Sixty-Six Cars Pack the Pit Area for Point Race No. 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marysville Raceway; dennis@gagepromotions.com
Sixty-Six Cars Pack the Pit Area Saturday Night
MARYSVILLE, Calif., March 10, 2024…Championship point race No. 1 featured nearly 70 competitors eager to get back to the track. The Hobby Stocks led the charge with 30 drivers, followed by the winged 360 sprints with 23, and the Crate Sprints with 13. Even with the cold temperature and unsettling weather, a great grandstands crowd turned out for the entertaining evening of grass roots racing. Before the heat races started, the track held a tribute to Richard “Pops” Dozier featuring five drivers doing memorial laps in his honor.
A full field of Hobby Stock stars took the green flag and embarked on a 20-lap feature event. The division welcomed new sponsorship as Turn-Key ATM Services, INC., believes in these racers and is excited to be a part of their upcoming championship season. Even though the calendar year has changed, the man who ended up in victory lane has stayed the same. Howard Law charged to the front and on lap seven took the lead away from Chris Lewis. While Law was up front cruising, Jacob Bright passed Lewis on lap 11. Deep starting Devin Koranda moved into the third spot a lap later. Bright and Korana had a spirited battle for the second spot. A late caution on the track closed the gap between Law and the rest of the field. In the end, Law was too dominant and won the race with ease. Bright finished second and Koranda third. Kevin Thomas showed speed all night and finished a solid fourth. Maurice Merrill rounded out the top five.
Hobby Stock B main event saw the opportunity for five drivers to transfer. Toby Merrifield was spectacular and won the 12-lap race. Tim Williams, Austin Shelby, rookie competitor Matt Beardslee, and Niles Strever all transferred to the A main event.
The Crate Sprints also welcomed a new sponsor for their division. Dirt Solution has come on board for the 2024 season. Rookie sensation Caleb Ingle led the start of the 20-lap race. On lap nine, sixth place starting Koa Crane took the lead. Ingle’s night ended on lap 17 when contact with a slower care derailed his chance at a strong finish. Fifth place starting Jacob Johnson looks like a new driver. He easily won an eight-lap heat race earlier in the night and raced his way into second place on lap 17. Matthew Kaiser moved into the third spot and continues to be a force in this division. The Toller Memorial winner Misty Castleberry had an up and down night. She ran inside the top five until lap 11 when she was bottled up by slower traffic and this the wall in turn three. She was able to continue, fell back a few spots, and mustered a seventh-place finish. Jason Ballantine held off Derek Droivold for a podium finish. Mike Ballantine rounded out the top five at the finish line. Up front it was all Crane, who early in the night won his eight-lap heat race, giving him a clean sweep. Crane showed lots of speed tonight and looks to be on the verge of a great upcoming season.
Colby Copeland led all 25-laps to capture the winged 360 sprint car win driving the Kyle Standley Motorsports #54L Copeland was the class of the field and lapped up to the fifth position. His nearest competitor was Andy Forsberg but on lap 11 his car got airborne, and he clobbered the wall in turn two. After Forsberg was removed, Tanner Carrick emerged as the next in show. He did his best to keep pace with Copeland but was still nearly three-seconds behind at the checkered flag. Nick Parker finished a distant third but should be commended for his podium finish. Seth Standley had a solid night and finished fourth. Billy Wallace rounded out the top five.
Nick Larson picked up an extra $100 from Paul Olmsted Plastering for turning the quickest lap of the night 12.455. Dawson Hammes won heat race one. Wallace and Standley each won the next two heats.
Next event is set for March 16th.
Full results of this race available here: https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/2533263
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