Results for 5-21-2016

The USAC Midgets returned to Ventura Raceway Saturday night May 21, and quite a show it was!  Twenty-eight of these high speed machines raced around Ventura’s 1/5 mile clay oval in front of a crowd who showed their appreciation for their return.  Racing in the other divisions present was also fast and furious.  Also competing that night were VRA Pro Dwarf Cars, Focus Midgets, VRA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and Go Karts.

In USAC Midgets, defending USAC Western States Midget Champion, Ronnie Gardner, who had won the first two USAC events in 2016 took the lead in their 30 lap feature from his pole position starting spot and was never headed.  Gardner had also set fast time in qualifications at 12.455 seconds.  The 30 lap feature saw hard fought battles back in the pack as they chased Gardner.  When all was said and done Gardner led Cory Elliot, Frankie Guerini III, Michael Facinto and Troy Rutherford to the finish.  The good car count necessitated four heat races which were won by Ronnie Gardner,  Cory Elliot, Richard Vanderweerd and Darren Hagen.  They also ran a 12 lap semi main which went to Tyler Dolacki.  The midget drivers all worked hard to learn the Ventura oval in preparation of the much anticipated Turkey Night Grand Prix set to take place November.

VRA Dwarf Cars returned to action Saturday with past champ Johnny Conley once again taking the 20 lap main, to take his fourth win of 2016. Conley’s win was over Tom  Stephens Jr., Tommy Velasquez III, Trenton Morley and point leader Jeff Fillingame.  Their three heat races went to Mike Smith, Johnny Conley and D J Lebow.  The 12 lap semi main went to Jeff Fillingame. There were 23 dwarf cars signed in for the night’s action.

IMCA Modified action saw past VRA Sprint Car Series Champion, Luis Espinoza take his first IMCA Modified win over a field of nine modifieds.   Following Espinoza to the line were Austin Rodarte, Andrew Greiman, Mike Spencer  and Jack Parker. There were two heat races run, with the wins going to Austin Rodarte and Mike Spencer.   Austin Rodarte now leads Jack Parker by 12 points.

VRA Focus Midgets saw a driver take his first ever win.  Mike Leach drove a great race to get his first career win in the 15 lap main event.  Following him to the finish line were past champion, Ashley Hazleton, Daniel Anderson, Wally Pankratz and Phil Schack.  Daniel Anderson took their one heat race.

VRA Hobby Stocks were in action Saturday night as well.  Once again, Trevor Fitzgibbon took the win over Ernie Malone, Mike Stanford, Gary Garvin and Devin Montgomery.  Fitzgibbon also took their one heat race.     .

The final group racing Saturday night was our VRA Go Karts.  Henry Ito dominated the feature to take the win over Kenny Byers Jr., David Pankratz, Ernie Raper and Greg Lewis.  2015 series champ Justin Raper took their one heat race win.

Ventura Raceway continues its 2016 season on June 4, with the first of the 2016 Battle At The Beach Races sponsored by ARP.  Next Saturday May 28, will be a dark night. On the card June 4, will be VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds and California Lightning Sprints.

Ventura Raceway Race Results for 05/21/2016

USAC Midget
Race #1     05/21/2016

Main Event Results: 1. Ronnie Gardner, Norco, Ca, 30 Laps; 2. Cory Elliot, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 3. Frankie Guerrini III, San Rafael, CA, 30 Laps; 4. Michael Faccinto, Hanford, 30 Laps; 5. Troy Rutherford, Ojai, 30 Laps; 6. Jerome Rodella, El Monte, 30 Laps; 7. Tyler Dolacki, Madera, 30 Laps; 8. Richard Vander Weerd, Visalia, 30 Laps; 9. Robert Dalby, Anaheim, 30 Laps; 10. Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, 30 Laps; 11. Darren Hagan, Indiana, 30 Laps; 12. Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 13. Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, 30 Laps; 14. Courtney Crone, Corona, 30 Laps; 15. Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ, 30 Laps; 16. Marie Cofer, Pleasant Valley  NY, 30 Laps; 17. Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, 30 Laps; 18. Chris Dyson, 21 Laps; 19. Cody Swanson, Norco, 20 Laps; 20. Steve Davis, Norco, 14 Laps; 21. Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, 12 Laps; 22. Dylan Ito, Newberry Park, 12 Laps; 23. Cody Williams, Yorba Linda, 1 Lap
Lap Leaders: Ronnie Gardner (1-30)

Heat Race Winners:  Heat 1: Ronnie Gardner; Heat 2: Cory Elliot; Heat 3: Richard Vander Weerd; Heat 4: Darren Hagan

Ventura Raceway does not calculate points for this class

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VRA Pro Dwarf Cars
Race #6     05/21/2016

Main Event Results: 1. Johnny Conley, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 2. Tom Stephens Jr, Ventura, 20 Laps; 3. Tommy Velasquez III, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 4. Trenton Morley, Woodland Hills, 20 Laps; 5. Jeff Fillingame, Santa Paula, 20 Laps; 6. Jeff Hinz, Saugus, 20 Laps; 7. Brandon Wiley, Santa Maria, 20 Laps; 8. Gage Cheek, Valencia, 20 Laps; 9. D. J. Lebow, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 10. Tim Conley, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 11. Jessica Clark, Ventura, 20 Laps; 12. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 13. Cody Black, Moorpark, 20 Laps; 14. Tommy Velasquez, Camarillo, 19 Laps; 15. Mike Smith, Lompoc, 5 Laps; 16. Zach Curnel, Palmdale, 5 Laps; 17. Jason Horton, Oxnard, 5 Laps; 18. Mike Keebler, Lompoc, 3 Laps
Lap Leaders: Jeff Hinz (1-6), Johnny Conley (7-20)

Heat Race Winners:  Heat 1: Mike Smith; Heat 2: Johnny Conley; Heat 3: D. J. Lebow

Top 10 in points:  1. Jeff Fillingame, 1285; 2. Johnny Conley, 1200; 3. Tim Conley, 1160; 4. Tom Stephens Jr, 1110; 5. Tommy Velasquez III, 1085; 6. Nick Velasquez, 990; 6. Trenton Morley, 990; 8. Gage Cheek, 945; 9. David Conley, 930; 10. Brandon Wiley, 885

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IMCA Modifieds
Race #6     05/21/2016

Main Event Results: 1. Luis Espinoza, Castaic, 15 Laps; 2. Austin Rodarte, Ventura, 15 Laps; 3. Andrew Greiman, Newbury Park, 15 Laps; 4. Mike Kirby, Torrance, 15 Laps; 5. Jack Parker, Simi Valley, 15 Laps; 6. David Spears, 15 Laps; 7. John Romero, Port Hueneme, 14 Laps; 8. Chuck Costabile, Simi Valley, 13 Laps; 9. Scott Olsen, Did not show
Lap Leaders: John Romero (1-2), Luis Espinoza (3-15)

Heat Race Winners:   Heat 1: Mike Kirby;  Heat 2: Austin Rodarte

Top 10 in points:  1. Austin Rodarte, 190; 2. Jack Parker, 178; 3. Luis Espinoza, 170; 4. Andrew Greiman, 168; 5. Scott Olsen, 129; 6. Aaron Rodarte, 111; 7. Dennis Eckert, 98; 8. Chuck Costabile, 95; 9. Mike Kirby, 76; 10. Mark Davis, 73

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VRA Hobby Stocks
Race #6     05/21/2016

Main Event Results: 1. Trevor Fitzgibbon, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 2. Ernie Malone, Ojai, 15 Laps; 3. Mike Stanford, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 4. Gary Garvin, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 5. Devin Montgomery, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 6. Christina Garvin, Oxnard, 14 Laps; 7. Sam Garvin, Oxnard, 10 Laps
Lap Leaders: Gary Garvin (1-4), Trevor Fitzgibbon (5-15)

Heat Race Winners:  Heat 1: Trevor Fitzgibbon

Top 10 in points:  1. Trevor Fitzgibbon, 1215; 2. Mike Stanford, 1110; 3. Sam Garvin, 890; 4. Ernie Malone, 815; 4. Gary Garvin, 815; 6. David Heurung, 800; 7. Christina Garvin, 790; 8. Jesse James Verdun, 755; 9. Devin Montgomery, 610; 9. Tom Stephens Sr, 610

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Focus Midgets
Race #5     05/21/2016

Main Event Results: 1. Mike Leach, Foothill Ranch, 15 Laps; 2. Ashley Hazelton, Northridge, 15 Laps; 3. Daniel Anderson, Los Angeles, 15 Laps; 4. Wally Pankratz, Orange, 15 Laps; 5. Phil Schack, San Luis Obispo, 15 Laps; 6. Joel Rayborne, West Covina, Did not start
Lap Leaders: Mike Leach (1-15)

Heat Race Winners:  Heat 1: Daniel Anderson

Top 10 in points:  1. Daniel Anderson, 975; 2. Mike Leach, 820; 3. Ashley Hazelton, 705; 4. Joel Rayborne, 585; 5. Randi Pankratz, 460; 6. Tyler Williams, 215; 7. Wally Pankratz, 205; 8. Matt McCarthy, 200; 9. Mike Leach Sr., 190; 10. Phil Schack, 185

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Go-Karts
Race #3     05/21/2016

Main Event Results: 1. Henry Ito, 20 Laps; 2. Kenny Byers Jr, Ventura, 20 Laps; 3. David Pankratz, Canyon Country, 20 Laps; 4. Ernie Raper, Paso Robles, 19 Laps; 5. Greg Lewis, Santa Barbara, 19 Laps; 6. Ken Ito, Ventura, 13 Laps; 7. Justin Raper, Paso Robles, 3 Laps
Lap Leaders: Henry Ito (1-20)

Heat Race Winners:  Heat 1: Justin Raper

Top 10 in points:  1. Henry Ito, 250; 2. Kenny Byers Jr, 235; 3. David Pankratz, 210; 4. Ernie Raper, 190; 5. Justin Raper, 185; 5. Greg Lewis, 185; 7. Ken Ito, 165

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Report Created by Ventura Raceway Scoring Program
Report Created: 05/22/2016 09:57