Night One Goes to Endicott, Reeder, and Shrum

Endicott, Reeder and Shrum take Western States openers at Marysville

By: Andrew Kunas

The Western States Dwarf Car Association completed night one of its final national of the season Friday at Marysville Raceway. A total of 103 competitors across three divisions of dwarf cars took to the track.

The Sportsman division, the novice or newer drivers to dwarf cars or perhaps those just not feeling comfortable tangling with the Pros but wanting to get the Western States experience, had 38 competitors draw in. The main event was cut short due to a number of incidents, but in the end it was Kinser Endicott of Corning, CA who took home the win. Travis Gergel impressed everyone as he came out of the B-Main and drove up to finish second. Bennett Gooch was third.

The Vets division, exclusively for drivers 45 years of age and older, had 27 entries. The “old guys” had what was considered the best main event of the night. After Ronnie Williams got a run off the top of Turn 4 to take the lead at the white, Mike Reeder of Placerville, CA threw a slider in Turns 1 and 2, getting back in front of Williams who gave a tap in the back as they exited 2. Reeder held on to the position and won it with the last lap pass. Williams was second and Mark Biscardi was third.

The Pro division, featuring the younger drivers and today’s elite dwarf car racers, had 38 entries as well. Dylan Shrum of Lincoln, CA led all 20 laps and cruised to the Friday night preliminary victory. Second place on back, however, saw furious racing and it was Tommy Velasquez III who secured place over Danny Wagner, Chris Kress and Joe Frock.

This season’s final Western States dwarf car national, hosted locally by the Nor Cal Dwarf Car Association, wraps up Saturday evening at Marysville Raceway. Gates open at 5:00 and racing starts at 6:00.

Sportsman division

Heat 1: Bennett Gooch

Heat 2: John Pipe

Heat 3: Joey Bohard

Heat 4: Fred Dickey

B-Main: Travis Gergel

A-Main Top 5: Kinser Endicott, Travis Gergel, Bennett Gooch, Cody Shrum, John Pipe

Vets division

Heat 1: Brian Quilty

Heat 2: Mike Reeder

Heat 3: Dan Geil

B-Main: Austin Quilty

A-Main Top 5: Mike Reeder, Ronnie Williams, Mark Biscardi, Henry Corbin III, Eric Weisler

Pro division

Heat 1: Dylan Shrum

Heat 2: Jace Badeker

Heat 3: Tommy Velasquez III

Heat 4: Danny Wagner

B-Main: Nick Velasquez

A-Main Top 5: Dylan Shrum, Tommy Velasquez, Danny Wagner, Chris Kress, Joe Frock