.m. will have another car meet. Great way to meet fellow car people and enjoy music supplied by a DJ.
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
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We now have four very appreciated sponsors that support his site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue.
Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need but 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.
The next shop, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again the shop has a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.
The shop’s 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 owner, a car enthusiast himself he’s committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work. The 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:
Lovelock Speedway – July 6
Hobby Stocks:
+ Heat: 1. Jimmy Berhorst, 2. Alex Kniedstedt, 3. Crystal Kontney, 4. Robert Crane.
+ Main: 1. Alex Kniedstedt, 2. Crystal Kontney, 3. Jimmy Berhorst, 4. Robert Crane.
IMCA Modified:
+ Heat #1: 1. Cory Sample, 2. Ty Gamble, 3. Fred White, 4. Steven Anderson, 5. Cole Jones.
+ Heat #2: 1. Malen Gonzalez, 2. Andy Strait, 3. Bradley Schmidt, 4. Shawn LeRoque, 5. Jonathan Dela Vega.
+ Main: 1. Cory Sample, 2. Malen Gonzalez, 3. Ty Gamble, 4. Shawn LaRoque, 5. Andy Strait, 6. Jonathan Dela Vega, 7. Cole Jones, 8. Steven Anderson (DNF), 9. Bradley Schmidt (DNF), 10. Fred White (DNS).
