6/7/2013
Silver Dollar Speedway
New Winner's Emerge for 2013
CHICO, CA (6-7-13) -Â One of the most glorified drivers in the history of Silver Dollar Speedway parked his dirt modified in a familiar spot, the front stretch after the races were over. Richard Papenhausen dominated the dirt modified main event during Friday night's Wells Fargo point championship racing at the speedway. Papenhausen started in the fourth spot but quickly moved his way towards the front. Mark Abouzeid led the first part of the main event. By his own admission, Abouzeid has not been on his game this year. However, tonight the track was back to his liking and Abouzeid showed his championship form again. Yet, tonight, no one had anything for Papenhausen. Richard drove around Abouzeid for the lead and never looked back. At one point, Papenhausen nearly held a full straight away lead. Sixth place starting Duane Cleveland moved around Abouzeid in the later part of the race to secure a second place finish. It was the first time this season Papenhausen has won a main event at Chico. For the most part, Ryan McDaniel had been unbeatable but the track champion finished in the fifth spot. Petaluma's Oreste Gonella drove a hard race and finished fourth. Cleveland and Abouzeid picked up the heat race wins tonight.
Another driver who has had amazing success at the Chico speedway but held out of victory lane in 2013 was Kevin Lesch. The former street stock champion moved around early leader Shawn Smith and went on to capture his first win of the year. The division had been dominated by Jake Vantol this year. Vantol started sixth but could only get up to a third place finish. Kevin Ward drove the best race of his season by holding off Vantol and finishing in the second spot. Richard Workman and Gary Newman rounded out the top five. Ward and Vantol each won their heat race.
Even though she crossed the finish line in the fourth spot during Friday nights winged economy sprint car main event, Shawna Overton was declared the winner when the top three failed post-race inspections. Overton became the first female sprint car driver to win at Chico since Destiney Hays. Following her in finished order was Bill Hopper and Gary Koster. Overton was able to make her way out to the infield of the track and enjoy a winner's lane interview by Gary Thomas.
Ten Dwarf car drivers attended the night's races. In the end it was Mike Grenert winning the main event. Grenert started third but got by Ryan Winter for the lead. Winter spun around at one point and had to work his way back towards the front. Kevin Bender started sixth but moved his way into the second spot late in the race. Bender was never able to give Grenert a serious challenge for the lead. Grenert won the second heat race while Bender was victorious in heat one.
All results are available at www.silverdollarspeedway.com.
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