Sanders Is Unstoppable at Marysville
(Marysville, CA) August 1, 2015…If Hollywood wanted to produce a sequel to the 1993 hit movie Groundhog Day; hopefully they will think about casting Watsonville’s Justin Sanders for the lead role. For the seventh time in 2015 Sanders won the 25-lap sprint car main event Saturday night at Marysville Raceway. “It’s been an incredible season,” said Sanders. “I am humbled by the great support I have around me. We still have a lot of races left in the season and I am hopeful to continue my winning streak.”
Four other divisions entered point race #11 as the super stocks, vintage hardtops, mini stocks and dwarf cars added a plethora of cars to the entertaining night of racing. Also, a nice turnout of kids riding their bmx style bikes on the front stretch added good family fun to the nights activities. The speedway would like to thank North Valley Driveline Service, Vans Bike Shop, Chico Truck and RV, and the Marysville Flea Market for their support of the Kid’s Night Bike event.
Jeremy Burt bolted out to the lead during the 25-lap sprint car main event. The Grass Valley driver looked solid up front while holding off Marysville’s Brandon Dozier. However, Dozier would spin on lap three. This allowed Rio Linda’s Cody Lamar to move into the runner up spot. Burt continued to lead the feature event until lap 11 when Lamar was able to drive underneath him for the lead. From here on out it looked as if Lamar was headed towards his second career main event victory. Yet, on lap 23 Kevin Lovell spun in turn two directly in front of Lamar. While Lamar did make slight contact with Lovell, it was not enough to sideline the leader.
Lamar continued on as the leader but the next two attempts at a restart where nullified because of accidents. On the third restart Sanders had moved around Burt and now set his sights on Lamar. Going into turn three Sanders drove to the high side around Lamar for the lead. As the two raced underneath the white flag signaling one lap to go, Lamar drove his sprint car too fast into turn one and tried to make the apex of the turn. It was not going to happen and Lamar hit the wall and flipped upside down. The red came out and all the cars stopped. It was heartbreak city for Lamar who was now done for the night. The race resumed with Sanders leading the final two laps with ease. Burt crossed the line in second. Colby Wiesz and Kenny Allen battled all race long for the third spot. Wiesz passed Allen on the final lap to secure the third spot. Jeremy Hawes should be commended for his efforts. Tonight, the Marysville driver started 14th and finished fifth.
The super stock main event provided a dominant performance by Courtney Dozier; however, he came up one lap short of the win. On lap 18, smoke began to billow from underneath Dozier’s front hood as the engine began to expire. While he did come by to cross the flag stand one final time he ended up pulling into the infield and could not make it to lap 20. This was a golden opportunity for Mike Walko. It was evident that Walko was fast all night and as Dozier pulled to the infield, he took the lead. Walko led the final lap to secure his first win of the season. James Castleberry finished in the second spot. The General Jerry Bartlett came home in the third spot.
The mini stock division has now raced four weekends in a row. Tonight, six drivers showed up and once again there were on track accidents that forced the officials to make decisions. Shaun Merritt ended up holding off a charging Jimmy Ford. The two top cars had a wonderful race. Derik Gallier finished third. Preston Irvin had a tough night and spun out twice but was credited with fourth. Kyle Davey and Damian Merritt got together for the second week in a row. The wreck produced damage to Davey’s car that would sideline him. Damian was issued the black flag for rough driving and was sent back to the pits. Davey won the eight lap heat race earlier in the night.
Ryan Winter drove a solid race to win the exciting 20-lap Dwarf Car main event. Winter also won the second heat race. Danny Wagner finished second in the feature. Wagner picked up the win in heat race one. Scott Dahlgren finished second in the first heat and third during the 20 lap main event. Buddy Olschowka did a nice job tonight and finished fourth. Jeremy Blackshere finished fifth
Rob Waldrop won the Vintage Hardtop main event. The traveling group of racers give the fans a glimpse of what dirt track racing looked like in the 1930’s and 40’s.
