Koa Crane Wins Fourth Main; Sanders Claims Hall Memorial
Three In a Row for Sanders; Four out of Six for Krane
Written by: Sir Gary Thomas and Troy Hennig
Aromas, California’s Justin Sanders continued his torrid pace to start the Sprint Car Challenge Tour season, racing to his third victory in as many races on Saturday at Marysville Raceway’s Mel & Marlyn Hall Memorial.
With extra money raised by the Hall Family and the Shop Kyle Larson Bonus factored in, Sanders and car owner Dale Miller walked out of Marysville $3,500 richer. It marked Sanders’ 11th career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour triumph and his second at the Mel & Marlyn Hall Memorial.
“It’s been a great start to the season for this Dale Miller Septic 4SA team,” Sanders commented in victory lane. “You had to be really patient through all the stoppages and luckily, we were able to get past Tanner Carrick there for the lead. I can’t thank everybody enough who supports this car.”
The Crate Sprint cars 20-lap main event was won by the talented Koa Crane of Plumas Lake. Crane started 11th and thrilled the capacity crowd as he charged to the front. Crane not only took the lead but went on to win the race by over 2 and a half seconds over Derek Droivold. Caleb Ingle engaged in a spirited battle with Droivold but ultimately settled for third. For both Droivold and Ingel, a win is coming soon.
Mike Ballantine continued to impress and finished fourth. Mike is also on the verge of getting to victory lane this season. Cort Marchuk rounded out the top five. The only other driver on the lead lap was K.C. Carpenter who finished sixth. The final yellow of the night occurred coming off turn four when Misty Castleberry slowed from a mechanical issue and was rearended by Matthew Kaiser. Both cars were unable to continue.
DUE TO POPUALR DEMAND: The Crate Sprints have been added to the schedule on June 15 and August 3. The schedule on our website has been updated and information about the two nights is posted in the pit area. Both added races will be championship point shows.
Qualifying was held for the Crate Sprints and Crane was the fastest out of the 13 other drivers who turned laps. His lap time was 13.653 seconds. Droivold won the first heat. Ingle donated the second heat win by over 5 seconds.
The 35-lap main event for the SCCT 360s began with outside front row starter Michael Faccinto looping it to a stop in the opening corner. Unfortunately, it was a precursor of things to come, as several slow downs plagued the contest.
When going green Lincoln’s Tanner Carrick set the early pace, as he raced to close to home on Saturday. Sanders stalked the tail tank of the TC Guide Service No. 83T with drivers battling for position throughout the field. Right around lap 20 traffic came into play and created the race changing pass up front.
With Carrick getting a bit tight off turn two Sanders charged around to scoop up the lead that he would never relinquish. Persevering through a handful of more restarts, he drove off to accept the checkered flag.
Carrick crossed the stripe in second followed by 10th starter Shane Hopkins in the High Sierra Industries No. 21, who had a career best night with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour. It was back-to-back solid performances for the Placerville driver, after also bringing home a podium in Placerville two weeks back.
Oakley’s Dylan Bloomfield aboard the Vertullo Racing No. 83v and Roseville’s Sean Becker in the Monhoff Racing No. 35 completed the top-five. The remainder of the top-10 was filled out by Andy Forsberg, who was one of many drivers who went to the rear at one point, Travis Labat, Dominic Gorden, Austin Wood and 20th starter Dawson Hammes.
Steel Powell carved his way from 23rd to 11th, earning the Pit Stop USA Hard Charger Award. William Fielding took home the $100 first non-transfer award courtesy of D&D Roofing.
Ryan Bernal picked off the B-main, while Tanner Carrick captured the High Sierra Industries Dash.
Heat race wins went to Dylan Bloomfield, Travis Labat, Tanner Carrick and Colby Copeland. A strong field of 39 cars competed on Saturday night with Justin Sanders earning his third straight Sierra Foothills Wine Services fast time award to begin the campaign. He toured the quarter mile in 12.446 seconds.
The Hall Family must be commended for their efforts in raising extra money for the racers on Saturday. The A-main was elevated to a minimum of $3,000-to-win/ $500-to-start, along with additional money added to the B-main thanks to the Hall Family and all the generous donors.
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