7/1/2018
Silver Dollar Speedway
Brian Cooper Picks up Third Win of Season
Silver Dollar Speedway
Phone: (530) 350-7275
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Forsberg Wins Close Finish at Chico
Chico, CA (June 29, 2018) – The finish of the 25-lap winged 360 sprint car main event was breathtakingly close. In fact, depending on where you were sitting or standing, an argument could have been made that all three drivers crossing the finish line could have been declared the winner.
What set up the amazing finish was the final lap duel between Tanner Carrick and Andy Forsberg. Carrick, in search of this first career winged sprint car win, led the field to the white flag. Going into turn one, Andy Forsberg, who led the first 15 laps, dove to the inside of Carrick. The two banged wheels but kept going. Forsberg emerged as the leader. Going into turn three Forsberg went to the top while Carrick dove to the bottom and began to slide up towards the top. In a situation where both drivers where going for the win and neither of them lifted their foot off the gas pedal, once again they made contact sending Carrick upside down and Forsberg down the embankment with a beaten and battered car. As Forsberg gathered his car and pointed it towards the finish line, both Tanner Thorson and Michael Kofoid had a head of steam and charged in unison towards the finish line. The three cars seemed to cross at the same exact time to the naked eye. Looking at the official computer system, Forsberg was the first to cross the line, followed by Thorson and Kofoid.
Thorson’s charge back towards the front was epic. On lap one him and Forsberg bumped going into turn three, sending Thorson off the edge of track. While Thorson did continue, he was deep in the field. For him to charge to second and have a chance to win was remarkable.
Impressive is an understatement to describe Kofoid’s charge to the front. Motor issues plagued his qualifying and heat race results. Thus, he started dead last in 17th spot. Throughout the main event, Kofoid showed the maturity of a veteran and the speed of his youthful and smooth driving style. Him and his team should be proud of their effort to finish third.
While the focus was on the final lap and a few of the drivers who were able to charge towards the front, Mason Moore once again put in a consistent night and finished fourth. Australian Jamie Cobby, first start at Chico since 2002, finished fifth in the main event. Cobby also won the second heat race of the night. Shawn Conde won the third heat. Carrick captured the win in heat one. Thorson turned an 11.860 in qualifying to earn the fast time honors.
As good as the sprint car feature was, the IMCA Sport Mods main event was spectacular also. This division is as good as it has ever been. Phil Marino led for most of the race. Yet, on lap 15 he sat helpless in turn four. This gave the lead to Brian Cooper. Following him was Phillip Shelby and Andrew Peckham. Throw in Tyler Rodgers and Damian Merritt and Jake Van Tol into this mix and the there was great racing for a top five finish. The final lap saw Peckham drive around Shelby for the second spot. Up front Cooper led the final lap and picked up his third win this season at Chico. Rodgers finished in the fourth spot. Mike Merritt won the first heat while Marino earned the win in heat race two. Once again, the IMCA Sport Mods at Chico are a staple and continue to prove how great of racers compete in the division.
Corey Hall credited his crew for his win in tonight’s 20-lap Street Stock main event. Yet, we need to give credit to Hall, who by all accounts is on track to win this year’s championship. Hall secured his third win of 2018 at Chico. Birthday boy, Brent Lawrence, drove a solid race. Lawrence was 2.502 seconds behind Hall at the line. Clinton Earl, professional plumber and all around good guy, finished in the third spot. Richard Workman rounded out the top four. Earl won the eight-lap heat race.
Ron LaPlant picked up win number two this season at Chico in the wingless sprints division. The race was solid gold as Casey McClain and Terry Schank Jr. drove an almost perfect race. Both drivers are as good as it gets in the division. McClain and Schank Jr. made a late race charge to try and pass LaPlant. But LaPlant led 19 laps to get the popular win. Point leader Tony Richards came home fourth. Richards continues to have a solid season. Braedon Enos finished fifth. Schank won the lone heat race for the division.
Full results posted at https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/1551253
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