Post by sheriberibebop on Jul 18, 2016 20:18:12 GMT
Saturday night July 16, saw a great night of short track racing, at Ventura Raceway. With the second 2016 ARP Battle at the Beach race highlighting the night, race fans were there to see who would take the next win in this series within a series that will crown the King of the Beach in November. Competition in every class was very close and hard fought throughout the night's events.
In VRA 360 Sprints, a field of 14 cars signed into the pits for this the second ARP Battle at the Beach for 2016. The night saw Troy Rutherford take the 30 lap main event win over Rick Hendrix, with 2014 VRA Sprint Car series champion and first 2016 Battle at the Beach race winner, Kyle Smith, finishing third to maintain his point lead in this series within a series. It was a night that saw exciting racing in this special event. In the end it was Rutherford taking the $1,500 winner's check and the special trophy that goes with a Battle at the Beach win over Hendrix, Smith, Jeremy Ellertson and Hobie Conway. Their two heat race wins went to Rutherford and Hendrix. Rick Hendrix now is leading in the point race by 295 points over Guy Woodward and 320 points over Austin Figueroa after ten races.
VRA Dwarf Cars returned to action Saturday with past champ Johnny Conley leading 12 of the 20 lap main to take his seventh win of 2016. Conley's win was over Nick Velasquez, Tommy Velasquez III, Tim Conley and David Conley. Their three heat races went to Tim Conley, Tommy Velasquez III and Gage Cheek. There were 19 dwarf cars signed in for the night's action. Ten races into the season finds Johnny Conley leading Jeff Fillingame and Tommy Velasquez III, who are both tied at 2nd by 85 points.
IMCA Modified action saw Aaron Rodarte beat Chris Crompe and Aaron’s brother Austin to the line to take the 20 lap feature win. Following them to the finish line were Danny Lauer and Luis Espinosa. There were two heat races run, with wins going to Austin Rodarte and Chris Crompe. Jack Parker now leads Andrew Greiman by 7 points after ten races in 2016. .
VRA Senior Sprints were on hand with eleven cars signed into the pits. Steve Brown took the 20 lap feature win over points leader Chris Meredith, Wally Pankratz, Clif Warren and Ron Bach. Two heat races were run with wins going to Ron Bach and Chris Meredith. After six races, Chris Meredith leads Steve Brown by 65 points.
Hobby Stocks made their return with eight cars competing in their 20 lap main event. The win went to season point leader, Trevor Fitzgibbon, making it six in a row for this fine driver. He led Zach Peterson, Mike Stanford, Sam Garvin and Christina Garvin to the finish line. Their one heat race win went to Fitzgibbon who now leads Mike Stanford by 230 points after 8 races.
The final group racing Saturday night was the VRA Go Karts. Only four karts took to the track for their 12 lap main event. Past champion Kenny Byers Jr., took the win over David Pankratz, Ken Ito and Henry Ito. Pankratz took their one heat race.
Ventura Raceway continues its 2016 season next Saturday July 23, with the next Flat Track/Speedway event. On that night, we will salute the memory of rider A J Herrera with several special activities and an added purse for the pro division riders. It will be a special night of racing that fans are sure to enjoy.
-Cliff Morgan
In VRA 360 Sprints, a field of 14 cars signed into the pits for this the second ARP Battle at the Beach for 2016. The night saw Troy Rutherford take the 30 lap main event win over Rick Hendrix, with 2014 VRA Sprint Car series champion and first 2016 Battle at the Beach race winner, Kyle Smith, finishing third to maintain his point lead in this series within a series. It was a night that saw exciting racing in this special event. In the end it was Rutherford taking the $1,500 winner's check and the special trophy that goes with a Battle at the Beach win over Hendrix, Smith, Jeremy Ellertson and Hobie Conway. Their two heat race wins went to Rutherford and Hendrix. Rick Hendrix now is leading in the point race by 295 points over Guy Woodward and 320 points over Austin Figueroa after ten races.
VRA Dwarf Cars returned to action Saturday with past champ Johnny Conley leading 12 of the 20 lap main to take his seventh win of 2016. Conley's win was over Nick Velasquez, Tommy Velasquez III, Tim Conley and David Conley. Their three heat races went to Tim Conley, Tommy Velasquez III and Gage Cheek. There were 19 dwarf cars signed in for the night's action. Ten races into the season finds Johnny Conley leading Jeff Fillingame and Tommy Velasquez III, who are both tied at 2nd by 85 points.
IMCA Modified action saw Aaron Rodarte beat Chris Crompe and Aaron’s brother Austin to the line to take the 20 lap feature win. Following them to the finish line were Danny Lauer and Luis Espinosa. There were two heat races run, with wins going to Austin Rodarte and Chris Crompe. Jack Parker now leads Andrew Greiman by 7 points after ten races in 2016. .
VRA Senior Sprints were on hand with eleven cars signed into the pits. Steve Brown took the 20 lap feature win over points leader Chris Meredith, Wally Pankratz, Clif Warren and Ron Bach. Two heat races were run with wins going to Ron Bach and Chris Meredith. After six races, Chris Meredith leads Steve Brown by 65 points.
Hobby Stocks made their return with eight cars competing in their 20 lap main event. The win went to season point leader, Trevor Fitzgibbon, making it six in a row for this fine driver. He led Zach Peterson, Mike Stanford, Sam Garvin and Christina Garvin to the finish line. Their one heat race win went to Fitzgibbon who now leads Mike Stanford by 230 points after 8 races.
The final group racing Saturday night was the VRA Go Karts. Only four karts took to the track for their 12 lap main event. Past champion Kenny Byers Jr., took the win over David Pankratz, Ken Ito and Henry Ito. Pankratz took their one heat race.
Ventura Raceway continues its 2016 season next Saturday July 23, with the next Flat Track/Speedway event. On that night, we will salute the memory of rider A J Herrera with several special activities and an added purse for the pro division riders. It will be a special night of racing that fans are sure to enjoy.
-Cliff Morgan