4.1.07 – From Westcar Media

Glenn wins thrilling Eldorado Westcar Series opener at Ukiah
Rookie Beddow leads 80 laps in debut

Steven Blakesley / Eldorado Westcar Series

Gary Glenn of Orangevale, CA recovered from a mid-race spin to pass rookie teammate Jarred Beddow on lap 87 to take the win in Eldorado 100 for the Eldorado Westcar Series at Ukiah Speedway on Saturday.

Glenn’s win marks his sixth career win in Eldorado Westcar competition, extending his lead in that category.

“It feels awesome,” Glenn said. “This is a really hard track to pass at. I was determined to win this race and worked my butt off.”

Bobby Butler of Sacramento, CA led the field to the green flag on the fast high-banked quarter-mile asphalt oval.

Beddow tapped Butler and moved to the lead position on lap six.

As Beddow motored away in the opening green flag stint, a four car pack dueled closely for second position, with Butler, Greg Potts, Craig Swim, and Glenn in the mix.

A caution on lap 23 tightened the field up. On the restart, rookie Eric Nascimento slowed, and the field bunched behind him with Rich Lawlor of Sparks, NV suffering heavy front-end damage to end his night.

Beddow pulled of a fast restart and it took until lap 34 for Butler and Potts to gain ground on the rookie.

Potts took his first look to the outside of Butler as the caution flew on lap 45 for a spinning Paul Hansen, thwarting Potts efforts.

The four car group battling for second remained in line until lap 52, when they checked up, forcing Swim into Glenn, sending him spinning. Both restarted at the rear of the field.

“The car in front was holding us up,” Glenn said. “After that I was on a mission.”

Beddow maintained a solid lead on the pack as Potts worked around Butler on the outside to take over second on lap 53.

A huge accident on lap 59 closed the lead pack together again. Brian Koski and rookie Josh Combs got together off of turn two, with Combs being sent back across the track and getting hit by Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV. When they slid to a stop atop the backstretch, both cars had sustained heavy damage and Hodges was done for the evening.

Glenn moved up the fourth spot using the outside on the restart, while Potts worked on reeling in Beddow.

It took until lap 66 for him to catch Beddow. Meanwhile, Glenn had maneuvered his way up to third place.
 

After 12 laps of battling, Potts looked to the outside of Beddow and had a run off of turn four until the two touched. Potts went into the wall and came across the line backwards before stopping in turn one.

Potts was frustrated with the incident.

“I was up to the quarter panel and he stuck me into the wall,” Potts said. “We would have been gone. It was frustrating. I was getting hit and didn’t want to let go.”

“He got a run on me and I squeezed him up a little bit,” Beddow said. “We just touched; these cars are very sensitive and it just happened. If it was me I’d be pissed too.”

The incident was ruled a racing incident and Beddow retained the lead position with 22 to go.

Potts had a solo spin on the ensuing restart as he fought to move through the field.

“That just high blood pressure and the adrenaline was flowing,” Potts said.

Glenn made an outstanding run towards his teammate on the following restart that included contact. The pair fought hard until lap 87 when Glenn took the lead on the outside.

“I was pinching him down hard to get the run off the corner,” Glenn said. “The outside was junk but I had to go outside. I would have banged doors with him all day long.”

Potts made an incredible charge on the outside and was in the third position by lap 91 but spun again.

Glenn held off Butler on the restart and walked away with the $3000 victory. Butler came home second, with Beddow limping home third with a broken suspension. Randy Reeves and Potts rounded out the top-five.

“It was a good race until the part failure,” Beddow said. “If it wasn’t for the Glenn’s I wouldn’t have had this opportunity.  If I have a car like I did today I can be upfront (at Altamont).”

Glenn may have his best shot yet at the title after losing closely in the first two seasons.

“This gives us momentum. I think this is going to be a good year.”

Glenn claimed the Performance Electric Fast Time award with a 12.884. The Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash was won by Jarred Beddow.

The series returns to action April 21^st at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, CA.

Westcar is supported in 2007 by: Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno, Performance Electric, California Door and Frame, Competition Carburetion, John L. Sullivan, Jim Courage Pools, Circle Track Steering, Five Star Bodies, Sierra Racing Products, Fensler Racing, DPI, F.R.E., JME, Cust-Tee-Mized, and Perry Racing.

For more information visit www.westcarseries.com

Finish for the Eldorado 100 March 31, 2007 at Ukiah Speedway:

1. 50 Gary Glenn Orangevale, CA G. Glenn Plastering Chevy $3100

2. 56 Bobby Butler Sacramento, CA AB&M Muffler Pontiac $900

3. 51 Jarred Beddow Roseville, CA G. Glenn Plastering Chevy $950

4. 25 Randy Reeves Modesto, CA Scenic Towing & Autocare Chevy $600

5. 2 Greg Potts Morada, CA Nascimento Motorsports Chevy $550

6. 5 Brian Koski San Ramon, CA Groth Bros. Chevrolet Chevy $500

7. 3x Chet Danburg Carson City, NV Carson Horseshoe Club Chevy $575

8. 20 Paul Hansen Point Richmond, CA West Construction Chevy $450

9. 21 Eric Nascimento Manteca, CA Aqua Pool & Spa Chevy $425

10. 1 Dave Byrd Monterey, CA Performance Electrical Chevy $400

11. 12 Josh Combs Sacramento, CA MUD-Racing.net Chevy $390

12. 7x Craig Swim Orangevale, CA Swim’s Auto Repair & Towing Chevy $380
13. 89 Bobby Hodges Carson City, NV NATC/Team Marines Racing Chevy $370
14. 7 Kris Keller Carson City, NV Wenkel Pontiac GMC Chevy $360

15. 35 Rich Lawlor Sparks, NV Allen’s Tire Ford $350

16. 16 Andy Livengood Richmond, CA West Construction Chevy $340

Lap Leaders: 1-6 Bobby Butler, 7-87 Jarred Beddow, 88-100 Gary Glenn.
Cautions: 7
 

Performance Electric Fast Time Award – Gary Glenn 12.884

Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash – Jarred Beddow

Jim Courage Pools Hard Charger Award – Chet Danburg

California Door Most Laps Led Award – Jarred Beddow

About Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno:
The award winning Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno, NV is proud to support grassroots motorsports. The Eldorado was named ‘Best Reno Rooms and Suites’ by Casino Player Magazine. Visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 1-800-879-8879.

About Westcar:
The Westcar Series was started in late 2004 in Northern California by Phil Perry of Perry Race Cars and Jeff Macey of JME, who looked to create a solid touring series for weekly-type Western Late Models. This series became the Eldorado Westcar Late Model Series, which is preparing for its third season in 2007. Westcar continues to evolve and in 2007 is also launching the Eldorado Westcar Pot O’ Gold Grassroots Championship.