FERNLEY, NV (July 13) – Summer’s heat and a strong wind were challenges when Fernley 95A Speedway began its latest race. Keeping the track surface moist and not dry kept the track crew busy during the heat races.
Despite this the program continued and drivers gave the fans some good racing.
When the 13-car IMCA field took the green Malen Gonzalez took off with Cory Sample and James Thibodeaux in hot pursuit. Just one lap later the car of Chris Olexiewicz slowed bringing out the first caution.
On the green Gonzalez took off but soon Thibodeaux took over second then used an inside move to grab the lead. This dropped Gonzalez to third and Sample up to second.
Then there were three cautions in a row with the last coming after two cars tangled in Turn 2. One of them got going while the other was stuck in the mud at the bottom of the track.
Then the car that was able to continue was going too fast, lost it exiting Turn 2 and also would have to be pushed out of the mud.
One reason the track has mud at the bottom was the result of a downpour the previous day. After that the track crew had to pump a huge amount of water out of the Turn 3 and 4 area.
When resumed it was the Thibodeaux/Sample show up front with Gonzalez, and now Andy Strait holding the next two positions.
Just before the white flag there was another caution but when the green waved the result was the same. In the end Thibodeaux, who won the previous night in Winnemucca, claimed the victory followed by Sample, Gonzalez and Strait.
Reporter’s note: Unfortunately Thibodeaux didn’t show up for the trophy presentations so there are no quotes from him.
When the evening began there were six Sport Mods on hand but two of them were unable to make the main. On the green Andy Welch was on point until Craig Nieman got past him in Turn 3.
Around this time Trevor Tiffee, from California, took the lead and the chase was on. Eventually Nieman got behind him but it was a case where Tiffee held the preferred line.
Lap after lap they roared around the oval until Nieman was able to squeeze by as they exited Turn 4 with only a lap to go. That was enough to give him the win while Tiffee was a close second.
“It was fun but we screwed up in Turn 2 and he got underneath me and I spent the whole rest of the race chasing him (Tiffee) down,” Nieman said. “I led the most important lap, the last one.”
Then he thanked HV Trailer Parts, Napa Sierra in Quincy, RWW Fabrication.
Four Dwarf Cars were on hand and when their main began Glen Sciarani was on point. During the second lap Joe Frock came from the back to second then made the winning pass.
The race ran green to checkered without a caution. In the end Frock scored another victory followed by Sciarani, Roy Petersen and Skip Wise.
After the race Frock said, “Things went smooth, every one drove a good race green to checkered so no cautions. I think we might have been the only class to do that.”
Then he thanked his many sponsors, Damron Racing Las Vegas, R&J Landscaping, Wild Island, Diatte Racing Innovations, Freiheit Racing Products, Nature’s Bakers, Eternal Image, Pro Mechanix and Voss Fabrication.
The Hobby Stocks started the evening’s main event but it was after the track was watered. At that time the wind had died down so now the surface was holding moisture unlike earlier.
When the 8-car field took the green drivers found they had to be a bit creative with their lines. The preferred technique was to enter Turn 1, not at top speed, roll to the top of the banking, rotate the car in Turn 2 then charge down the banking.
This method was the way they got through Turns 3/ and 4 as well. So it was full speed down the straights, with help from the slingshot of coming down the banking, then slow up for the next corner.
When the race started Dan Dias took off with Tom Haxal close behind him. Further back Rocky Goetz was holding down third and soon was have to hold off his brother Royce Goetz.
Up front Dias was leaving everyone in his dust. Then the leaders started catching lappers.
There was a caution after Shane Boyd spun in Turn 4 and collected Royce Goetz, who was unable to avoid him. Right after the green waved again there was another scramble.
When the green waved Dais and Rocky Goetz took off. Soon their duel took a dramatic change.
Going down the backstretch a wheel of the car Dias was driving came off. This sent his car up the Turn 3 banking and into the tire wall ending his race.
Now Goetz was on point followed by his brother Royce and Rick Miller.
There would be one more caution, with two laps to go. In the final shoot out Miller was second and close to the leader but in the end Goetz prevailed. Cameron Knight ended up third after Royce Goetz slid up and off the racing line in Turn 3 dropping him to fourth.
“I think I was going to get him (Dias), I had a good run on him every time I got out of the corner, especially out of 2,” Rocky Goetz said. “He was getting really squirrely every time and it was killing his drive off the corner and that’s where I was getting him. I felt the bump (From Rick Miller) on the last lap and I didn’t know anyone was that close.”
Then he thanked his brother Royce, who owns the car, and his friend that towed the car out to the track.
Next race for 95A Speedway is on August 17 and the 360 sprint cars will also be there.
• Sunday was when Sparks Cars & Coffee held its monthly car meet by Buffalo Wild Wings. One of the cars on display was a totally stock and original 1974 Olds Omega owned by James Stewart.
He explained the car sat for a dozen years after its second owner thought the transmission broke. Stewart found it and was able to buy the car for just $100.
Upon inspection he found the drive shaft had broken a U joint. Once that was replaced the car was able to move.
“Had to clean out the squirrel’s nest out of the engine then when I moved the back seat I found the original build sheet. All the numbers match to this car is totally original,” he said.
Although it is original the car is clean and hopefully we’ll see it again at another car meet.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• There are two car meets this Wednesday. The Sparks A&W, across from Reed High School, has one starting at 5:30 p.m. and going until closing.
The other one, hosted by The River 103.7 FM, ua at Hobey’s Casino in Sun Valley. The show runs from 5 until 7:30 p.m. and is another place to see some great looking cars.
• For you dirt bike riders out there on Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. Reno Area Dirt Riders will be signing up people. The location is PJandCompany on South Wells avenue.
• Remember Teresa’s Garage Radio Show will be on from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The show covers all things automotive.
I have a preview section at 2:15 and one can hear us live over the air, streaming on the Internet or live on Face Book. Hope you’ll check the show out.
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
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We now have four very appreciated sponsors that support his site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue.
Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
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Phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs
Brian Saul is the owner, a car enthusiast himself, he’s committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work. Phone number for the shop is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like minded people.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.
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RESULTS:
Fernley 95A Speedway – July 13
IMCA Modifieds:
+ Heat #1: 1. Malen Gonzalez, 2. James Thibodeaux, 3. Andy Strait, 4. Shawn LaRoque, 5. Cole Jones, 6. Mark Skender, 7. Steve McQueen.
+ Heat #2: 1. Cory Sample, 2. Chris Olexiewicz, 3. Barry Stone, 4. Don Childs,5. Fred White, 6. Alec Childs.
+ Main (25-Laps): 1. James Thibodeaux, 2. Cory Sample, 3. Malen Gonzalez, 4. Andy Strait, 5. Shawn LaRoque, 6. Don Childs, 7. Cole Jones, 8. Mark Skender, 9. Steve McQueen, 10. Alec Childs, 11. Barry Stone, 12. Fred White, 13. Chris Olexiewicz.
Sport Mods:
+ Heat #1: 1. Andy Welch, 2. Shayna Nieman, 3. Trevor Tiffee.
+ Heat #2: 1. Craig Nieman, 2. Keith Mikaelson, 3. Collin Stanford.
+ Main (15-Laps): 1. Craig Nieman, 2. Trevor Tiffee, 3. Andy Welch, 4. Shayna Nieman.
DNS: Keith Mikaelson, Colling Stanford.
Dwarf Cars:
+ Heat: 1. Joe Frock, 2. Glen Sciarani, 3. Roy Petersen, 4. Skip Wise.
+ Main (15-Laps): 1. Joe Frock, 2. Glen Sciarani, 3. Roy Petersen, 4. Skip Wise.
Hobby Stock:
+ Heat #1: 1. Rick Miller, 2.Rocky Goetz, 3. Cameron Knight, 4. Dan Dias.
+ Heat #2: 1. Royce Goetz, 2. Davie Paine, 3. Shane Boyd, 4. Tom Haxal.
+ Main (20-Laps): 1. Rocky Goetz, 2. Rick Miller, 3. Cameron Knight, 4. Royce Goetz, 5. Tom Haxal, 6. David Paine, 7. Dan Dias, 8. Shane Boyd.
