Koranda Earns First Career Win
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Droivold Wins in Photo Finish; DJ Johnson Dominates Wingless, Koranda Grabs First Win
(Marysville, CA 6/10/23)…Auto racing was fast and furious Saturday night at the Marysville Raceway. A fantastic photo-finish between Carl Droivold and Mike Ballantine electrified the fans. Droivold was awarded the win by the narrowest of margins, 0.037 seconds. Devin Koranda won his first career Hobby Stock main event holding off Howard Law. DJ Johnson returned to victory lane with a dominant Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Tour 25-lap victory.
Mike Ballantine led the first lap of the Crate Sprint main event. His lead was short lived as fourth place starting Jeremy Wilson passed him on lap two. Wilson would lead the next 13 laps until a yellow was needed when Kirk Miner spun in turn one. Little did we all know at that moment, but the next five laps were going to be incredible. After the restart, Mike Ballantine took back the lead. Behind him Carl Droivold and Wilson kept swapping the second spot. Ballantine led at the white flag and Droivold had cleared Wilson. These two raced into turn three and the fight for the win was on. Coming off turn four and headed to the checkered flag, Ballantine and Droivold were dead even. As they approached the finish, the two made contact. Even as they were connected, neither lifted. What transpired was the best Crate Sprint finish off all-time. At the line Droivold was 0.037 seconds ahead. The crowd erupted and the place went bonkers. Wilson hung on for third. Jason Ballantine finished fourth. Tyler George rounded out the top five.
Phillip Shelby led the first lap of the Hobby Stock main event. On the second lap, Shelby had a right rear tire going flat. He ultimately stopped on lap three. This moved Devin Koranda into the lead. Koranda and the team made a late decision to attend tonight’s race. Now he was in the lead and in control of his own destiny. Kyle Cheney was in the second spot. Unfortunately, a loose fuel cap sidelined his strong run. Lurking was Howard Law. On lap eight Law was in the second spot. For the next 12 laps he would pressure Koranda for the lead. Up front Koranda navigated slower traffic to perfection. Only two cautions slowed this fantastic race. Law gave it all he could but was never able to pass Koranda. At the finish line, Koranda bested Law by just 0.239 seconds. It was an amazing way to get his first win. Joe Gillock is steady as they come. Gillock was in the third spot for most of the race and that is where he would finish. Brian Cooper was a nice addition to the field tonight. He was solid as usual and finished fourth. Jacob Bright narrowly beat Zach Lindgren for the fifth-place finish. Sebastian Davis charged from deep in the field into seventh before a mechanical problem forced him into the infield and done for the night on lap 15.
Jacob Tuttle led the first 10 laps of the Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Tour main event. On lap 11, it was hard charging and high-flying DJ Johnson who passed Tuttle and was now the leader. From there on out, Johnson dominated the 25-lap race. Johnson was so impressive tonight. He was the class of the field. On lap 23, Shawn Arriaga moved around Tuttle for second. On the final lap, Nick Robfogel passed Tuttle for third. Trey Walter ran a steady race and finished fifth. A solid 27 wingless drivers attended tonight’s race. The Hunt Magnetos tour continues to be a leader in the open wheel racing category here in Northern California. The semi-main event winner was R.J. Baker. The Heat race wins went to Robfogel, Johnson, Ethon Lanfri, and Arriaga. Tuttle was the fastest time award winner. His lap time was 14.016.
Full results from tonight’s action can be found here: https://speedhive.com/Events/2252627
Additional information may be obtained at 530-350-7275 or at www.marysvilleraceway.com.
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