6/17/2018
Silver Dollar Speedway
Hirst is a 4-Time Tarter Champ
Silver Dollar Speedway
Phone: (530) 350-7275
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hirst is a Four-Time Tarter Memorial Winner
Chico, CA (June 15, 2018) …. Paradise driver Kyle Hirst picked up his 31st career win at Silver Dollar Speedway Friday night. More importantly, he won his fourth David Tarter Memorial in grand fashion by pocketing the $3,500 winners pay day. It was his third Tarter win in a row. “This has been a great race for me and to continue to win it in honor of David is very cool,� said Hirst in victory lane. Other winners included Matt Micheli of Live Oak who won the Street Stock feature, Redding’s Casey McClain in the wingless sprints and Maryville’s Brian Cooper during the 20-lap IMCA Sport Mod main event.
The Speedway would like to thank Howard and Shelly Tarter for their continued support of this event in honor of their son, David. This event was the 6th Annual David Tarter Memorial. With the help from the Tarter family and sponsors, the sprint car drivers were able to race for about $3500 extra tonight.
Willie Croft started the night off by turning the fastest lap in qualifying at a 12.136. Croft bested 23 other drivers to earn the $500 bonus from Kyle Larson Racing. At the start of the 35-lap main event, Croft was also up front and leading. In fact, Croft was so good that at one point he lapped up to 14th spot during the first 13-laps of the non-stop event. However, on lap 14, Croft and Cody Hodgson came together just past the flag stand on the front stretch. The contact sent Croft spinning around wildly while Hodgson flipped violently end over end until he finally stopped in the foam barrier blocks off turn one. There was definite concern for both drivers, but each were able to climb from their cars and walk away.
The restart saw Sean Becker with the lead. Kyle Hirst had worked his way up from his seventh starting spot and began to attack Becker for the lead. Hirst slid Becker going into turn three and drifted up in front of him in turn four. Becker hit the brakes and tried to turn back to the inside of Hirst but unfortunately began to spin down across the banking. Becker had to stop his car and sat helpless facing the wrong way in turn four.
Hirst was up front, and no one was able to touch him. While lapped traffic did provide some drama it was Hirst who negotiated it the best. Behind him the battle between Colby Copeland and Andy Forsberg was exciting. Each driver trying to out think the other. As the white flag was displayed Hirst had every reason to think he was going to win. Yet, Kalib Henry came to a stop in the back stretch and this brought out the yellow. On the next restart, Hirst led again and received another white flag but this time Brad Bumgarner and Michael Ing flipped in turn one. A red was waived on the track and Hirst would need to attempt a third restart to get the win. In true championship form, Hirst never bobbled and finally crossed the start finish line with the checkered flag waiving. Copeland held on to second and Forsberg third. Give Ryan Robinson credit as he started 14th and drove a smooth, clean race. Robinson finished fourth. Yet it was 17th place starting driver Michael Kofoid that passed the most cars and finished fifth. He will receive the hard charger award. Becker rebounded to finish six. Mason Moore rounded out the top seven.
Hunter Merritt led the first eight laps of the exciting IMCA Sport Mod main event. A few yellows slowed the early part of the race. On lap nine Phil Marino grabbed the lead. Another series of yellows allowed Marino to keep the lead. On lap 14, Brian Cooper, who started eighth, methodically passed drivers and moved into the lead. Cooper has passed Marino earlier in the race, but yellows came out and the field was reverted to the previous lap. It was Cooper’s second win of the season at Chico. In victory lane it was a special moment as signs were made that said we love and miss you Cy, Cooper’s son, who is enlisted with the Army. Marino hung on to finish second. Ninth place starting Andrew Peckham charged towards the front and finished third. After leading the first part of the race, Merritt finished fourth. Fifth place went to Mike Merritt.
Corey Hall started the stock car main event by jumping into the lead of their 20-lap main event. Hall is also the point leader and would be tough to pass. Yet, just past the half way point both Hall and second place at the time Devin Koranda would have issues. This bolted Matt Micheli to the top spot. Micheli, known as a former dirt modified champion, looked cool, calm and collected up front. Micheli looked good up front and went on win the feature. Richard Workman started fifth but by the end of the show he finished second. Leif Berglund finished strong and came home with a third-place finish. Fourth went to Koranda while Hall came home fifth.
Braedon Enos led the first 12-laps of the wingless sprint car main event. However, Enos would come to a stop in turn one ending his chances at the win. Sixth place starting Casey McClain was the new leader. A series of yellows really dragged on and slowed the event. Also, numerous cars exited the track leaving officials with little choice but to shorten the race to 15-laps. McClain is a solid driver. He is a champion at Cycleland Speedway, he has shown that he has the skills to wheel a sprint car and tonight it was nice to see him in victory lane. Brett Youngman survived the chaos and finished second. The third and final car running at the end was Brian Grosenheider.
Tonight’s results are available at speedhive.com
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