Drake Standley Drives to Victory Lane
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marysville Raceway; dennis@gagepromotions.com
Drake Standley Drives to Victory at Marysville
MARYSVILLE, Calif., June 1, 2024…Youth was served once again Saturday night at Marysville Raceway when 20-year-old Drake Standley won the exciting 25-lap sprint car main event. Standley was cool, calm, and collected as he withstood many late race restarts to hold off former race winner Jake Haulot. Standley was the class of the field all race long. Even when he encountered slow traffic, Standley handled them with ease. Standley will continue to be a force the rest of the season and with this win put the sprint car racing community on notice. Haulot was never able to seriously contend for the lead and left Marysville with a solid second place finish.
Carson Hammes was on a mission tonight. The current track point leader started deep in the main event. Hammes originally lined up 13th and knew he had 25-laps to improve. Hammes showcased his skill by passing 10 cars and finishing third. Hammes passed William Fielding for the third spot with just a few laps to go. Fielding ran fourth. Caleb Debem was impressive to watch in his first start at Marysville. The Aromas driver started 16th and finished fifth.
With the large car count, four heat races were needed. Winning those eight lap races were Koa Crane, Billy Wallace, Dryver Dothage, and Drake Standley.
The 12-lap B main event was dominated by Cole Schroeder. He held over a six-second lead over second place finishing Carson Hall.
Seth Standley turned the fastest lap in qualifying. His blistering fast 12.469 seconds lap was better than the other 24 competitors who competed during championship point race No. 11.
A star-studded field of 15 Turn Key ATM Service, inc. Hobby Stock drivers took the green flag during their 20-lap main event. The race was one of the cleanest to date as only two cautions slowed the race, both being for debris on the track. Rookie extraordinaire Matt Beardslee was up front and doing a great job by leading the first nine laps of the race. Chasing him were some of best in the business led by Phillip Shelby, Kyle Cheney, and Howard Law. Shelby, driving the famed No. 17c of Brian Cooper, rose to the challenge and passed Beardslee as they were about to complete lap 10. Beardslee was trying to hold onto second after a spirited battle with Cheney but with a few laps to go, Cheney found the right line and moved into the second spot for good. Shelby pulled away from the rest of the field and won the race by nearly four-seconds. Cheney finished second. Beardslee held off point leader Howard Law for third. Gary Holsey was competitive all night and finished fifth. Cheney won the first eight-lap heat race of the night. Shelby won heat race two. It was a clean sweep for Shelby and his team.
Only five IMCA Northen Sport Mods attended tonight’s race. However, the lack of cars did not mean a lack of entertainment. Give these five drivers credit as they put on a great race and the best finish of the night. Shaun Merritt led from the get-go. Merritt won the lone eight lap heat race prior to the main event. Mark Garner chased and shadowed Merritt the entire time in both the heat race and now in this main event. Three cautions slowed the event on lap nine, and lap 17 when William Merritt stopped, and the ensuing restart saw debris on the track. The final three laps lined up and Garner from Antioch, CA, knew it was go-time. On the final lap of the race, Garner was able to race to the side of Merritt and ultimately pass Merritt for the lead. Garner raced to the checkered flag first and the crowd erupted in applause. It was a thrilling ending to a good race. Raymond Lindeman finished third. KC Carpenter was fourth and William Merritt ended up fifth.
Ron Ruiz won both the heat race and main event for the Vintage Hardtop division. Three cars attended the event. Second in both races was Roger McShain and Joe Shenfeld was third.
Racing returns to Marysville on June 15th with four divisions and a special Father’s Day discount only available at the front gate. More details will be provided in an upcoming press release.
Full results from this race can be found here https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/2642485
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