Multiple crashes, disqualifications, upset drivers and time constraints were the underlying theme for the Petaluma Speedway Races Aug. 24.
After it was all said and done, Bradley Terrell of the 360-winged class was able to hold off Alissa Geving at the finish line by a matter of inches.
Going into the races, Terrell had a big lead in points. He could have taken the night off and still had a 10-point lead.
Geving came into the race trying to get an ever-elusive first win of the season. The race was scheduled to be a 25-lap race but ended as a 20-lap race to a lot of red flags and cautions and due to time limits.
The race started with Terrell and Geving diving into turn one. Terrell got the better of Geving, and held the lead coming off turn two.
The first red flag flew when Ivan Worden got loose off turn two and hit the wall. Zack Lynskey had nowhere to go in the collision, forcing him to crash into the back of Worden. Marissa Polizzi and Chris Magoon were collected in the crash as a result. Also in the wreck were Jeff Griffin and Steve Jakewith. All drivers left the collision intact.
On the ensuing restart, Brett Rolag flipped in turn one, but escaped with minor injuries.
On the restart, Terrell took off with the lead. The caution flag flew on lap three for the spinning car of Jakewith.
On the next restart, Terrell jumped out to the lead again looking strong until the caution flew for Jakewith, who spun again on lap 11. This lead to a black flag for the two spin out rule.
Another caution flew again on lap 14.
Geving was able to stay with Terrell as he sounded to be having engine problems. However, he was able to hold off Geving as she tried several times in the remaining laps to get around Terrell, she ended up her finishing side-by-side with Terrell at the checkered flag. The top three finish was Terrell, Geving and Jake Morgan who had a great run all night long.
In the wingless spec sprint class, Geoff Ensign picked up a 25-lap, A-main win, holding off Joe Stornetta.
The race began with Scott Dupont jumping out to the lead on the green flag. Everything seemed well until lap seven when point’s leader Terry Schank Jr. and Brett Barney flipped while battling for fourth place. Both drivers were OK but Schank was disqualified while working on the car under the red flag.
On the restart Scott Dupont jumped back into the lead with Ensign in second place and Stornetta on his heels.
On lap 13, Dupont spun while trying to hold off Ensign. Ensign would take over the lead and hold off Stornetta for the win after giving Ensign a run for his money.
Stornetta is still looking for his first win of the season. The top five were Ensign, Stornetta, Scott Hall, Zack Lynskey and Sparky Howard.
Edin McCormuick picked up the win in the Mini-Stock, 15-lap A-main despite spinning out while leading in lap 10.
On the restart, Josh Williams was the leader, but not for long, because McCormick retook the lead going three wide on the back straightaway. After taking the lead he never relinquished it. The top three finishers were McCormick, “Pistol” Pete Langley and Josh Williams. Edin McCormick picked up the heat win.
In the super stock 25-lap A-main, Mike Learn won despite getting spun by Steve Studenbaker.
After his win, Rick Faeth, owner of Petaluma Speedway, interviewed Mike Learn.
“People should learn to use the brakes,” Learn said.
The fans were not pleased and booed Learn.
Studenbaker took the lead on lap two before Learn took it back. This was a turning point in the race, as Studenbaker got into Learn.
On the restart Learn drove like a madman from the back passing drivers every lap. Studenbaker had an almost straightaway lead before the caution came out on lap 16 for a car in the wall.
Learn and Studenbaker were side-by-side coming off turn two and Learn was able to get the lead back and win the race. Studenbaker came into the race with a four-point lead over Learn. The top three were Mike Learn, Steve Studenbaker and Dave Spriggs
The next race at Petaluma Speedway will be on Sept.7 with the Spec Sprints, Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks and Dwarf cars on hand.
