Koa Crane and Kyle Cheney Champs, Paulson Gets Rare Win
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Koa Crane and Kyle Cheney Champs; Paulson Gets Rare Sprint Car Win
MARYSVILLE, Calif., September 7, 2024…Championship night did not disappoint as the racing was fast and furious combined with two new track champions being crowned on Saturday night.
The Hobby Stock night of racing was fantastic as usual. Kyle Cheney came into the night with a three-point edge over Howard Law. After the heat races were completed, Law closed the gap to one-point. Law lined up on the front row. Cheney was slotted in row four. Law knew he had to win and beat Cheney by two spots. Law jumped out to the lead and did what he planned to do, win the race. Cheney patiently worked his way towards the front and on lap 12, moved into the second spot. Cheney knew if he made it to the second spot, the two drivers would tie with points, but Cheney’s overall win total was the deciding factor. Cheney won six main events this season, while Law, even with tonight’s win, had accumulated three wins. In victory lane Law acknowledged Cheney’s season saying, “Congrats to Kyle, he is the champ.” Law went on to say, while not calling it a retirement from racing said, “I am going to take some time away next year and spend more time with the kids and family.” Cheney said, “We knew once we got to second and if Howard was leading, that we would win the championship.” It was a memorable season between those two and we were all lucky to witness it. Matt Beardslee ran in the second spot most of the race but held on to finish third. He earned enough points to capture fourth in points overall, and the rookie of the year honors. Devin Koranda raced his way up into a fourth-place finish in the race. Jason Clayton Sr. rounded out fifth place in the race, and finished third overall in the points.
Crate Winged sprint cars also crowned a new track champion. Koa Crane led the way with four wins this season. Yet, the main event did not go his way. Luckily, he only needed to take the original green flag to earn starting main event points to capture the championship by six-points over Matthew Kaiser. On the second start, Crane was collected in a turn three accident. Crane was unable to continue. The race itself was a thriller. Caleb Ingle took the early lead. Ingle led the first 11 laps. On lap 12, Misty Castleberry passed Ingle for the lead. Castleberry would go on to lead the final eight laps and secure her first win at Marysville Raceway since February. It was a well-deserved and much needed way for her and the team to end the championship season. Kaiser was able to get around Ingle late in the race for second. Mike Hall and Jacob Johnson rounded out the top five. It was another great night of racing for this division. Credit goes to Jason Ballantine, who finished third in the points. Derek Droivold enjoyed a first full season of racing and finished fourth in points. Caleb Ingle finished off a great first full year to finish fifth.
If there is a Cinderella type story this season at Marysville, then the winged 360 sprint car main event winner is a great candidate. How about 60-year-old Peter Paulson leading all 25-laps and winning the 360-winged main event. It was his first winged win since 2019, a race he won at Antioch. He has some various wingless wins, but tonight’s win was special. Making only his third start of the season, Paulson was dominant during the race. He was never seriously challenged for the win. Chasing him for most of the night was Austin Taborski. On lap 20, Taborski was passed by Carson Hammes. But three laps later, Hammes would suddenly stop with a mechanical issue. This put Taborski back into second place and the place he would finish. Cody Gray made his first start of the season a success, as he finished in the third spot. Carson Hall started 17th and methodically worked his way up through the field. He avoided multiple wrecks and when the checkered flag waived, Hall scored an impressive fourth place finish. Koa Crane raced up to a fifth-place finish. One more championship race remains for the winged 360 sprints. It will take place this upcoming September 14. Carson Hammes leads Dawson Hammes by 15-points.
Full results are located here: https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/2791393
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