Supermodified Racing League team S & S Motorsports of Carson City, recently made the tow to Meridian, Idaho for a 2-day show at Meridian Speedway.
Co-owners Steve Shaw and Tom Silsby, driver Troy Regier of Dinuba, Calif., and crewmembers John Stewart and Ed Silsby, were set to be top contenders of the annual Diamond Cup race. The winner is determined by overall points from Friday and Saturday's races.
Regier put the team in good position Friday by qualifying third-fast out of a field of 23 cars. Three heat races were held, with Regier winning heat race No. 3.
Twenty-one cars started the main event after two were scratched. Regier was working traffic well, heading to the front of the field. Reaching the third position on lap 27, Regier was ready to take on the leaders when a radiator cap failed, relegating him to the pits with a 16th place finish.
"Troy was very quick in Friday's race," Shaw said. "Unfortunately, we had a radiator cap fail on us. That's the first time that's ever happened. So Troy pulled it into the pits and we got the car ready for Saturday."
Saturday's feature was a 50-lap main. Regier posted fast time with an 11.878-second lap. Ken Hamilton, who posted fast time on Friday was second with an 11.945.
Living the excitement of a speed-induced cranial rush, Regier again won his heat race and was set for the main event. As fast-qualifier, Regier pulled the invert number - eight - which put the eighth-fast qualifier on the pole and him in the eighth position for the start.
"He pretty much dominated the main event," Shaw said.
Regier moved to the front, one car at a time, battling with Rick Veenstra, A.J. Russell and Mike Ford. Regier claimed the second spot on lap 20, behind leader Mike McCann.
On the restart of lap 26, Regier got the better of McCann and never looked back.
"Troy did a masterful job of driving. And as far as thank yous, we've got to say thanks to our crew, John and Ed, and sponsors Don Jack of Valley Chevrolet, Ron Burdg at Sierra Racing Products and the people of Paucho. One of our crew, Rick Barba, couldn't make it because he was at his son's high school graduation."
Overall winner by virtue of points was Ken Hamilton with 124 points, who finished fifth Friday and fourth Saturday. Regier was second overall with 117 points, and Eric Silsby of Carson City was third with 109.
Shaw described Meridian Speedway as a small, narrow racetrack, 1/4 -mile in length, making it extremely hard to pass on, and with little banking.
"It's flatter than Indianapolis Raceway Park," he joked.
"But, it's unique. It's an old racetrack and you have to race the racetrack."
The next SRL race is July 3 at Rocky Mountain Raceways in West Valley City, Utah.
"Then we have another double weekend at Meridian Speedway July 30 and Chaparral Speedway July 31, both in southwestern, Idaho," added Shaw.
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
