6/10/2011
Silver Dollar Speedway
Jimmy Ford Wins in Dramatic Fashion at Chico
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Photo by Steven Cox [sprintcarphotos.com][/caption]CHICO, CA (6-10-11) -Â It was the best of both worlds. The inaugural Mini Stock challenge at Silver Dollar Speedway produced a great car count and amazing side by side racing Friday night June 10. A total of 20 mini stocks converged on the famed quarter-mile clay oval speedway and put on a show for the ages. The drivers provided great racing and exciting finishes. When it was all said and done, Jimmy Ford won the 20-lap main event. The main event provided numerous leaders and an altercation that changed the outcome of the race.
Derik Gallier led the field to the green flag. Gallier started on the pole position and was able to beat James Foster into turn one. Gallier looked comfortable up front and soon was engaged in getting around slower traffic. However, Misty Castleberry was on the charge. Castleberry lined up in the seventh spot and by the half way point she closed in on Gallier. Soon it was Castleberry's turn to the lead the race. Once she got around Gallier she opened up her lead to 1.7 seconds. Then disaster struck for Castleberry. Castleberry passed Kyle Cheney going into turn one to put Cheney down one lap. Going through turns one and two, Cheney seemed to never lift and spun around Castleberry. This sent the leader around and out of the win. Castleberry got herself turned around and headed in the right direction.
Gallier inherited the lead once again. With laps winding down the driver that was now on the move was Jimmy Ford. Ford had started in the six spot. On lap 18 Ford pulled to within striking distance on Gallier. As the two raced side by side, Ford was able to get around Gallier and lead the race coming down to the white flag. Gallier never gave up. He kept the pressure on Ford and coming out of turn four with the checkered in the air, Gallier made one last attempt to win. Yet, his charge was about a half car length too little and Ford crossed the line 0.8 seconds ahead of Gallier. It was an amazing finish and Ford should be proud to get the hard fought win.
Ford also picked up the second heat race win. Mark Hill was victorious in the first heat. I have to say that the drivers in this division need to be commended for their timely line ups and great racing. It was a pleasure to have them here and they should all be looking forward to their next races at the speedway on July 8th and August 5th.
Heat 1: Mark Hill, Shaun Merritt, Derik Gallier, Misty Castleberry, Howard Law
Heat 2: Jimmy Ford, Jason Clayton, James Foster, Bill Patterson, Kyle Cheney
A Main: Ford, Gallier, Jim Davis, Law, Kenny Drew, Castleberry, Cheney, Sean Perry, Clayton, John Blevins, James Foster, Patterson, A.R. Stradan Jr., Alan Furuta, Merritt, Jared Flower, Hill
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