Antioch, CA…The word is out about Antioch Speedway’s planned Fan Appreciation Night on August 5th. This will be a $5 ticket for each fan, plus bike giveaways and Hot Wheels for the kids and much more. We’ll be hearing more about that in the next couple of weeks, but we have a few more races to run before then.
On Saturday night, the Speedway will roar with the sound of race cars as the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks return along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, Print Club Mini Stocks and the 600 Micro Sprints. The point battles are heating up.
IMCA Sport Modified rookie Billy Garner #76 led most of his heat race before being passed by Jason Ryan Jr #52. Photo by Candice Martin
The closest battle at the speedway is being fought in the IMCA Sport Modified ranks. Pacheco’s Kenny Shrader has a knack for coming up big in the extra money shows. He has two wins in the Bill Bowers Memorial race and hopes for a third this October. Last Saturday night, he also picked up his third Hetrick Memorial victory and collected a $1,000 prize and a very nice trophy.
In addition to those goodies, Shrader moved into a tie with two-time winner Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley in the standings. Only a dozen points separate the Top 5 in this hotly contested contest, and any of them could emerge the champion. Three-time title winner Trevor Clymens of Brentwood is four points back in the third position, three ahead of Antioch’s Mark Garner and 12 ahead of reigning IMCA State champion Jacob Mallet Jr.
The rapidly improving Joseph Pato of Oakley is sixth in the standings, 14 points arrears of Mallet. He’s got a 40.point advantage over Antioch rookie Billy Garner. Billy is a past Hobby Stock Main Event winner and Top 10 ranked driver, but the fourth-generation racer is finding the Sport Modifieds a little more challenging.
Billy keeps coming at it with determination and is improving. Last time out, he led most of his heat race before being overtaken by point leader Ryan. Billy is further enjoying the fact that he gets to race with his father Mark this season.
Hobby Stock championship contender Ken Johns #32 and Todd Gomez #38 battle in a heat race. Photo by Candice Martin
Speaking of point leaders, Grayson Baca of Brentwood has collected three victories so far this year, keeping him 38 points ahead of Antioch’s Ken Johns In the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. Johns has a win this year. The nephew of Petaluma engine man and Sprint Car star Norm Johns is two points ahead of young gun Colten Haney of Brentwood and four in front of Kevin Brown of Oakley in a closer battle for second.
Unlike Johns, Haney and Brown have yet to win in this class, but both are getting closer with second place efforts this year. After his win last time out, Jared Baugh of Pittsburgh moved 10 points ahead of Aidan Ponciano and 18 points in front of Jess Paladino of Brentwood In a good battle for fifth.
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Championship hopeful Jason Robles #78 battles point leader Troy Foulger #49 in IMCA Stock Car complication. Photo by Candice Martin
t appears to be a two-car race for the IMCA Stock Car championship between six-time winner Troy Foulger of Oakley and last season’s point runner up Jason Robles of Rio Vista. Robles is coming off of back-to-back second place finishes to stay 24 points behind the leader.
Everybody else has fallen off the pace. Robles, who is part of the track prep crew and runs the heavy equipment, is hoping this will be the week he gets his first win of the season. He picked up two victories last year.
Two-time reigning champion Travis Dutra of Concord has a solid hold on third, 41 points ahead of Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista. Kenneth won the season opener, but his absence recently has moved Jeff Bentancourt of Brentwood to within eight points of fourth. Closing in on Bentanourt is Oakley’s Scott Foster, 20 points back in sixth.
Multi-time Orland Raceway Mini Stock champion Tom Davis #75 has been making his presence known in Antioch. Photo by Candice Martin
It’s a bit surprising to say this, but two-time reigning Print Club Mini Stock champion Tom Brown is still winless in Main Event competition, though he has collected four Top 5 finishes. He may need a win to keep Tom Davis of Los Molinos behind him. Despite missing a race, Davis has won four times and is just 18 points out of the lead, 18 ahead of season opener winner Dana Gardner of San Bruno.
Don Abitz of Pittsburgh is 30 points behind Gardner in the race for third, 28 ahead of rookie David Carson of Antioch. Carson could be seeing a challenge from Tony Quinones of Corning, who is 28 points back in the sixth position.
More cars are coming as Carson’s Teal Dragon Motorsports tries to get their second car ready and Dwarf Car star Roberto Monroy of Antioch has purchased a car to join the excitement.
The 600 Micro Sprint drivers have been reaching out to the track in an effort to get some race dates. Bad Attitude Motorsports teammates Don and Devin McLeister of Stockton are coming off of a 1-2 finish last month. The team is trying to convince others to come out and play. Don won the first race earlier this year.
Charlie Kight of Antioch had mechanical issues last time out, but he has supported both races. He’s anticipated this Saturday night as well. The track is hopeful more drivers will support this class, which is big in Dixon and Stockton and has been established on the bigger track in Petaluma in recent years.
There should be plenty of excitement on the track this Saturday night with some great fendered Stock Car action and the popular Sport Modifieds putting on a show.
The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00.
Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.
For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.
By Candice Martin
