WIND OR RACING--WHICH WAS FASTER?
By Sandy Combs
5-1-10
The racing of course and it was a lot more fun to watch and
everyone stayed and were treated to a great show. Five classes with something
for everyone and done by 10:30. If you missed it you missed alot!
The NADCAR Dwarf cars were out in force and 27 of them signed in to do battle
and that they did. Four heats, a semi and a 20 lap feature and almost all could
still be driven onto the trailers. What more could you ask for? 19 of the 20
starters were still on the track at the checkered and all were driving hard and
fast. Brian Comley took the lead first from his pole starting spot with Ryan
Henesey and Helen Henesey in hot pursuit. By lap four Mike Williams had gained
the third spot and by the half way mark the leaders were in traffic and Williams
had gained another spot and was now in second behind Comley. One lap after half
way Williams took over putting Comley to second with Ryan Henesey in third. The
only yellow of the affair came at lap 12 when Mike Moyer needed assistance in
turn three. After the yellow Mike Dunn took second with Pat Henesey in third as
Comley and Ryan Henesey took an infield turn. Williams went on to win ahead of
Dunn, Tim Cotherman, P. Henesey and John Ogden. Rounding out the top ten were
Mike Bracy, Steve Kapaun, Comley, Helen Henesey and Matt Decker. Trophies were
provided by Coconino Motors and Napa Car Care Center of Flagstaff.
The Southwest Modlites made their first visit of 2010 signing in 21 little mods.
At feature time they had 20 on the track and 18 finished at the checkereds. Nick
Parker led the pack to lap 12. Laps 4 and 8 saw yellows for minor collisions and
debris on the track. Nick Gann trailed Parker to lap six and then Landon Cling
took over the second spot. That lasted only two laps when Andy Eatwell got by
Cling and then put the pressure on Parker. Eatwell took the lead at lap eleven
and lap twelve Parker grabbed it back. Lap 13 saw Eatwell put on another charge
and take the lead again. On lap 14 Parker who was running in second spun and the
yellow flew. Then it was a six lap dash to the win. Eatwell barely edged out
Cling for the win. Third went to Bryan Miller ahead of Bud Grossenbacher and
Tony Evans. Finishing out the top ten were N. Gann, MIke Martin, David Levitt,
AJ Martin and Mark Julian. Their trophies were sponsored by San Tan Ford.
Five yellows plaqued the scheduled 20 lap feature for the IMCA Modifieds but
time ran out and only 16 laps were completed. Scott Smith took the initial lead
holding off Jim MacNeil and George Fronsman. Fronsman took second from MacNeil
at lap three and then went after Smith. MacNeil left the track at lap four
missing a driveshaft. THis gave third to Jim Collinsworth. Steve Stultz was the
yellow at lap eight, lap nine the yellow went to Fritz Croy and lap ten debris
caused the yellow. At half way Fronsman took over the lead. Lap 13 saw Chris
Weimer become the yellow setting up only a three lap dash to the end of time.
Fronsman hung on for the big win ahead of Smith, D.J. Wood, Jeff Stafford and
Stultz. Croy, RYan Roath, Phil Baillie, Collinsworth and David Brinkley
completed the top ten. Trophies were provided by Gecko Automotive Glass.
I think the Pure Stocks were afraid of the cold as only 12 cars showed to race
but race they did with yellows and even a spectacular red. Eddie Bogan drew the
front row and jumped into the lead at the green holding back Pappy Ricketts and
George Fronsman. Fronsman started in the 12th spot and was to third by lap
three. Lap six the yellow flew for debris on the track. By this yellow the
leaders were already lapping cars. Mike Colclasure grabbed second at lap three
and at lap seven he was in front of the pack. At half way Fronsman caught
Colclasure with Bogan in third. Colclasure led to lap 16 and then Fronsman took
the lead for one lap and the next lap Colclasure took it back again as the two
got together in turn one and Fronsman spun but kept going. Lap 18 was a red as
Fronsman and Bogan touched. It appeared Fronsman car broke and it sent him into
the front wall and he rode it on his side to past the flagstand as sparks, smoke
and parts flew everywhere. Bogan had been in second spot but the officials chose
to send Colclasure to the rear giving Bogan the lead and he took it in for the
win. Steve Shumaker took second ahead of John Hough, Ricketts and Colclasure.
Making the rest of the top ten were Kyle Daugherty, Amy Edwards, Fronsman, Scott
Kleintop and Ron Percival. Tri City Towing sponsored the trophies.
The seven car Challenge Cup Sprint feature had a really tough start as two
restarts were needed. First restart saw Johnny Shelton spin and second restart
had Art Mankel III and Chris Beal get together on the back chute eliminating
both cars. So five cars took the green for 15 laps. Brian Swinehart led it all
the way but Fritz Croy was the car to watch as he steadily worked his way to the
front. Five laps down he was in third and ten laps down to second. Swinehart
took the win ahead of Croy, Dan Bauman, Shelton and Larry Gibson. Gecko
Automotive Glass sponsored the trophies.