Steven Blakesley / Westcar Late Model Series

Shannon Mansch picked up her second-straight Westcar Late Model Series win, Saturday, at the series debut at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, CA

Mansch put north state fans on notice, as she passed two-time track champion Kyle Cattanach of Redding, CA on lap 40 en-route to taking home the Prime Financial 100.

Mansch becomes the first driver in Westcar history to win back-to-back races.

“The adjustment we made help the car get off the corner,” Mansch said. “To win with my husband is just….awesome!”

Troy Shirk of Oakley, CA and Cattanach led the field to green into turn one, but they made heavy contact that sent them sideways. The field slowed and scattered to avoid hitting them and in the process Gary Glenn of Orangevale was shuffled from 5^th to 10^th.

Cattanach took the lead with Shirk back in fifth.

Cattanach had control of the event, while Gonzales and Glenn flew through the field. Gonzales from his 12^th starting position, was up to 4^th by lap 20, with Glenn in fifth at that point. Mansch ran second by lap 20.

Mansch tracked down Cattanach and by lap 30 began applying the pressure. The battle harkened back to their battle for the lead in Stockton two weeks ago.

“The car felt really good,” Cattanach said. “But it got loose as the tires got hot and I was just holding on.”

Mansch pressed Cattanach but also ran cautious as it was still early in the race with tire wear a big factor on everyone’s mind.

“Kyle was fast,” Mansch said. “I was trying to learn his line and trying to get a good run off of four to get him.”

Mansch passed Cattanach in turn three on lap 40 to take the lead.

Gonzales and Glenn tracked down Cattanach to take over second and third on lap 60, and a brief caution on lap 70 set the stage for the a dramatic finish.

“Once I got around the (lapped car) I focused on running careful laps and pulling in the best laps I could,” Gonzales said.

Glenn stuck to Gonzales’ rear bumper and they closed in on Mansch with 6 laps to go. Mansch and Gonzales battled hard with Glenn in striking distance.

In a thrilling finish, Mansch held off Gonzales nose-to-tail to finish with Glenn in third. Cattanach and Bobby Butler of Sacramento, CA rounded out the top five.

“I really used the tires to get to Kyle and I didn’t expect Byron to come up that fast,” Mansch said. “I trust him and he trusts me and it was a very clean finish.”

Glenn was frustrated that he could not get around Gonzales.

“I was kinda holding back waiting for something to happen,” Glenn said. “I wanted to bump him and take him. I wouldn’t have had anything for Shannon though. She was rolling and very fast.”

”I was talking to Gary and we couldn’t pinpoint if Gary had more than I did,” Gonzales said. “Knowing Gary he could have done a lot more to me but he raced me clean.”

While Mansch takes her second-straight win, Cattanach had his second straight weekend of a fading race car.

”We’re going to have to work on the longevity,” Cattanach said. “We’re going to have to play the tire game and start running bleeders to maintain the pressures and go from there.”

Morristown, Arizona’s Victor Pfluger won the Competition Carburetion Dash for Cash and Gary Glenn of Orangevale, CA won the Scott Performance Wires Fast Time.

Westcar next competes Saturday at Lakeport Speedway in Lakeport, CA.

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 Prime Financial 100:
1. 61 Shannon Mansch Big Dawg Transport Chevy Roseville, CA $1250

2. 98 Byron Gonzales La Placita Mexican Food Chevy Carmichael, CA $750

3. 50 Gary Glenn G. Glenn Plastering Chevy Orangevale, CA $625

4. z2 Kyle Cattanach Big Foot Recycling Chevy Redding, CA $500

5. 56 Bobby Butler Pro Plumbing Pontiac Sacramento, CA $450

6. 9 Craig Swim Swim’s Auto Repair & Towing Dodge Orangevale, CA $425

7. 80x Victor Pfluger Parker Farms Pontiac Morristown, AZ $400

8. 25 Randy Reeves Scenic Autocar & Towing Chevy Modesto, CA $375

9. 88c Michael Clarke Saki’s Spin a Yarn Restaurant Chevy Pleasanton, CA $350

10. 11 Chris Monez Ayers Racing Dodge Turlock, CA $325

11. 75 Chuck Glick Chevy Citrus Heights, CA $300

12. 3x Chet Danburg RE/Max Darrell & Patti Page Chevy Carson City, NV $290

13. 15x Scott Chappell Cardoza Transport Chevy Lodi, CA $280

14. 35 Rich Lawlor Allen’s Tire Ford Sparks, NV $270

15. 1x Troy Shirk Prime Financial/XBOX Chevy Oakley, CA $260

16. 51 Brian Koski Groth Brothers Chevrolet Chevy Pleasanton, CA $250

17. 16 Andy Livingood West Construction Chevy Richmond, CA $240

18. 44 Paul Guthmiller Roy Reeves Sand & Gravel Chevy Manteca, CA $230

19. 32 Richie Crowell Color Craft Pontiac Redding, CA $220

20. 55 Zane Lovelace Jr. Sidelifter.com Chevy Roseville, CA $210

Time of race: 00:46:32:400

Lap leaders: 1-40 Kyle Cattanach, 40-100 Shannon Mansch
 

Awards:

Scott Wires Fast Time Award - $ 100.00 – Gary Glenn

Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash - 1st place - $ 100.00 – Victor Pfluger

Jim Courage Pools Hard Charger Award - $ 100.00 – Byron Gonzales

California Door Most Laps Led Award - $ 100.00 – Shannon Mansch

30 lap qualifying race:
1. 75 Chuck Glick Chevy Citrus Heights, CA Transfer

2. 32 Richie Crowell Color Craft Pontiac Redding, CA Transfer

3. 43 Chris Hinkle Paragon Pools Chevy Lodi, CA $195

4. 89 Bobby Hodges Nevada Auto Test Center Chevy Carson City, NV $180

5. 07 Rusty Robinett Robinett Automotive Pontiac Redding, CA $170

6. 8 Katie Crome Dydacomp.com Chevy Reno, NV $160

7. 49 Jay Bradley Rice Hydro Chevy Carson City, NV $150

8. 34 Ted Montague IV Freeport Automotive Pontiac Fremont, CA $140