QUINCY, CALIF (May 1) – After being shut down all last season American Valley Speedway reopened and started the 2021 season. Good weather and a good crowd in the stands set the stage for a great night of racing on this May Day night.
Before the mains all classes had heat races. There was an attempt at a trophy dash for the top two A mod heat winners. Well it lasted less than a lap after two cars took each other out, only one was able to make the main. Another had problems so the survivor got the money but the dash really lasted less than a lap.
When the green waved for the A Modified main it took less than a lap for Richard Papenhausen to take the point but soon he had Chris Olexiewicz on his back bumper. Lap after lap they tore around the track with a brief pause after a quick caution for a spin in Turn 4.
On the restart the leaders resumed their battle but finally Olexiewicz got past and led the charge. Towards the end both leaders were passing the slower cars but in the end it was Olexiewiz, Papenhausen and Walter Ball with Mark Skender finishing fourth.
After the race, when the winners were on the front straight Olexiewicz said, “It’s really the second night we’ve had this out so we’re still learning but you couldn’t ask for a better track, super smooth and plenty of grip. It’s great to be back outside and enjoying life.”
Then he explained how the winning pass was made.
“Richard was a little tight coming off of turn 2, his car was pushing. Pushed a couple of laps in a row so I just waited for it to happen again and I could get a good run on him down the backstretch when he was struggling over in 2. He was really fast and that was the only part of the track where he was having a problem, fortunately we were able to capitalize.” He said.
Then he thanked his parents, wife, kids Elkhorn Construction, Auto Pro Collision, Kline Racing Engines and DeVilbiss Chassis.
Next up were the IMCA Sport Mods and on the green Ryan Belli was briefly on point until Craig Nieman stormed by to grad the lead. Behind him Tyler Rogers and Belli disputed second place.
Two cautions slowed the pace but on the restart Nieman took off with Tom Froggatt giving chase. Behind them Belli and Shayna Nieman were disputing third and fourth place.
Eventually Joe Pearson and Belli would pull onto the infield with problems. Up front Nieman scored the victory followed by Froggatt, Phil Marino and fourth place Shayna Nieman.
At the front straight victory celebration Nieman said, “The car was working good, was debating if I was going to make a change before the main event so I said, ‘oh heck, we’re going to leave it alone.’ The track was awesome, hooked up this car’s been working great and very happy with it.
Then he thanked Alan Schumacker with HB Trailer Supplies, Big Rob at Gunslinger Chassis, and his wife, which got a big laugh from her.
The Hobby Stock main was a two-car duel between leader Tom Haxall and Madison Hood. Lap after lap they were less than a car length apart from each other. In the end less than a second separated them at the checkered flag.
After the race Haxall noted this was his first victory as a senior citizen as he just turned 67 years old. Then he said, “The track is awesome, its really perfect and its fast. I’d like to thank my sponsors, mainly me and my old lady as she’s my crew chief tonight.”
The Mini Stock main was another two-car duel. Unfortunately there was no name listed for the runner up but that car chased Suzi Schmitt from green to checkered. They were just a bit spread out at the checkered flag but Schhmitt used a steady, fast drive to score the victory.
Next up were the Dwarf Cars and for them it was as much a test as it was a race. Two weeks from then they’ll be back for the annual Dwarf Car Nationals, a two-day event at the track.
One the green Dan Geil was on point but soon he had Joe Frock tailing him. They soon separated themselves from the pack and it became a two-car duel for the lead.
Finally after several laps Frock made his move and used an inside move to take the lead. After that he proceeded to put distance between himself and the others.
After the race Frock said, “The start was really good, we were kind of working the high line for a while then kind of get a break then we could run where ever we wanted. I kind of baited him one lap to make him to kind of move up and then open up the bottom. It was fun and the track was amazing.”
Then he thanked his sponsors, Damron Racing, R&J Landscaping, Wild Island, Zoomaluma Graphics, DRI, Nieman Metal Works, Pro Mechanix and Vossfab.
Although five Battle Born Winged Sprint Cars showed up due to problems only two were able to race in their main. Jeff Culver won with Orry Stevens second.
Next up for the track is the Dwarf Car Nationals, which is a Friday-Saturday event. Racing begins at 6 p.m. each day and they will be nights of speed and color as only Dwarf Cars provide.
REPORTER’S NOTE: The results are incomplete but this will probably solved as we move into the season.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Unfortunately due to various problems, the mid-May Northern Nevada Modified Tour has been postponed. The next step is to try and get a schedule worked out for later in the season. Apparently the tracks involved are coming up with special races to fill the gap in their schedule.
• Are you an experienced tech, looking for work well there is an opportunity. Moto-Source is hiring so please send a resume to Rich@moto-source.com.
• Teresa’s Garage is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In Northwest Nevada, and all the way to Susanville, the show can be heard on 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm and the show is also live on Face Book. Co-host Emily Cook has a website, www.emilycookracing.com where she has updates and sells merchandise to help fund her racing efforts.
SPONSOR LIST:
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We now have eight very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
Tread Connection is our newest sponsor and Blake Sobiloff owns the local franchise. The business brings the tire store to the customer so they don’t have to take time off work or even leave home.
Once the tires are ordered Sobiloff picks them up and arrives where the customer’s car is in a van packed with state of the art equipment. He observes all safety precautions and it’s no contact so tires can be chosen and paid for online.
Another service he provides is scanning tires as that will tell if any alignment is needed. A useful service for fleet owners so they won’t find several vehicles need new tires at once. There are discounts for First Responders, veterans as well as active duty military and members of the National Guard and Reserves.
His primary area is Reno and Sparks and one can either go to the Face Book page or check the website at www.treadconnection.com. The direct line to the business is 775-870-3600.
Next sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series.
Among the services offers are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and how has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
Racing photographer Melissa Coker is another sponsor. If you raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
She’s also been at the Duel in the Desert, Northern Nevada Modified Tour, Wild West Tour and the IMCA Super Nationals. She produces hero cards and memory books. To see her collections or to place an order check at www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). 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.
The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want. The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. 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.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. You can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
RESULTS:
American Valley Speedway – May 1
IMCA A Modifieds:
+ Main: 1. Chris Olexwicz, 2.Richard Papenhausen, 3. Walter Ball, 4. Mark Skender, 5. Joe Blackwell, 6.Erica Charmichael, 7. Chris Lewis, 8. James Riggs.
IMCA Sport Mods:
+ Main: 1. Craig Nieman, 2. Tom Froggart, 3. Phil Marino, 4. Shayna Nieman, 5. Hunter Merrott, 6. Jake Hutson, 7. Rusty Stokes, 8. Bruyce, 9. Joe Pearson.
Hobby Stocks:
+ Main: 1. Tom Haxall, 2. Madison Hood, 3. Branda Davidson, 4. David Wood, 5. Brian Lewis.
Mini Stocks:
+ Main: 1. Suzi Schmit, 2. 3D, 3. Johnny Moya, 4. Jason Story, 5. Megan Hull, 6. Colby Russel, 7. Juanita, 8. Luke Colette.
Dwarf Cars (Partial List):
+ Main: 1. Joe Frock, 2. Dan Geil.
Sprint Car Main: 1.Jeff Culver, 2. Orry Stevens.
