After over a month of delays due to weather and Fairgrounds activities, Ventura Raceway finally was able to begin its 2018 racing season. The delay in opening was worth the wait as six divisions put on a night of outstanding racing action for the good crowd in attendance. On a beautiful spring night, the drivers began their quest for points that will lead to series championships when the season ends in October.

California Lightning Sprints were there with 25 cars in the pits all trying to make the 30 lap main event. Bobby Michnowicz began the season where he left off in 2017 with another strong win over the field of main event cars. Ventura’s Bruce Douglas finished second with Jeffrey Dyer in third, Aiden Lange in fourth and Eric Greco in fifth. They ran three heat races with wins going to Pat Kelly in heat one, Alex Gregorias in heat two and Bobby Michnowicz in heat three. The large car count necessitated a semi main, which was won by Aiden Lange.

Eleven VRA Senior Sprints were on hand Saturday night to open their season. Two heat races were run with wins going to Ed Schwarz in heat one and Danny Parrish in heat two. Their 20 lap main event win went to Rick Hendrix. 2017 series champion Wally Pankratz finished second with Chris Meredith third, Ed Schwarz fourth and Tyler Hatzikian fifth.

In VRA Dwarf Cars, 2017 series champ Johnny Conley began the season where he left of with another main event win. He took the lead on lap one and was never challenged in their 20 lap race. He was followed across the line by Korey Cowen, Nick Velasquez, Jason Horton, who came from 17th to fourth and Tommy Velasquez III, who came from 16th to fifth! Three heat races were run with wins going to Brad Cumel in heat one, Kevin Calvo in heat two and Gage Cheek in heat three.

A strong field of eleven IMCA Modifieds began their season with two heat races which were won by 2017 champ Luis Espinoza in heat one and Dave Phipps in heat two. The 20 lap main event was a fast and furious event, which went to Austin Rodarte, followed by his brother Aaron Rodarte, Andrew Greiman and Jack Parker.

A five car field of VRA Hobby Stocks took to the track to open their season. They ran one heat race with the win going to Heath Morton. Their 15 lap main event went to Mike Stanford followed by Chris Fritz, Heath Morton, Christina Garvin and Sam Garvin.

The final group running Saturday night was the VRA Focus Midgets. Seven cars were in attendance for the night. They ran one heat race with the win going to Jessica Clark. They then ran their 20 lap main event which went to Mike Leach followed across the line by Phil Schock, Randi Pankratz, Jessica Clark and Koeni Texeira.

If Saturday night is any indication, the 2018 season will provide fans and teams some great racing action. We will be holding an open practice next Saturday, April 21st. Our next racing event will be on April 28, when VRA Sprints will open their season with VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Hobby Stocks and VRA Focus Midgets sharing the show. For any information on upcoming events, please check out our website at www.venturaraceway.com, our Facebook page or call (805) 648-7223. Hope to see you there!

Ventura Raceway Race Results for 04/14/2018

Cal. Lightning Sprints
Race #1 04/14/2018

Main Event Results: 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, 30 Laps; 2. Bruce Douglass, Ventura, 30 Laps; 3. Jeffrey Dyer, Victorville, 30 Laps; 4. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, 30 Laps; 5. Eric Greco, Palmdale, 30 Laps; 6. Brent Sexton, Lake Side, Ca, 30 Laps; 7. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, 30 Laps; 8. Grant Sexton, Lakeside, 30 Laps; 9. Jarrett Kramer, Santa Clarita, 30 Laps; 10. Alex Grigoreas, Upland, 30 Laps; 11. Wyatt Downing, Lakewood, 30 Laps; 12. Robb Pelmear, Ventura, 30 Laps; 13. Dale Gamer, Anaheim, 28 Laps; 14. Dan Foster, Sacramento, 17 Laps; 15. Wink Schweitzer, Bakersfield, 17 Laps; 16. Pat Kelly, Chino, 14 Laps; 17. Michael Tobiason, San Diego, 14 Laps; 18. Gage Cheek, Valencia, 11 Laps; 19. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, 2 Laps; 20. John Nelson, Norco, 0 Laps

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Pat Kelly; Heat 2: Alex Grigoreas; Heat 3: Bobby Michnowicz

Top 10 in points:

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VRA Pro Dwarf Cars
Race #1 04/14/2018

Main Event Results: 1. Johnny Conley, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 2. Korey Cowan, Lancaster, 20 Laps; 3. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 4. Jason Horton, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 5. Tommy Velasquez III, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 6. Tom Morley, Woodland Hills, 20 Laps; 7. Trent Morley, Woodland Hills, 20 Laps; 8. Kevin Calvo, Agua Dulce, 20 Laps; 9. Chase Lippert, Thousand Oaks, 20 Laps; 10. Kody Cowan, Lancaster, 20 Laps; 11. Gage Cheek, Valencia, 20 Laps; 12. Tommy Velasquez, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 13. Zach Curnel, Palmdale, 19 Laps; 14. Mike Long, Thousand Oaks, 19 Laps; 15. Jeff Hinz, Saugus, 19 Laps; 16. Tony Pellegrino, Simi Valley, 18 Laps; 17. April Banuelos, Sylmar, 8 Laps; 18. Brad Curnel, Palmdale, 5 Laps
Lap Leaders: Johnny Conley (1-20)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Brad Curnel; Heat 2: Kevin Calvo; Heat 3: David Conley

Top 10 in points: 1. Johnny Conley, 255; 2. Korey Cowan, 235; 3. Nick Velasquez, 220; 4. Jason Horton, 190; 5. Kevin Calvo, 180; 5. Tommy Velasquez III, 180; 7. Tom Morley, 175; 8. Trent Morley, 170; 9. Gage Cheek, 165; 9. Chase Lippert, 165

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VRA Senior Sprints
Race #1 04/14/2018

Main Event Results: 1. Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, 20 Laps; 2. Wally Pankratz, Orange, 20 Laps; 3. Chris Meredith, Thousand Oaks, 20 Laps; 4. Ed Schwarz, Santa Fe Springs, 20 Laps; 5. Tyler Hatzikian, El Segundo, 20 Laps; 6. Danny Parrish, Anchorage, Alaska, 20 Laps; 7. Eddie Williams, El Segundo, 19 Laps; 8. Greg Andrews, Fillmore, Ca, 19 Laps; 9. Tom Stephens Sr, Ventura, 18 Laps; 10. Russell Martin, Yorba Linda, 6 Laps; 11. Joe Bishop, Camarillo, 4 Laps
Lap Leaders: Rick Hendrix (1-20)

Heat Race Winners: SpinTech Mufflers Heat 1: Ed Schwarz; Saldana Racing Products Heat 2: Danny Parrish

Top 10 in points: 1. Rick Hendrix, 250; 2. Wally Pankratz, 235; 3. Chris Meredith, 220; 4. Ed Schwarz, 215; 5. Tyler Hatzikian, 195; 5. Danny Parrish, 195; 7. Eddie Williams, 170; 8. Greg Andrews, 165; 9. Tom Stephens Sr, 155; 10. Joe Bishop, 145; 10. Russell Martin, 145

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IMCA Modifieds
Race #1 04/14/2018

Main Event Results: 1. Austin Rodarte, Ventura, 20 Laps; 2. Aaron Rodarte, Ventura, 20 Laps; 3. Andrew Greiman, Newbury Park, 20 Laps; 4. Jack Parker, Simi Valley, 20 Laps; 5. Trevor Fitzgibbon, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 6. Brad Prows, Buellton, 20 Laps; 7. Brandon Hoekstra, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 8. Dave Phipps, Simi Valley, 19 Laps; 9. Luis Espinoza, Castaic, 13 Laps; 10. Jeff Long, Thousand Oaks, 7 Laps; 11. Donald Houghton, Rosamond, 4 Laps

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Luis Espinoza; Heat 2: Jeff Long

Top 10 in points: 1. Austin Rodarte, 40; 2. Aaron Rodarte, 39; 3. Andrew Greiman, 38; 4. Jack Parker, 37; 5. Trevor Fitzgibbon, 36; 6. Brad Prows, 35; 7. Brandon Hoekstra, 34; 8. Dave Phipps, 33; 9. Luis Espinoza, 32; 10. Jeff Long, 31

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VRA Hobby Stocks
Race #1 04/14/2018

Main Event Results: 1. Mike Stanford, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 2. Chris Fritz, 15 Laps; 3. Heath Morton, Oxnard, 15 Laps; 4. Christina Garvin, Oxnard, 14 Laps; 5. Sam Garvin, Oxnard, 3 Laps

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Heath Morton

Top 10 in points: 1. Mike Stanford, 245; 2. Chris Fritz, 235; 3. Heath Morton, 225; 4. Christina Garvin, 195; 4. Sam Garvin, 195

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Focus Midgets
Race #1 04/14/2018

Main Event Results: 1. Mike Leach, Foothill Ranch, 20 Laps; 2. Phil Schack, San Luis Obispo, 20 Laps; 3. Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, 20 Laps; 4. Jessica Clark, Ventura, 20 Laps; 5. Keoni Texeira, Honalulu, HI, 20 Laps; 6. Gage Rucker, 20 Laps; 7. Tim Foy, Ojai, 19 Laps

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Jessica Clark

Top 10 in points: 1. Mike Leach, 245; 2. Phil Schack, 235; 3. Jessica Clark, 215; 4. Keoni Texeira, 195; 4. Randi Pankratz, 195; 6. Gage Rucker, 175; 7. Tim Foy, 160

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Report Created by Ventura Raceway Scoring Program
Report Created: 04/17/2018 09:14