Wingless 360 Sprints
Petaluma, CA
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
By Debbie Shipherd

Murphy Sweeps Petaluma’s “Run What You Brung” Show

Tarlton & Sons’ Peter Murphy took home the $2500.00 purse at Petaluma’s Wingless 360 Run What You Brung show on Friday September 4, turning a fast time of 14.197, winning his heat race and the thirty lap feature. Murphy drove the last nine laps while nursing a flat front tire and was followed to the checkers by Blake Miller, Santa Rosa’s Jason McIntosh, Cameron Park’s Marc MacKay, and Eric Rossi of Gilroy.

This was Petaluma’s 4^th annual Run What You Brung show where both carbureted and injected Wingless 360 Sprints compete together. Twenty nine teams braved the holiday traffic for this race that showcased the talents of a wide variety of drivers including several USAC regulars towing from Southern California. The roster had fourteen of the regular Petaluma Wingless Spec Sprint drivers, but many of them traded their two barrel carburetors for injectors for this race. Another Southern Californian, the esteemed writer Norm Bogan was also in attendance, his third visit to Petaluma Speedway this season.

Promoter Jim Soares addressed the teams at the driver’s meeting by thanking everyone for coming and emphasizing that it was a holiday weekend and this race was just for fun and bragging rights. He also displayed a beautiful Gold Cup trophy, the first one awarded in 1951 at the race at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.

After qualifying, four eight lap heat races ran, and the top four finishers would transfer to the A main and get their qualifying times back. Murphy brought home the win in the first heat from a sixth starting spot in flag to flag action followed by Santa Rosa’s Arvo Backholm, Floyd Alvis of San Carlos, Gilroy’s Eric Rossi, LOK Enterprises’ Keith Shipherd, Shawn Arriaga, Fresno’s TJ Smith, and Red Line Oil’s Sparky Howard.

Concord’s Billy Macedo won heat two from a front row start and was chased by Placerville’s James Sweeney, Jason McIntosh, Clark’s Auto & Marine’s Dave Press, Orland’s Tony Richards, and Timmy DeCarlo of Morgan Hill. Petaluma’s Norm Johns took a wild ride when he flipped in the heat but he was fortunately unharmed.

Santa Rosa’s Dustin Baxter started on the front row of heat three and led all eight laps for the win. He was followed by Benicia’s Billy Aton, Brandon Davis, Oxnard’s Josh Ford, Scotty Dupont, Santa Rosa’s Randy Lathrop and Sonoma’s Ford Cook. Cook unfortunately flipped his new car and was taken to the hospital. His mom reported that he has several fractured disks but won’t require surgery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Riverside City’s Blake Miller won heat four and was followed closely by Devon Ostheimer, Marc MacKay, Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Sebastpol’s Jim Van Lare, Tom Dupont, and S & J Machine’s Rick Sharp, who had motor issues.

Tony Richards won the twelve lap B main where the top six finishers would transfer to the back of the A main. Also making the transfer were Keith Shipherd, Sparky Howard, TJ Smith, Jim Van Lare, and Tom Dupont.

The A main began with Civil War champion Andy Forsberg in the front row next to Rohnert Park’s Brandon Davis with Jason McIntosh and Peter Murphy in row two. Forsberg darted into the lead at the green with Davis, Murphy and McIntosh close on his tail. On lap eleven second running Davis pulled out with motor problems, putting Murphy behind Forsberg. Forsberg held the lead until he tangled while attempting to pass a lapped car and both cars were out with damage. Murphy also suffered a flat front tire but managed to maintain his lead. Miller made an exciting last corner, last lap pass on McIntosh to take second, and was followed by McIntosh, MacKay and Rossi in the top five. Arvo Backholm who finished 7^th received an additional $300.00 for the top finishing carbureted Wingless Spec Sprint and Dave Press was awarded an extra $200.00 for his 8^th place finish. Congratulations to all the teams for competing in this fun race.

After the races, teams were treated to free chili, beer or a soft drink courtesy of the fantastic Petaluma Speedway staff, who always try to make racing fun. Drive safe, have fun and take care.

Summary: Friday, Sept 4
WINGLESS SPRINTS


Fast time—Peter Murphy 14.197.

Heat 1—Murphy, Arvo Backholm; Floyd Alvis; Eric Rossi; Keith Shipherd; Shawn Arriaga; TJ Smith; Sparky Howard.

Heat 2—Billy Macedo, James Sweeney; Jason McIntosh; Dave Press; Tony Richards; Timmy DeCarlo; Norm Johns.

Heat 3—Dustin Baxter, Billy Aton; Brandon Davis; Josh Ford; Scotty Dupont; Randy Lathrop; Ford Cook.

Heat 4—Blake Miller; Devon Ostheimer; Marc Mackay; Andy Forsberg; Jim Van Lare; Tom Dupont; Rick Sharp.

B-Main—Richards; Shipherd; Howard; Smith; Van Lare; T. Dupont; S. Dupont; Arriaga; DeCarlo; Lathrop.

A-Main—Murphy; Miller; McIntosh; Mackay; Rossi; Ford; Backholm; Press; Macedo; Aton; Howard; Ostheimer; Alvis; Richards; Smith; T. Dupont; Forsberg; Shipherd; Baxter; Sweeney; Davis; Van Lare.

 

Wingless Spec Sprints
Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA
Sat. July 11, 2009

Ensign Earns First Petaluma Victory

Sebastapol’s Geoff Ensign led the last laps of the feature event at Petaluma Speedway on Saturday, July 11 to capture his first win in a Wingless Spec Sprint, a milestone in any racer’s career. Ensign challenged pole starter Dustin Baxter for much of the fast paced race, taking the lead on lap seventeen. MDR’s Devon Ostheimer, Santa Rosa’s Baxter, Fairfield’s Zack Lynskey and Hunt Magnetos’ Terry Schank rounded out the top five spots of the twenty- two car field.

Another record breaking thirty car field of high caliber Wingless Spec Sprints showed for Petaluma’s sixth point race of the season, including multiple BCRA Midget champion Floyd Alvis of San Carlos in just his second race in a Spec Sprint.

Four eight lap heat races ran, with the top four finishers in each transferring directly to the A main. S & S Automotive’s Ryan Bernal brought home heat race one in flag to flag action with Devon Ostheimer, Jason McIntosh and Elkhorn Cellars’ Lucas Nerlove rounding out the top four spots. Pappas Piping’s Tommy Laliberte won heat two with Red Line Oil’s Zack Lynskey, Brianz Auto Body’s Dave Press and Contra Costa Auto Parts’ Keith Shipherd also making the transfer spots. Arvo Backholm won heat three from a pole start and was chased to the checkers by Geoff Ensign, Matt Streeter, and San Carlos’ Floyd Alvis. The fourth heat win went to Santa Rosa’s Marcus Hardina with Dustin Baxter, Billy Macedo, and Antioch’s Dan Gonderman all close on his heels.

Hunt Magnetos’ Terry Schank was the victor in the twelve lap B main as Modesto’s Kent Stephens, Johnson Custom Machine’s Brandon Davis, Randy Lathrop, Belmont’s Gary Deemer and S & J Machine’s Rick Sharp filled the remaining transfer spots. Davis did double duty driving this evening as he ran into motor issues in his Spec Sprint Friday night. He brought his winged injected 360 to race and his crew, pulling an all-nighter doing repairs surprised him w/ his Spec Sprint arriving at the track

Baxter and Ensign started on the front row of the twenty-five lap feature with Lynskey and Ostheimer behind them. Baxter took the lead with Ensign, Lynskey, Ostheimer and Laliberte charging hard behind him. An early yellow for a spun McIntosh that collected Shipherd was the only stop in the fast paced action and the top five running order remained unchanged. Ensign continued to pressure Baxter and Lynskey darted into the second spot, a lap later Ensign retook second and Ostheimer quickly moved into third. With nine laps to go, Ensign powered into the lead and at the checkers it was Geoff Ensign taking his first Spec Sprint win followed by Ostheimer, Baxter and Lynskey. Hard charger of the night was Terry Schank, who finished fifth from a seventeenth starting spot.

Petaluma’s next race for the Spec Sprints will be on Saturday July 25. We thank the Petaluma staff for their warm hospitality and our fellow racers for always making it fun. Drive safe, have fun and take care.

Summary:

Heat 1: Ryan Bernal, Devon Ostheimer, Jason McIntosh, Lucas Nerlove, Kent Stephens, Gary Deemer, Brandon Pollock, Allan Clark

Heat 2: Tommy Laliberte, Zack Lynskey, Dave Press, Keith Shipherd, Dan Payne, Timmy Decarlo, Dusty Barton, Randy Lathrop

Heat 3: Arvo Backholm, Geoff Ensign, Matt Streeter, Floyd Alvis, Rick Sharp, Jason Woodruff, Mike Mossi

Heat 4: Marcus Hardina, Dustin Baxter, Billy Macedo, Dan Gonderman, Scotty Dupont, Brandon Davis, Terry Schank

B Main: Schank, Stephens, Davis, Lathrop, Deemer, Sharp, Woodruff, Clark, Mossi, Payne, Pollock

A Main: Ensign, Ostheimer, Baxter, Lynskey, Schank, Streeter, Hardina, Laliberte, Press, Bernal, Backholm, Davis, Stephens, Alvis, Gonderman, Deemer, Lathrop, Shipherd, Macedo, Sharp, Nerlove, McIntosh

 

Wingless Spec Sprints
Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA
Saturday June 13, 2009
By Debbie Shipherd

*Schank Posts Second **Petaluma** Win*

* *Hunt Magneto’s Terry Schank led the last laps of the Wingless Spec Sprint feature on Saturday June 13 at Petaluma’s 3/8 mile track and claimed his second victory there this season. Schank deftly carved his way into the lead on a tricky track from a fifteenth starting spot in a full twenty-three car feature field. Last week’s winner Brandon Davis powered his Johnson Custom Machines’ sprinter into the second spot and was chased to the checkers by Concord’s Billy Macedo, Napa’s Lucas Nerlove and Foster City’s Dave Press.

This was Petaluma’s fifth point race of the season for the Wingless Spec Sprints and twenty-eight teams showed up to race in this fast growing class. At the conclusion of the driver’s meeting promoter Jim Soares told drivers they would need their “chaps and spurs once the sun goes down” and that proved to be very true on the rough, tacky track this evening.

Four 6 lap heat races ran, with the top four finishers of each making up the front of the A main. Rohnert Park’s Brandon Davis won heat one from a pole start. Antioch’s Dan Gonderman lost power with magneto problems for the first yellow and at the checkers it was Davis, Matt Streeter, Macedo, and Allan Clark in the top transfer spots. Santa Rosa’s Arvo Backholm won the second heat that saw a red flag when Redwood City’s rookie Frank Addiego rolled his car. Complaining of back pain, the paramedics removed Frank on a backboard and transported him to the hospital. Keep Frank in your thoughts and prayers. The finish for the second heat was Backholm, Devon Ostheimer, Fairfield’s Zack Lynskey and S & J Machine’s Rick Sharp. American Auctioneering’s Scotty Dupont was the victor in the third heat, taking the win from a pole start and was followed by Sebastpol’s Geoff Ensign, Nunley Farms’ Jason McIntosh and Terry Schank. S & S Automotive’s Ryan Bernal took the heat four win with Pappas Piping’s Tommy Laliberte, Dave Press and Elkhorn Cellars’ Lucas Nerlove finishing in the transfer spots.

Marcus Hardina of Santa Rosa won the twelve lap B main, with Contra Costa Auto Part’s Keith Shipherd, Dusty Barton, Modesto’s Al Ghiorso, Gary Deemer, Mike Mossi and Daly City’s Brandon Pollock rounding out the field for the A main.

The feature lined up with a 6 invert putting MDR Machine’s Devon Ostheimer on the pole next to Moeller Brothers’ Matt Streeter. Ostheimer vaulted into the lead at the green with Bernal and Streeter in hot pursuit. An early yellow slowed the action when Deemer lost a wheel. Ostheimer led the restart with Bernal, Streeter, Ensign, and Backholm in tight formation behind him. It was definitely a “cowboy up” track with drivers navigating the rough surface with their elbows up. A lap eight yellow reshuffled the field and the running order was Ostheimer, Bernal, Streeter, Macedo and Schank in the top five spots. On lap ten Ostheimer stalled with mechanical issues and collected Bernal and Streeter, putting the top three cars out of contention, with Schank the new leader. Schank held the lead as Davis charged up the field into second. Behind them sixth running Laliberte attacked the track on the high side and took a wild ride through the turn one wall. He fortunately popped out of the car unharmed. The checkers flew at lap eighteen, and it was Schank, Davis, Macedo, Nerlove and Press in the top five spots.

Petaluma’s next point race for the Wingless Spec Sprints is on Saturday July11, but several teams have shown an interest in joining the USAC/CRA race next Saturday June 20. Promoter Jim Soares has graciously offered to comp in any WSS or injected 360 car and driver as long as they meet the USAC requirements for a Hans device and specific tires. He will guarantee $200 to any car making the main. For more information contact Petaluma at (707) 763-7223. Drive safe, have fun and take care.

Summary:

*Heat 1*: Brandon Davis, Matt Streeter, Billy Macedo, Allan Clark, Keith Shipherd, Dan Gonderman , Jason Woodruff (DNS)
*
Heat 2*: Arvo Backholm, Devon Ostheimer, Zack Lynskey, Rick Sharp, Dusty Barton, Frank Addiego, Brian Azevedo (DNS)
*
Heat 3*: Scott Dupont, Geoff Ensign, Jason McIntosh, Terry Schank, Gary Deemer, Al Ghiorso, Jack Clark
*
Heat 4*: Ryan Bernal, Tommy Laliberte, Dave Press, Lucas Nerlove, Marcus Hardina, Mike Mossi, Brandon Pollock

*B main*: Hardina, Shipherd, Barton, Ghiorso, Deemer, Mossi, Pollock, J.Clark, Woodruff

*A main: *Schank*, *Davis, Macedo, Nerlove, Press, Sharp, Backholm, Hardina, Barton, Lynskey, Laliberte, Pollock, Shipherd, A.Clark, Ghiorso, Ostheimer, Bernal, Streeter, Ensign, McIntosh, Mossi, Dupont, Deemer

 

Chowchilla Speedway 06-06-09

Brian Sperry, David Goodwill, Chris Kootnz and Dan Gonderman
thrilled the crowd with the action packed side by side racing in the
Spec Sprint/NCMA shootout. But before the race could be decided
between the leaders Doug Gandy went for a wild ride on lap 14 as
his Spec Sprint car had a right front flat and as he entered turn one
the rim went down into the race track flipping his car wildly. Tires and
wheels went flying everywhere and when the smoke cleared Doug
emerged from the wreckage unhurt.

When the race resumed Gonderman, Goodwill and Sperry fought to
take control of the race with Sperry finally getting the point after a fight
for the front position with just two laps remaining. When the checkers
flew it was Sperry, Goodwill, Gonderman, Hickman, and Kootnz in the
top five positions.

Wingless Spec Sprints
Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, Ca
Saturday, June 6, 2009
By Debbie Shipherd

*Davis Claims Decisive Win at Petaluma*

Rohnert Park’s Brandon Davis scored a solid win in his Johnson’s Custom Machine owned Wingless Spec Sprint on Saturday June 6 at Petaluma Speedway, dominating all but a few of the early laps in the fast twenty lap feature. The twenty-two car field ran at an amazing pace on the hooked up track, with Moeller Brothers’ Matt Streeter, Hunt Magneto’s Terry Schank, S & S Automotive’s Ryan Bernal and Pappas Piping’s Tommy Laliberte rounding out the top five spots. Davis was also one of several to beat the 3/8 mile track one lap qualifying record, with Sebastapol’s Geoff Ensign’s 14.11 lap the new time to beat.

This was Petaluma’s fourth point race for the Wingless Spec Sprints and a record number of thirty teams showed up to race at the fast track with the outstanding hospitality. We welcomed several new teams, including a few rookies. Morgan Hill’s Timmy DeCarlo experienced his first race in his Feather Haven Feed sponsored Wingless Spec Sprint after just graduating from High School the previous night.

A Civil War style program was run with qualifying, heat races (with the top four finishers going to the A main and getting their times back), and a B main with the top six finishers transferring to the feature as well.

Four eight lap heat races ran and Clark’s Auto and Marine’s Dave Press brought home heat race number one with Matt Streeter, Red Line Oil’s Zack Lynskey and Geoff Ensign rounding out the top four spots. Carmichael’s Josh Bates suffered an unfortunate flip in the heat but was unharmed. Santa Rosa’s Arvo Backholm won heat two with Terry Schank, Tommy Laliberte and Modesto’s Al Ghiorso also making the transfer spots. Santa Rosa’s Scotty Dupont was the victor in heat three, carving his way up from a sixth starting spot and was followed to the checkers by Morgan Hill’s Devon Ostheimer, Allan Clark and Belmont’s Gary Deemer. The fourth heat win went to Keller- Williams’ Scott Hall of Lincoln with Brandon Davis, Santa Rosa’s Marcus Hardina and Hollister’s Ryan Bernal all close on his heels.

The twelve lap B main ran fast and flag to flag with Contra Costa Auto Part’s Keith Shipherd earning the win as Midas’ Jack Clark, S & J Machine’s Rick Sharp, Jason Woodruff, Dusty Barton and Antioch’s Roy Fisher raced to fill the remaining transfer spots.

Davis and Ostheimer sat in the front row for the feature lineup with Schank and Ensign behind them. Ostheimer got the jump at the green and an intense battle ensued on the challenging track surface. On lap four Davis took the lead and never looked back as Ostheimer dropped back with some mechanical issues. Streeter and Schank were close on his tail putting the pressure on, but Davis was elbows up running the high line and diced through traffic with finesse. The laps wound down at an incredible pace with no yellows to slow the action down. At the checkered flag it was Brandon Davis capturing his first win of the season with Streeter, Schank, Bernal and Laliberte rounding out the top five spots.

Capping off a night of great racing, Petaluma’s staff served up a barbequed chicken dinner to everyone in the pits as part of a celebration for Petaluma’s Shawn McCoy’s 700^th consecutive Super Stock race. We are always thankful for the opportunity to race at Petaluma Speedway and thank our Wingless Spec Sprint racing teams for always making it fun. Petaluma will have another Wingless Spec Sprint race on Saturday June 13. Drive safe, have fun and take care.

Summary:

WINGLESS SPRINT CARS
Fast time: Geoff Ensign 14.113 NTR.

Heat 1: Dave Press; Matt Streeter; Zack Lynskey; Ensign; Keith Shipherd; Timmy DeCarlo; Mike Mossi; Josh Bates.

Heat 2: Arvo Backholm; Terry Schank Jr.; Tommy Laliberte; Al Ghiorso; Roy Fisher; DJ Johnson; Jason Woodruff; Frank Addiego.

Heat 3: Scotty Dupont; Devon Ostheimer; Alan Clark; Gary Deemer; Brandon Pollack; Dusty Barton; Jason McIntosh.

Heat 4: Scott Hall; Brandon Davis; Marcus Hardina; Ryan Bernal; Jack Clark; Rick Sharp; Buddy Joe Beaumont.

B-Main: Shipherd; J. Clark; Sharp; Woodruff; Barton; Fisher; Addiego; DeCarlo; Pollack; Beaumont.

A-Main: Davis; Streeter; Schank; Bernal; Laliberte; Backholm; Lynskey; Press; Shipherd; Hardina; Sharp; Ghiorso; J. Clark; Woodruff; A. Clark; Fisher; Ensign; Ostheimer; Hall; Dupont; Deemer; Barton.

 

Wingless Spec Sprints
Chowchilla SpeedwayMay 2, 2009
By Debbie Shipherd

 Bernal Earns First Chowchilla Victory

 S & S Automotive’s Ryan Bernal won the twenty-five lap feature at Chowchilla Speedway on Saturday May 2, taking the early lead from Modesto’s Kent Stephens and charging hard to the checkers with Stephens constantly nipping at his tail. Clarks Auto & Marine’s Dave Press, Atlas Piping’s Tommy Laliberte and Antioch’s Dan Gonderman rounded out the top five.

 This was the first of ten Spec Sprint point shows at the newly reopened 1/3 mile track. Ten Wingless Spec Sprint teams made the tow to support the class and to check out what new promoter Kenny Shepherd and crew had done. Improvements include a freshly painted new sign in booth and a smooth road into the pits. There’s a new building for the pit board and drivers meeting area, the track itself has been lengthened ten feet with new clay and the corners and straights are wider.

 With the threat of rain coming, the show was tightened up and ran quickly, with mud packing and a short hot lap session following the drivers meeting. We met and welcomed a new young driver to the class; 14 year old Christian Hickman from Chowchilla who experienced his first race in his Rod Lake Racing sponsored Spec Sprint. It was also nice to see Kent Stephens of Modesto back in action after taking last season off. Another welcome face there was “Davey Boy” Dave Munoz who is announcing once again at Chowchilla.

 Two six lap heat races ran, with talented young Ryan Bernal taking the first win. Pole sitter S & J Machine’s Rick Sharp held the lead for the first four laps as Bernal patiently worked his way up from a fifth starting spot. At the checkers it was Bernal, Sharp, and San Jose’s Tommy Laliberte in the top three. Foster City’s Dave Press won heat two, taking the lead at the green and was chased closely by Stephens and Contra Costa Auto Parts’ Keith Shipherd. Stephens won the dash over Laliberte, Sharp and Press.

 Chowchilla’s crew re-groomed and watered the track prior to the feature event. A four invert pill was drawn, putting Stephens and Sharp in the front row with Press and Bernal in row two. Stephens bolted into the lead at the green with Bernal, Press and Laliberte in tight formation behind him. On lap eight, Bernal got under Stephens for the lead but the action was just starting. Stephens battled hard, hounding Bernal lap after lap, challenging in every corner and trying different lines. Soon lapped traffic came into play as the leaders charged around the track. Deemer unfortunately pitted on lap ten with suspected motor issues, and Bernal continued his smooth run with Stephens in the hunt looking for a slight bobble as Press, Laliberte and Gonderman closed in. At the checkers it was Bernal taking the well earned win followed by Stephens, Press, Laliberte and Gonderman in the top five.

 Thanks to the Chowchilla Speedway crew for a fun racing experience and to our fellow racers who gave the fans a good taste of Wingless Spec Sprint racing. Drive safe, have fun and take care.

 Summary:

Heat 1: Ryan Bernal, Rick Sharp, Tommy Laliberte, Dan Gonderman, Gary Deemer
Heat 2: Dave Press, Kent Stephens, Keith Shipherd, Kris Koontz, Christian Hickman
Dash: Stephens, Laliberte, Sharp, Press
Main: Bernal, Stephens, Press, Laliberte, Gonderman, Sharp, Koontz, Shipherd, Hickman, Deemer