7/3/2013
Sprint Source
ENSIGN KEEPS ROLLING..WINS 6TH MAIN EVENT OF 2013
In the end it’s another tally in the win column, but getting there was most of the problem for Sebastopol’s “Human Highlight Reel” Geoff Ensign last Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway. Driving the familiar VanLare Steering Repair/McClish Motorsports/Advanced Auto Detail/Rapid Rooter/Rod Buntjer Bail Bonds/Sonoma County $100 Club #5v, and with representatives from the newest sponsors Cameron & Cameron Vineyard and Ranch Supply and Wagoner Tail Spa in attendance, Ensign fought an ill handling car to the finish and came out on top, his sixth win of the 2013 season and 23rd overall, matching his age, in his career spanning just three years.
Ensign would qualify third overall out of the 17 sprint cars signed on for the night, and start 5th in his heat race. Making quick work, Ensign jumped into the second spot almost immediately down the backstretch and hounded leader Art McCarthy for the duration. As McCarthy exited turn four, his driveline broke, and Ensign nailed McCarthy on the wire for the heat race win.
Starting 5th in the main even after the inversion draw, Ensign would find himself moving up a row when, on the original start, the leader came to a stop in turn four, causing a complete restart. Early on, Ensign knew his car wasn’t quite right. “I don’t know if a shock went bad, we missed the setup or what to tell you the truth.” Ensign would say later. “All I know is it was a handful.”
Ensign would move into second when the second place car got upside down, then doggedly chased leader and three time Petaluma Speedway track champion Alissa Geving for the next 15 laps on a classic hooked up and flying Petaluma Speedway surface, his car hippity hopping through turns 1 and 2 and threatening to tip over in 3 and 4 multiple times. On lap 21, traffic was reached. “You always want to be second getting into traffic. You get to see what’s happening in front of you, and don’t do what they do. Anyone who tells you the front is the place to be in traffic is lying.” On lap 22 Ensign would make the winning move, and fight through more handling issues as he took the checkers. “Not sure if I ever had all four tires on the ground at the same time all race.” Ensign said later. “Thanks to everyone who came to see me tonight..hope you enjoyed the show.”
Ensign would also finish 3rd in the Wingless Sprint Car portion of the festivities in the Johnson Custom Machine #32 making it two podiums and one win on the night.
Next up for Ensign, on the 4th of July, he tries to add another track to the list of tracks he’s won at this year. Already winning at Petaluma four times, Placerville once and Stockton once, Ensign takes to the legendary Silver Dollar Speedway ¼ mile in his wingless sprint car ride, the Johnson Custom Machine #32 looking to add another victory to the ledger, then it’s back to Petaluma Speedway on Saturday the 6th for the Winged Civil War 360 Sprint Car invasion.
To contact Geoff Ensign, Like his Facebook page at Geoff Ensign Motorsports or follow him on Twitter @ensignmotorspts.
Article Credit: RJM Promotions
Submitted By: Ron Lingron