Post by Admin on May 24, 2016 5:38:15 GMT
The USAC Midgets returned to Ventura Raceway Saturday night May 21, and quite a show it was! Twenty-eight of these high speed machines raced around Ventura's 1/5 mile clay oval in front of a crowd who showed their appreciation for their return. Racing in the other divisions present was also fast and furious. Also competing that night were VRA Pro Dwarf Cars, Focus Midgets, VRA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and Go Karts.
In USAC Midgets, defending USAC Western States Midget Champion, Ronnie Gardner, who had won the first two USAC events in 2016 took the lead in their 30 lap feature from his pole position starting spot and was never headed. Gardner had also set fast time in qualifications at 12.455 seconds. The 30 lap feature saw hard fought battles back in the pack as they chased Gardner. When all was said and done Gardner led Cory Elliot, Frankie Guerini III, Michael Facinto and Troy Rutherford to the finish. The good car count necessitated four heat races which were won by Ronnie Gardner, Cory Elliot, Richard Vanderweerd and Darren Hagen. They also ran a 13 lap semi main which went to Tyler Dolacki. The midget drivers all worked hard to learn the Ventura oval in preparation of the much anticipated Turkey Night Grand Prix set to take place November.
VRA Dwarf Cars returned to action Saturday with past champ Johnny Conley once again taking the 20 lap main, to take his fourth win of 2016. Conley's win was over Tom Stephens Jr., Tommy Velasquez III, Trenton Morley and point leader Jeff Fillingame. Their three heat races went to Mike Smith, Johnny Conley and D J Lebow. The 1 lap semi main went to Jeff Fillingame. There were 23 dwarf cars signed in for the night's action.
IMCA Modified action saw past VRA Sprint Car Series Champion, Luis Espinoza take his first IMCA Modified win over a field of nine modifieds. Following Espinoza to the line were Austin Rodarte, Andrew Greiman, Mike Spencer and Jack Parker. There were two heat races run, with the wins going to Austin Rodarte and Mike Spencer. Austin Rodarte now leads Jack Parker by 12 points.
VRA Focus Midgets saw a driver take his first ever win. Mike Leach drove a great race to get his first career win in the 15 lap main event. Following him to the finish line were past champion, Ashley Hazleton, Daniel Anderson, Wally Pankratz and Phil Schack. Daniel Anderson took their one heat race.
VRA Hobby Stocks were in action Saturday night as well. Once again, Trevor Fitzgibbon took the win over Ernie Malone, Mike Stanford, Gary Garvin and Devin Montgomery. Fitzgibbon also took their one heat race. .
The final group racing Saturday night was our VRA Go Karts. Henry Ito dominated the feature to take the win over Kenny Byers Jr., David Pankratz, Ernie Raper and Greg Lewis. 2015 series champ Justin Raper took their one heat race win.
Ventura Raceway continues its 2016 season on June 4, with the first of the 2016 Battle At The Beach Races sponsored by ARP. Next Saturday May 28, will be a dark night. On the card June 4, will be VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds and California Lightning Sprints.
Cliff Morgan
In USAC Midgets, defending USAC Western States Midget Champion, Ronnie Gardner, who had won the first two USAC events in 2016 took the lead in their 30 lap feature from his pole position starting spot and was never headed. Gardner had also set fast time in qualifications at 12.455 seconds. The 30 lap feature saw hard fought battles back in the pack as they chased Gardner. When all was said and done Gardner led Cory Elliot, Frankie Guerini III, Michael Facinto and Troy Rutherford to the finish. The good car count necessitated four heat races which were won by Ronnie Gardner, Cory Elliot, Richard Vanderweerd and Darren Hagen. They also ran a 13 lap semi main which went to Tyler Dolacki. The midget drivers all worked hard to learn the Ventura oval in preparation of the much anticipated Turkey Night Grand Prix set to take place November.
VRA Dwarf Cars returned to action Saturday with past champ Johnny Conley once again taking the 20 lap main, to take his fourth win of 2016. Conley's win was over Tom Stephens Jr., Tommy Velasquez III, Trenton Morley and point leader Jeff Fillingame. Their three heat races went to Mike Smith, Johnny Conley and D J Lebow. The 1 lap semi main went to Jeff Fillingame. There were 23 dwarf cars signed in for the night's action.
IMCA Modified action saw past VRA Sprint Car Series Champion, Luis Espinoza take his first IMCA Modified win over a field of nine modifieds. Following Espinoza to the line were Austin Rodarte, Andrew Greiman, Mike Spencer and Jack Parker. There were two heat races run, with the wins going to Austin Rodarte and Mike Spencer. Austin Rodarte now leads Jack Parker by 12 points.
VRA Focus Midgets saw a driver take his first ever win. Mike Leach drove a great race to get his first career win in the 15 lap main event. Following him to the finish line were past champion, Ashley Hazleton, Daniel Anderson, Wally Pankratz and Phil Schack. Daniel Anderson took their one heat race.
VRA Hobby Stocks were in action Saturday night as well. Once again, Trevor Fitzgibbon took the win over Ernie Malone, Mike Stanford, Gary Garvin and Devin Montgomery. Fitzgibbon also took their one heat race. .
The final group racing Saturday night was our VRA Go Karts. Henry Ito dominated the feature to take the win over Kenny Byers Jr., David Pankratz, Ernie Raper and Greg Lewis. 2015 series champ Justin Raper took their one heat race win.
Ventura Raceway continues its 2016 season on June 4, with the first of the 2016 Battle At The Beach Races sponsored by ARP. Next Saturday May 28, will be a dark night. On the card June 4, will be VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds and California Lightning Sprints.
Cliff Morgan