RENO, NV (June 19) – Father’s Day had an oval track race Saturday followed the next day by a huge show and shine at the Bonanza Casino.
REPORTER’S NOTE: Due to computer problems the scoring crew was unable to post the results when this article was posted.
Saturday began up at Susanville, California when Diamond Mountain Speedway hosted the next round of its season.
During the intermission, since it was Father’s Day there was a meet and greet on the front straight. Not only were the youngsters invited to meet the drivers but they even brought their own kids to the gathering.
After that it was time for the Street Stock dash. From green to checkered flag it was all Don Dieter. Up front from the start, after a quick caution and not only took the checkered flag but was handed the $100 bonus by Grayson Olschowka.
After a quick watering the Sport Mods took the track for their main. First on point was Cole Olexiewicz with Tyler Rogers giving chase. After a quick caution Olexiewiz took off again but this time Rodgers grabbed the lead after a lap.
From that point on it was all Rodgers race as he reached the checkered flag first.
At the awards ceremony winner he said, “It was good, once I got out front on this track it was going to be hard to pass me.”
Then he thanked his parents, Kims Automotive, Uncle Mac, Flip Motorsports and Daily Top Notch.
Next up were the Mini Stocks and after it took two attempts to get the race going. On point was (Name was unlisdted) with Anthony Hovland and Cooper Lee giving chase.
As the race wound down Lee caught the leader and the chase was on. Finally using the outside line Lee managed to take the lead with only a few laps led and he scored the victory but it wasn’t easy.
“It was tough, the track was really slicked out but the top, you could really stay on the gas a long time so it was just kind of hard with one lane,” Lee said. “Towards the end the guy that was leading kind of hit a rut that took his car off where we were running. “I just kind of snuck past him and stayed out front those last couple of laps.
Then he thanked Old Iron Powder Coating, Fast Glass, Grandpa’s Garage and every that had helped him.
There was a pretty good field for the IMCA Modified feature. On the green Vince Evenson and Scott Foreman took off. Shortly after that three cars had contact and spun in Turn 4.
Four more cautions slowed the race and bunched the cars. Every time the green came out Evenson took off while the next two cars were disputing second place.
After winning Evenson said, “It was a little tiring to be honest. The track was a little slicker than I wanted it to be so just trying to figure out where the fast line was going to be, just a different feel.
“The track was perfect in my opinion, there was a big run in three and four but I had no issues as I stayed away from it.”
Then he thanked Paul and Joyce Hewitt from Hewitt Consulting, DeVilbiss Racing Chassis, Simmons Motorsports, Reno Rock and Paris Archie and his dad Steven and Mom Jamie.
Street Stocks were the next feature. When the green waved Randy Boyd took off and was chased by Royce Goetz and 2.
After the second caution Goetz was joined by his teammate Carl Barlow and they started to dispute second. This allowed Boyd to extend his lead
The wheels fell off when cars of Dieter and another tangled in Turn 2. The crash also caught Olschowka but he only suffered a flat.
The Red Flag was thrown as the track crew rushed to check on the drivers. Dieter’s car had the right side of its body work ripped off while 55 suffered front end damage, in it lost its nose piece.
Fortunately all the safety things cars have now protected the drivers and they were not injured. All three cars were towed to the infield while the track was cleared of any debris.
Once the green waved again Boyd took off and was soon chased by Goetz while Barlow slipped back. They would finish in that order.
Asked if he knew how close the others were behind him Boydsaid, “That’s the problem with starting up front. You don’t know where they are so you just run like hell.
The track was nice, a little slick in three and four as long as you stayed on top, kept your momentum up it was pretty nice.”
Then he thanked his wife, father and family. He also added thanks to Royce Goetz Racing, ICON Pistons and every at the track.
The IMCA Stock Cars ended the night’s racing program. On the green Jeff Olschowka briefly was on point until Jacob Dias used the outside line to take the lead.
Soon Wade Kennemore took over second and the chase was on. Once he caught the leader Kennemore and Dias put on the race of the night; a long side-by-side duel.
Finally Kennemore was able to get the lead but Dias was still there. They started the final lap in a dead heat but something slowed Dias a bit so Kennemore claimed the victory.
At the awards ceremony drivers congratulated each other, shook hands and exchanged hugs.
Then the winner, said, “That kid drives his butt off. It was fun racing side-by-side but I wasn’t sure if I could get past him.
I was better getting off the corner than him. If I let him get down and block my line I wouldn’t have a chance.”
Then he thanked BM Fabrication, BT Pumps, Get Roasted Coffee Shop and mentioned that Kennemore Motorsports build their own cars.
Next event at Diamond Mountain is Tuesday, July 4th and the races begin at 4 p.m. The reason is that the track is the site of the town’s fireworks show, which happens after the final race.
• On Sunday the Bonanza Casino held its annual Father’s Day Show and Shine. As usually there were a large number of cars on display.
There were plenty of T-Buckets on display. And by the Casino building bands were playing while on the opposite side there were food trucks.
There was a Corvette row with several mid-engined models.
One owner brought his cherry 41 Willys drag racer for all to admire.
Probably the rarest car was a1975 Bricklin SV-1. The owner Lucas Weingraub said there were 2,800 built but only 800 remain.
“This one is number 2711 and they built 2800 before going out of business,” he said. “The never were designed, just built. Malcolm Bricklin, who is still alive, brought Subaru to this country years ago. Basically he wanted to build an affordable, key word was affordable vehicle and it was the SV-1.
Originally the car came in five colors and used color-impregnated acrylic bonded to fiberglass panels. This was all new back then so to check if the acrylic stuck to the panels they were hit by a hammer.
“That was quality control back in those days,” Weingraub said. “I’m the second owner and have had it for the past 41 years. Bought it second hand from a dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“At that time we lived on Long Island we drove it back and went directly to Bob Hoffman’s shop. He did some work on it, got rid of some of the acrylic fiberglass, put fiberglass reproductions on and now this car is painted.”
He described how the doors were originally operated by a hydraulic system but opening both would burn out the system as it had a single motor. A couple of changes were made and the car now uses an air system for the doors so there is a small compressor and air tank built into the car.
He’s also made a few more changes as the car originally had a 351 Winsor engine with a two-barrel carburetor. It now has a 4.6 liter engine and another transmission and both have electronic systems.
“It original weighed in at about 4,200 pounds due to the cast iron block and FMX transmission. The changes saves 600 pounds,” he said. “And now everything is electric and I carry a portable power supply. So if the battery is out there are connections so I can open the doors.”
Of course the next question was how it does on the road.
“It drives very well,” he said.
Now a Reno resident he plans to take the car to a few show. If one sees it you’re looking at one of the more unusual cars ever made.
REPORTER’S NOTE: I only planned on a few shots until I saw the Bricklin. Thought I had a shot of the entire cars, a cell phone screen can be hard to look at in sunlight. Have to apologize for not getting all of the car in the frame.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Big announcement this week. Due to the water and mud damage this coming weekend’s drag races have been canceled. That includes $5 Friday.
• Wednesday is another cruise in at the Sparks A&W, which is located across the street from Reed High School. Things start at 5 p.m. and there is a D.J. as well as prizes so come on down and see the cars
• Daveys Amercian Racing is usually on at 6 p.m. Wednesday evenings. One can see the show on Face Book and get into the chat was well.
Davey covers national series as well as racing in the western United States. His focus is on oval tracks.
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