8/20/2010
Silver Dollar Speedway
Sean Becker Wins Again
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Photos Steven Cox[/caption]
The drivers put on quite a show for the main event race. On lap seven, the first caution was brought out when drivers Kevin Sharrah, Seth Nunes and Clint Wilson were stopped in turn four after a spin. Robbie Whitchurch lost the lead on lap number eight to Becker and Becker dominated the remainder of the race. Lap nine brought out the second caution of the race when Brad Bumgarner had issues coming out of turn four and drivers Tyler Wolf and Cody Lamer ran into him. There were several laps of great racing until on lap 21 the caution flag flew again for Bumgarner stopping in turn two. Then, on lap 22, Kody Smith brought out the final caution when his car stopped in turn two.
The three heat races of the night were full of car-flipping drama. In heat race one, Danielle Simpson underwent a scary flip on the first lap which brought out a temporary red flag. Mason Moore, in the number 15 car, won the first heat race of the night to the adoring crowds who were there to support Moore. This past Sunday, Moore's cousin passed away at the young age of 32.
During heat race two, Mark Hall suffered a devastating crash after flipping in turn three and landing upside down on the speedway while only one lap later, driver John Michael Bunch faced a similar scenario when he flipped in turn one. Fortunately, both drivers were able to walk away from the crashes. Sean McMahan ended up winning heat race two, while Sean Becker proved his car's dominance by winning heat race three.
Jason York finished the night in fifth place, but had the fastest qualifying time of 11.587. He is the current point standings leader and looks to win his second track championship next Friday night,
Paradise driver Justin Funkhouser led all 20 laps to win the 11th and series finale for the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Shootout Series. Terry Schank Jr., of Santa Rosa was awarded the championship. It was an emotional win for Funkhouser. Earlier this season his father passed away. In victory lane he said, "dad would be proud." Victory lane was larger than usual as Funkhouser had about ten crew members decked out in new crew uniforms. On the back of them it read in memory of Bob Funkhouser. "I want to thank my family who has stuck behind me all year and this wonderful crew who helped me a lot tonight," said Funkhouser.
The 20-lap race was a smooth affair. Only two cautions slowed the well run race. Mitch Miller stopped his Miller Glass #51 on lap 10. On the restart Brett Youngman spun to a stop and the race was slowed again. Those were the only two yellows of the race. Funkhouser was the class the field up front. He was challenged by Jay Youngman during the early part of the event. Jeremy Hawes moved into the second spot on lap 10. Hawes applied plenty of pressure throughout the remaining laps but was never able to get around Funkhouser. Hawes finished in second spot. He was very strong and it would be nice to see the Marysville driver get some more Chico starts. Youngman held on for the third spot. Fourth place went to Billy Wallace while Cody Myers rounded out the top five. Taylor Simas was sixth, B.J. Martin was seventh.
Coming home in the eighth spot was Terry Schank Jr. He drives the series sponsors car. He is also the series champion. Schank Jr. capped off a great year with another top ten finish. Three wins, nine top five finishes and four heat wins were good enough for Schank Jr. to win the season long battle with Taylor Simas. This series was very successful and seemed to attract many driver and fan alike. This thing should be bigger and better in 2011.
Mitch Miller won the 10-lap B main event. Other drivers also transferring to the feature were Shannon Newton, Arvo Backholm, Johnny Reeves and Jimmy Pettit. B.J. Martin, Josh Vierra and Taylor Simas each won their heat races.
Travis Haugh is having quite the rookie year. Travis won his second main event of the year during the ASCS Midget series. Haugh's father, Rick, won a track championship in 1987 and Travis is doing a nice job following in his footsteps. Haugh thanked his grandfather,dad and whole family who was with him in victory lane. Mason Moore, subbing for Dillon Silverman, finished in the second spot. It was Moore's fourth start in a midget. Lonnie Alton came home in the third spot. JR Williams and Tom Doherty rounded out the field. Haugh did a wonderful job in winning the 12-lap race. Mason Moore won the lone heat race of the night for the division.