Tricky track suits Gallardo well
It is finally here! The 2016 Season at Western Tech Speedway Park has officially arrived!! The USRA modifieds will be the highflying main feature tonight as the Gallardo’s of Fito and Jake look to pick up exactly where they left off last season. Also joining the modifieds tonight is the USRA Street Stocks, Casa Nissan Legend cars, Southwest Late models, and the Super Trucks! Packed house and packed pits were a destiny to be some great racing all night.
Super trucks would get the night started as they rolled off for 10 laps. Only 4 of these tanks would join us tonight but it didn’t matter because all you need for a race is 2 anyways. The 501 of Jaime Bejerano would start on the pole. Bejerano with a good jump on the start but it wouldn’t be long before the 01 of Dave Deetz would show his stripes and take the lead on lap 3 out of turn 4 up high. The 80 year old of Sherman Barnett was charging his 82 machine as well but after 3 laps the hood clamps on the 82 would partially break loose and Sherm would have almost no visibility. Sherman would hold onto third but after the hood he had no drive to catch the leaders. Half way in with 5 to go and the 501 was still on the bumper of the 01 but had nowhere to go. Dave Deetz would pull away as the white flag flew and for the first time in 2016 at Western Tech Speedway Park its Dave Deetz taking the checkered in for the super trucks! Jaime Bejerano with a solid drive for second and Sherman Barnett holds on for third.
Legends cars had an attempt at the track 2 weeks ago for the 5,000$ to win spring fling legends race presented by Casa Nissan but tonight its all about the points for the season. The 1x Tom Zuloaga would start on the pole and never look back. The 13 of Justin Lassiter was filling in tonight but that didn’t matter to Justin because starting outside row 4 he would go straight to second before even exiting turn 2! That car was hooked up and grooving once again. The 13 would get to the lead and put on a strong show but wasn’t to be as the 1x bid his time and took the lead back before it was all over. Tough drive from Justin Lassiter in 13 to second. The 237 of Steven “Scuba” Arellano moved his way all the way up through the field to get a third on the night after a rough start. Gunner Harris also moved his #54 from the very back of the pack to get a fourth place. A couple more laps and Harris would have charged the leaders undoubted. Great race from all those drivers once again.
The baddest beasts on dirt where up next. It was Southwest Late Models time! Full field in this one as 17 cars took the green flag for 20 laps. The 3j of Javier Zapien Sr.would start on the pole and lead the first 4 laps but the 44 of Christie Georges-Barnett was not to be denied any longer than that. She would put on a classic showing to get around the 3j but it wasn’t all clear skies for her just yet with 15 to go. Christie would pull way ahead over the next two laps but the J17 had some different plans on the night. From lap 7-9 Jake Gallardo was grabbing gears and hitting his marks like a champ. With 10 gone and 10 to go Christie had the 44 up front but just barely and lappers coming. Out of turn 4 with 9 to go coming up and the 44 would get into the back of a lapped car leaving just enough room for the J17 to squeeze by on the outside and take the lead. The next 9 laps where a breeze for the j17 as he piloted that rocket right into victory lane. First time racing the late model for Jake and he was not to be denied win #1 as well! The 44 held on for second but after big trouble with those lappers she had nowhere to go. The 24x of Ortega rounded out the podium.
USRA Street stocks had some good heat racing and the feature was to be n different. The 44jt Jaime Torres and 74 Jason Josselyn have had some back and forth for the last season and tonight they would run 1 and 2 for the first 8 laps with the 21z of Martin Robinson running right on their bumpers the entire time. Robinson would drive it like a true champ and just wait for the exact moment to pounce. After 8 of 15 laps Robinson would finally make his move and around the 74 he went for second. After taking second it didn’t take long for the 21z to also make work of the 44jt. Good race there but Robinson getting the best f it and going to the lead. With 5 to go the 74 would also clear the 44jt but the 21z Robinson was already pulling ahead. Lap 13 of 15 and Josselyn was holding steady but couldn’t put together quite enough to catch the 21z. The 74 started getting a little bounce through the corners, which after the race was diagnosed as a broken rear shock. Martin Robinson would put on a show for the last two laps and drive away from the field to take win #1 on the 2016 season points at Western Tech Speedway Park. Josselyn held onto second as Jaime Torres tried to charge back onto him but stuck in third.
It’s the reason you come and the reason you stay, its modified time! It would be a Gallardo show as both Fito and Jake Gallardo started on the front row. The J17 of Jake Gallardo started on the pole with Fito to his outside. Jake would lead the first two laps but Fito wasn’t about to be denied by the youngster and on the third lap Fito would take it. Phillip Houston would also work his way into third after a few laps but the Gallardo’s way ahead and not looking back. Fito would run out front and slowly pull from Jake but every time there was a lapped car or a small bobble Jake was right there again to make things fun. A caution would bunch them back together and give Houston another shot at the Gallardo clan. Jake Gallardo was pushing that high side once again but this time it was a little too much and around he goes all-alone. Only 4 to go and that will bring out the yellow. Fito Gallardo now left all alone up front to deal with Phillip Houston. The 07 of Donovan “fireball Flores all the way into third! The 07 would drop way low on the restart to steal second away but its short-lived as the 71 is just too strong on the outside. White those two played cat and mouse it was the G17 of Fito Gallardo pulling away and making it look easy. As the checkered flew Fito Gallardo would pick up exactly where he left off and get the win!! Phillip Houston would give it a good run but headed back to Odessa tonight with a second. Fireball Donovan Flores held onto a solid third.
Tonight was an awesome season opener and if you missed it then you will not want to miss out next weekend as the 305 winged Sprint cars invade both Western Tech Speedway Park and Southern New Mexico Speedway!!
Gates open at 5:30. Racing starts at 7:45. Join us as we make some dust in the desert.