Copeland Captures Marysville
Marysville, CA (April 25, 2015) – Roseville’s Colby Copeland is on a roll. The previous Friday night, Copeland won his first career 410 sprint car main event at Silver Dollar Speedway. Eight days later, Copeland is now a two-time 410 sprint car main event winner. Copeland led all 25-laps during the non-stop feature event Saturday night at Marysville Raceway. “What a great racetrack and main event,” said Copland while in victory lane. “My team has given me the tools I need to be successful and lately I have been able to translate that into wins.”
The sprint car night started off with a bang as both Chico’s Jonathan Allard and Auburn’s Andy Forsberg individually crossed the finish line during qualifying with the exact same time of 12.060. That time was fast enough to break the existing track record for 410 sprint cars held by Willie Croft. Croft’s previous fastest lap was a 12.116. Both Allard and Forsberg will share the honors as having posted the fastest qualifying lap at Marysville.
The sprint car main event started with Copeland and Bobby McMahan on the front row. Copeland would grab the advantage and lead the first lap. McMahan held down the second spot for most of the event. Late in the race Forsberg was able to maneuver around McMahan for second. By then Copeland had too much of an advantage over Forsberg. It is rare to see a non-stop sprint car main event. The credit goes to the hard work that the Speedway did in preparing a soaked race track from the recent rain storm and the ability of the drivers on the track. McMahan finished in the third spot. Allard ended up fourth. Colby Wiesz held his own to finish fifth. Wiesz and Jimmy Stewart showed up in their regular 360 sprint cars and were the only two drivers brave enough to race against the higher powered 410 cubic inch motors.
Copeland and Wiesz were the two winners during the eight lap heat races.
Howard Law led all 20-laps to win the Sport Mod main event. Sixth place starting Jason Ferguson quickly moved into the second spot on lap two but just four laps later he slowed and drifted towards the back. On lap seven things heated up for second place between Jimmy Ford, Corey Hall and Brian Cooper. The three drivers provided great entertainment as they mixed it up on the track. With three laps to go Ford regained the second position and went on to finish in that spot. Cooper came home to finish in third. Ferguson found his way back to a fourth place finish. Hall ended up fifth. Ford and Cooper were each victorious during the eight lap heat races.
San Jose driver Shawn Jones was the show during the 20-lap Dwarf Car main event. Jones drove to the front of the main event and took a commanding lead early on. However, on lap six, a back marked had spun in turn one and blocked the top groove. Jones was running the high side and came upon the stopped car. With nowhere to go Jones slammed on the brakes and ultimately was ruled part of the wreck and sent to the back of the pack. The new leader was Ryan Winter. Yet, all eyes were on Jones. Jones quickly passed numerous cars and within seven laps was racing Winter for the win. On lap 17 Jones drove around Winter for the lead and drove away to lead the final three laps. Winter held off a charging Kevin Bender for second. Mike Drake drove a solid race to finish fourth. Scott Dahlgren rounded out the top five. Jones and Bender each won their individual heat races.
Jeff Macedo bested the four cars that entered the economy sprint main event to win his first feature. Macedo beat second place finishes Jason Holt by over five seconds. Dusty Barton challenged Macedo for the win but spun late in the race. Barton did win the lone eight lap heat race for the division.
Brian Cooper held off Todd Cooper to win the Hobby Stock 12-lap main event. Cooper has yet to lose a race at Marysville in 2015. Cooper won the six-lap heat race earlier in the night. Nick Baldwin and Shannon Collins were the other two drivers to compete.
Next Saturday night there are no races at Marysville Raceway.
For upcoming events please visit us at www.marysvilleraceway.com.
Complete results from tonight’s racing action can be found at www.mylaps.com/en/events/1128487
