A few shining stars emerged Saturday evening at Champion Speedway, as six divisions raced for points in what has become exciting competition in several classes.
In just his third race of the season, newcomer Kenny Crome (father of young Katie Crome in the Legends division) turned in the fourth-fast qualifying time in the Late Model Sportsman division.
Crome raced with Joel Worley, Al Goss and Chet Danburg for the trophy in a 4-lap race. Holding off a last lap charge from Worley, Crome crossed the finish line to his first-ever trophy dash win.
"It was just awesome," Crome said with a larger than life smile.
After trophy dash presentations, a collection was taken in the pits from drivers and crews and from race fans in the grandstands totaling $628.48. The money was given to Warren Engine Company, who provides services at Champion Speedway, who would in turn give it to the Carson City Fire Department.
The Street Stocks and Late Models were again combined for a 30-lap main event. As the Late Models made their way - some quickly - through the field of Street Stocks, Ed Goss flew down the back stretch to pass Frank Sanfilipo on the high side. Goss ran flush with the side of Sanfilipo's car, got sideways in turn 3 and collected the car of Allen Hunter, all on lap 2. Both Hunter and Goss had too much damage to return to the race.
At the restart it was Vince Malone with the lead, John White in second and Worley third. Worley immediately took the second spot with Chet Danburg making his way from the rear of the field to third. Worley took the lead from Malone on lap 16 with Danburg in close pursuit and Al Goss in third.
The race ended with a white/yellow, checkered/yellow finish as the car of Mike Fuller lost the right rear tire on lap 28. Just prior to the white/yellow, Danburg pulled the high side of turn 4 gaining position over Worley to take the win, with Goss in third. Rounding out the field of Sportsman were: Malone, Sanfilipo, Crome, Derek Todd, Mike Hayward and Ed Goss.
"This win was pretty neat," Danburg said. "I have to compliment the street stock drivers. They let you know where to pass. They give hand signals - when they have time.
"I think combining the two divisions is OK, it makes everybody a better driver. Joel's raced me real clean and the fans like close racing. Tonight was close racing."
Finishing order for the Street Stock division was: Rick Miller, John White, Gil Casper Jr., Mike Fuller, Matt Collier, Janet Lyford and Hunter.
White won the trophy dash for the Street Stocks over Miller, Hunter and Collier. White also won the heat race with Miller in second and Fuller third.
Danburg won the Sportsman heat race with Worley in second and Al Goss third.
In the Legends division Wayne Estes nearly repeated his hat trick of two weeks ago, winning the trophy dash over Richard Malugani, Bob Cose and Jack Randall. Estes fell one position short in the second heat race, taking second to Malugani with Brent Holman finishing in the third spot. Randall won the first heat with Denny Hadler Jr. returning to race after a serious accident four weeks ago and take the second spot and Bill Brown finishing third.
Estes drove such a clean, quick race his car could have been on rails it ran so smoothly. His main event win was at about 15 car lengths ahead of Malugani in second and Terry Madjeski in third. Rounding out the field were: Cose, Randall, Holman, Brown, Crome, Charley Baron and Hadler.
"The car was hooked," Estes said after the win. "Mine was so perfect, the car was just perfect. It was one of those nights. I didn't have to work very hard (for the win)."
The wild and woolly Hornets were in action also, with every lap and turn appearing to be a nailbiter, and somehow nearly every lap turning out OK. Robert Miller started off the division's night with the trophy dash win over Kim Robbins, Andy McCool and Steve Moore.
The first heat was won by Chuck Beaty with Miller in second and Tony Polistena in third. Moore won the second heat over J.T. Stark in second and McCool in third.
Sandy Clark went to the early lead in the Hornets main event with Jason Bilek and Adam Beaty in close pursuit. A caution came out on lap 11 for Harris Heller when he lost the right front tire of his car. At the restart Bilek had the lead over Chuck Beaty in second, Miller in third and Clark and Stark rounding out the top-5.
In a 3-car, side-by-side driving pass for the lead, Miller along with Chuck Beaty and Jason Bilek drove hard down the back stretch into turn 3, with Miller coming out in front. At the checkered flag, it was Miller with the win, Chuck Beaty in second and McCool third. Rounding out the field were: Robbins, Moore, Polistena, Stark, Jason Flores, Bilek, Jason Gentry, Bill Holbert, Clark, John Gallio, Jacob Baker, Heller and Adam Beaty.
The Queen Beez also raced for points Saturday with Stephanie Crawford winning the trophy dash over Heller, Joy Coleman and Clark. Heller won the heat race with Crawford in second and Coleman third.
In the main event, Heller took the win with Crawford in a close second, Coleman third and rounding out the field were Gallio, Jacob Baker and Clark.
For this week's action at Champion Speedway visit www.champion-speedway.com or call 888-9777.
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
