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Steven
Blakesley / Westcar Late Model Series
Shannon Mansch of Roseville, CA solidified her place as the top
contender for the Westcar Late Model Series championship as she took
home her third victory of 2006, Saturday, at the Altamont
Motorsports Park in Tracy, CA.
Mansch capitalized on a major race shift after two red flags
affected set-ups and track conditions on the half-mile.
Modesto, CA driver Randy Reeves led the field to green for the 100
lap event with Michael Wendt of Lodi, CA following closely in the
early stages.
On lap
22, Rookie points leader Craig Swim of Orangevale, CA lost his
engine in turn one. Swim spun and backed into the wall, sparking a
major fire on the rear end of the car.
Several
other cars spun trying to go through the incident, with Ryan
Philpott of Tracy, CA eliminated in the incident.
On the
restart, Reeves began feeling pressure from Wendt, while Byron
Gonzales of Carmichael, CA continued his charge through the field.
Gonzales moved forward from the 11th position quickly and
passed Rodney Funston of Oakdale, CA on lap 33 to take
fifth
place.
“I
didn’t know if I could pick off the field that quickly,” Gonzales
said. “All of a sudden the bite came off the corners.”
Gonzales tagged up with the lead pack and a five car battle for the
lead ensued, as Reeves tried to hold off a pack with Wendt, Mansch,
Gary Glenn of Orangevale, CA, and Gonzales.
“I
wasn’t pushing hard at all,” Glenn, who is second in the 2006
points, said. “I was waiting for Shannon to get a run on the
leader.”
Reeves
finally lost footing on the car on lap 49 in the treacherous turn
two, and was quickly shuffled backwards. Wendt assumed the lead,
with Mansch and Glenn following.
Gonzales continued to show strength on the long green-flag run, as
he moved past Glenn into third place on lap 53.
A brief
caution flag on lap 55 set-up a duel between Mansch and Wendt.
Wendt
jumped the start and Mansch hopped to the bottom. Coming off turn
two, Mansch moved into the lead position.
Just
four laps later, Wendt suddenly lost control in turn one and slammed
into the wall.
Wendt’s
spin collected nearly seven cars although Chet Danburg of Carson
City, NV was the only other car unable to continue.
The
field turned up the heat following the lengthy clean-up, with five
drivers setting their best lap of the race right after the restart.
Mansch
laid down lap times nearly three tenths of a second faster than
Gonzales and Glenn, setting her into qualifying speed territory.
“I
thought I would have had her,” Gonzales said. “The red flag killed
me because the tires were so cold.”
Glenn
and Gonzales exchanged second-place when the race resumed, but
Gonzales again utilized the long-runs and regained second from Glenn
on lap 78.
“That
battle with Gary was a lot of fun,” Gonzales said. “Gary shows me a
lot of respect on the track.”
Mansch
cruised home to a big victory by more than four seconds over
Gonzales, with Glenn third, Chris Monez of Turlock fourth, and Jason
Gilbert of Pleasanton, CA rounding out the top-five.
“The
motor started laying down around lap 32,” Glenn said. “I was being
really conservative. I was just hoping for the best.”
1. 61 Shannon Mansch Big Dawg Transport Chevy Roseville, CA $1350
2. 98 Byron Gonzales La Placita Mexican Food Chevy Carmichael, CA
$750
3. 50 Gary Glenn G. Glenn Plastering Chevy Orangevale, CA $625
4. 11 Chris Monez Ayers Racing Dodge Turlock, CA $500
5. 44j Jason Gilbert HUR Performance Engines Chevy Pleasonaton, CA
$550
6. 89 Bobby Hodges Nevada Automotive Test Center Chevy Carson City,
NV $425
7. 25 Randy Reeves Scenic Autocare & Towing Chevy Modesto, CA $500
8. 75 Chuck Glick Citrus Heights, CA $375
9. 51 Brian Koski Groth Bros. Chevrolet Chevy San Ramon, CA $350
10. 1x Troy Shirk Microsoft/JME Chevy Oakley, CA $325
11. 7 Rodney Funston Mid-Valley Concrete Pumping Chevy Oakdale, CA
$300
12. 8x Todd Carnahan San Leandro Color Chevy Livermore, CA $290
13. 15 Scott Chappell Cardoza Transport Chevy Lodi, CA $280
14. 3x Chet Danburg RE/MAX Chevy Carson City, NV $270
15. 2 Michael Wendt Wendt & Sons Construction Chevy $360
16. 44 Brock Monroe Roy Reeves Sand & Gravel Chevy Escalon, CA $250
17. 55 Zane Lovelace Jr. Sidelifter.com Chevy Roseville, CA $240
18. 8 Katie Crome Dydacomp.com Chevy Reno, NV $230
19. 9 Craig Swim Swim’s Auto Repair & Towing Dodge Orangevale, CA
$220
20. 52 Ryan Philpott Pacific Iron Works Chevy Tracy, CA $310
21. 23 Tony Flores CEMCO Chevy Ripon, CA $210
Awards:
Scott Wires Fast Time Award - $ 100.00
– Ryan Philpott
Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash -
1st place - $ 100.00 – Michael Wendt
Jim Courage Pools Hard Charger Award - $
100.00 – Jason Gilbert
California Door Most Laps Led Award - $ 100.00 – Randy Reeves
John
L. Sullivan’s Highest Crate Engine - $100.00 – Shannon Mansch |
