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Laplant Makes Right Move to Win Race

CHICO, CA (3-29-13) - The Perma-Zyme Friday night wingless point series started off with a bang as Oroville's Ron Laplant passed Anderson's Rowdy McClenon at the half way point of the main event and went on to win the exciting race. Laplant, driving the Reef's Racing Engines, Nor-Cal Performance, MJ Shelton #69, used the track to his advantage when he made the spectacular move in the main event. Earlier in the night, McClenon dominated the heat race and seemed to be poised to win the feature event after earning the right to start on the front the row. Once McClenon jumped out to the early lead it seemed as if he was going to be unbeatable on this night. Yet, Laplant never gave up and was able to pass McClenon's Hot Rods to Hell #13. Chico's Taylor Nelson ran in the third spot for most of the night. His Spencer Automotive, Chico Home Stagging, Kevin Sharrah Designs #74 was competitive all night. Raymond Benkowski of Yuba City came home in the fourth spot. Benkowski is going to race wingless and dirt modifieds at the speedway during the 2013 season.

Defending street stock champion Jake Vantol picked up where he last left off in 2012. Vantol passed Chico's Mike Slightom early in the race and then went on to win the first main event of the season. Vantol held off former two-time champion Phil Marino at the checkered flag. Unfortunately for Marino and Bill Hall, a post-race inspection found illegal parts and disqualified both drivers from the main event. Slightom was awarded with the second place finish. Shawn Smith and Richard Workman were scored in the third and fourth spots. Gary Newman started ninth and finished fifth. Kevin Ward won the first heat race. Ward was in contention during the main event but something let go in the #52k that ended his night prematurely. Richard Workman won the second heat race.

All eyes were on Tony Richards of Orland to win the Economy Winged Sprint car main event. He dominated the lone heat race earlier in the night and built up a big lead in the beginning stages of the feature. However, with a few laps to go something broke in the front end of Richards car and he ended up sliding into the infield and came to a stop. Just as that happened a red was needed when Jason Standley and Dusty Barton bumped in turn four and Standley rolled over. Doug Emory of Glenn assumed the lead position with two laps to go. Emory drove the wheels off the Smalley #96 and won his first feature in the division. Kyle Standley finished in the second spot and Cameron Haney was third.

Misty Castleberry clean swept the opening night of Mini Stock racing at Chico. She passed Shaun Merritt with a few laps to go in the heat race and then went on to lead wire-to-wire in the main event. Castleberry is gaining a strong following in Chico driving here familiar stars and stripes #95 sponsored by Performance Auto Supply. Shaun Merritt was the closest challenger all night to Castleberry. He finished second to her in both the heat race and main event. Rookie driver Brad Hysell of Cottonwood came home with a third place finish. James Foster finished in the fourth spot while another rookie, Chico's Ryan Cherezian came home fifth.

Full results available at www.silverdollarspeedway.com

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