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Steven
Blakesley / Westcar Late Model Series
It’s
about time.
Coming
into 2006 with high expectations, after two wins and four blown
engines in 2005, Gary Glenn of Orangevale answered back to critics
by grabbing the win in the 75-lap Robinson Rancheria Westcar Late
Model Challenge at Lakeport Speedway in Lakeport, CA.
Glenn
made a major statement in Scott Performance Wires Qualifying laying
down a 12.466 on the fast quarter-mile. Glenn’s lap topped that
turned by Shannon Mansch of Roseville by more than .25 of a second.
“After
that qualifying run it got my blood pumping,” Glenn said. “I was so
confident in my car and I knew I had enough.”
Glenn
started eighth after drawing an eight car invert.
Incoming points leader Byron Gonzales of Carmichael, CA led the
field to green and held the lead position by several car-lengths
over Richie Crowell of Redding, CA. Glenn, meanwhile, stormed
through the pack in dramatic fashion on the outside groove.
“I was
trying to be really careful,” Glenn said. “I knew I could get to the
front on the outside but I needed to save my tires.”
Glenn
moved around Crowell on lap 18, and squared away at Gonzales.
It only
took five laps for Glenn to catch Gonzales.
“I felt
like I was by far the second fastest car out there,” Gonzales said.
“I was trying to maintain my lead over Crowell and cruise.”
“Byron’s great,” Glenn said. “He consistently runs me clean.”
Zane
Lovelace, Jr. of Roseville, CA, who won the Competition Carburetion
Dash for Cash, passed Crowell on lap 35 and settled into third
place.
Troy
Shirk of Oakley, CA, part of a torrid battle for fourth that
included as many as six cars, moved to the top to pick off both
Mansch and Scott Chappell of Lodi, CA on lap 64
in one
swoop.
The
top-three positions seemed settled to the finish until Gonzales
suddenly lit up in flames in turn three on lap 68. A blown rear-end
ended his potential runner-up run.
“I
practiced three times getting out of the race car and it helped,”
Gonzales said. “I’m not worried about the points. We just do what we
can and this was not under our control.”
The
caution set-up a seven lap sprint to the finish between Glenn,
Lovelace, and Shirk.
Glenn
carried a great restart to a commanding win while Shirk passed
Lovelace to nab second at the line. Crowell and Mansch rounded out
the top five.
“Everyone gave me a line and everyone had a good, clean drive,”
Glenn said. “We ran the crate motor tonight because this track is
not about horsepower; it’s about carrying momentum.”
Lovelace was happy with his career-best third place finish.
“We’re
finally starting to hit it,” Lovelace said. “We’re getting the
gremlins figured out. It was frustrating because I know I can win as
a driver. Crew chief Robert Snow really figured the car out.”
The
Westcar Late Model Series takes a week off before returning to
action July 1st at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, CA.
For more information, visit
www.westcarseries.com
Westcar is
supported in 2006 by: Scott Performance Wires, Xbox, Five
Star Bodies, Eagle Fitness of Reno/Carson, California Door and
Frame, Sierra Racing Products, Circle Track Steering, Competition
Carburetion, Jim Courage Pools, Fensler Racing, DPI, F.R.E., JME,
John L. Sullivan, and Perry Racing.
Feature
Results of 75-lap Robinson Rancheria Westcar Challenge:
1. 50
Gary Glenn G. Glenn Plastering Chevy Orangevale, CA $1250
2. 1x
Troy Shirk JME/Microsoft/XBOX Chevy Oakley, CA $750
3. 55
Zane Lovelace, Jr. Sidelifter.com Chevy Roseville, CA $625
4. 32
Richie Crowell Colorcraft Pontiac Redding, CA $500
5. 61
Shannon Mansch Big Dawg Transport Chevy Roseville, CA $450
6. 15
Scott Chappell Cardoza Transport Chevy Lodi, CA $425
7. 11
Chris Monez Ayers Racing Dodge Turlock, CA $400
8. 9
Craig Swim Swim’s Auto Repair & Tow Dodge Orangevale, CA $375
9. 3x
Chet Danburg RE/MAX Chevy Carson City, NV $350
10. 88c
Michael Clarke Saki’s Spin a Yarn Restaurant Chevy Pleasanton, CA
$325
11. 51
Brian Koski Groth Brothers Chevrolet Chevy Pleasanton, CA $300
12. 98
Byron Gonzales La Placita Mexican Food Chevy Carmichael, CA $290
13. 25
Randy Reeves Scenic Autocare & Towing Chevy Modesto, CA $280
14. z2
Kyle Cattanach Big Foot Recycling Chevy Redding, CA $270
Lap
Leaders: 1-24 Byron Gonzales, 24-75 Gary Glenn
Awards:
Scott Wires Fast Time Award - $ 100.00
– Gary Glenn
Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash -
1st place - $ 100.00 – Zane Lovelace Jr.
Jim Courage Pools Hard Charger Award - $
100.00 – Troy Shirk
California Door Most Laps Led Award - $ 100.00 – Gary Glenn
John
L. Sullivan’s Highest Crate Engine - $100.00 – Gary Glenn |
