Cox Pounds out Win at Marysville
(Marysville, CA) July 18, 2015…Justyn Cox survived a cowboy up, tighten the seat belts and let it rip kind of a race track Saturday night at Marysville Raceway to win the exciting 25-lap sprint car main event. Cox has been on the rise this year and recently won a feature event in Oregon. Himself and crew chief Rod Tiner Jr. make a great pair and continue to gel as one. Cox, Tiner Jr. and his #31c team soon leave for Knoxville, IA to compete at the famed Knoxville Raceway. It was a great momentum builder as the team gears up for the long haul.
A stout 24 car field of winged 360 sprint cars graced the pit area Saturday night at Marysville Raceway. At the start of the race Cox heaved into the lead ahead of fellow front row starter Kenny Allen. The Chico driver, Allen, then lost the second spot to Watsonville’s Justin Sanders. From lap four to eight, Sanders was all over Cox for the lead. On lap nine, Sanders used a slower car to his advantage and got underneath Cox. Sanders’ was then able to slide Cox for the lead.
As the race progressed it was evident that to be up front wasn’t necessarily the place to be. Soon the leaders were going to have to battle slower back markers again. This time, Cox split the hole that had developed when two slower cars bottled up Sanders. Even though Cox could not surge by Sanders, he stayed cool calm and collected waiting for his chance. However, by a stroke of good luck, Cox rose to the challenge and on lap 15 took the lead back away from Sanders. From here on out it was about Cox. Cox extended his lead because the young driver made smart decisions in traffic and earned the win. Sanders followed Cox across the stripe. Wilton’s Matt Peterson started sixth and by lap 19 was up to third. Allen drifted back to a fourth place finish. Jeremy Burt had another consistent night of racing and finished fifth.
Jeremy Phillips Jr. led all 12 laps to win the sprint car B main event. Grass Valley’s Jeremy Burt won the first eight lap sprint car heat race. Grass Valley’s Billy Wallace won the second heat race. Yuba City driver Kevin Lovell picked up the third heat win.
In limited late model racing, Yuba City’s Duane Cleveland was able to fend off Olivehurst’s Ryan McDaniel during the eight lap heat race. Yet, during the 20 lap main event it was all McDaniel. In fact, McDaniel crossed the finish line with nearly a five-second lead. Finishing second was Jeff Olschowka. Right behind him was Anthony Restad.
Mini stock racing saw Kyle Davey win the lone eight lap heat race by nearly three-seconds. Damian Merritt jumped out to the early lead during the 20-lap main event. Four laps later it was Shaun Merritt taking over the lead. Shaun went on to lead the final 16 laps without much of a challenge from anyone else. Damian held on for the second spot. Jimmy Ford nailed down the third spot at the finish.
Jimmy Ford might not have won the mini stock main event, but he still was a winner tonight. Ford held off a charging Fred Ryland to win the 20-lap IMCA sport mods main event. The race provided one of the better finishes of the night. Howard Law is as good as it gets when it comes to being a driver at Marysville. Law started eighth and drove up to third. Brian Cooper held down the fourth spot at the finish line. Jason Ferguson rounded out the top five. It’s no wonder that Ford and Ryland were each winners during their eight lap heat race.
Brett Youngman led all 20 laps to win the wingless sprint main event. Youngman finished with a three second advantage over sixth place starting Tim Sherman Jr. Give credit to Sherman as there was not an abundance of passing. Josh Vieira finished in the third spot. Nathan Johnson ran up to a fourth place finish. Misty Castleberry completed the top five. Kyle Standley won the first eight lap heat race. Castleberry won the second heat.
Racing continues this Saturday night, July 25, with point race number 11. Please visit www.marysvilleraceway.com for more info.
