Antioch Speedway: Shawn DeForest takes IMCA Modified Main Event; Mark Garner wins one for his dad; Sorensen victorious in Hobby Stock battle
(071815) Antioch Speedway Action – Shawn DeForest of Livermore slides through the high-banked turns of the Antioch Speedway clay oval in route to winning the IMCA modified feature Saturday night. (Antioch, CA) photo by Mike Adaskaveg
Antioch, CA – Watch the weather forecast if you want to know who is going to win at Antioch Speedway. When humidity rolls in, Livermore’s Shawn DeForest is the driver to beat in the International Motor Contest Association Modified stock car division.
“We excel when the track holds a little moisture,” DeForest said after driving the car of Jim Reid from Knightsen to victory. “Don’t bet against us on a night like this.”
DeForest was untouchable in leading the feature event, Saturday night, July 18.. The battle for second between Petaluma’s Michael Paul, Jr. and Kyle Wilson of Salinas had the fans on their feet.
Wilson was challenging Paul, running second for ten laps, for the entire distance to the checkered flag. It was on the last turn of the last lap that Wilson snatched second from Paul, who was held up by the lapped car of Ed Daviess.
“I just got sandwiched between Kyle (Wilson) and that lapped car,” Paul, Jr. said. “I had to slow a bit.”
“We both stayed on the gas deep into the third and fourth turn,” explained Wilson of he and Paul, Jr.’s battle. “He just lifted his foot for a second and that was all I needed – I took full advantage of it.”
Paul, Jr. charged back to finish alongside Wilson, with Wilson taking second by a half car length.
Bobby Motts, Jr. of San Pablo was fourth, and Scott Busby of Martinez fifth.
Garner Wins for His Dad
Mark Garner of Antioch celebrated a win for his dad in the Northern All Stars Limited Late Model Division. Jerry Garner, battling cancer, was able to be in the stands to see his son bring home a hard fought victory.
“It is an important year for us – I’ve dedicated the season to my dad, who is the reason I am racing,” Garner said. “To win with him in the stands is something I will always remember.”
Early leader Jim Freethy of Danville exited with s shredded tire, with Garner taking the lead. Veteran drivers Larry Damitz of Vallejo and Mike Gustafson of Concord then began chasing Garner.
“He (Garner) was in the right groove,” said second place Damitz, who got alongside Garner a couple of times. “I tried to pass him but there wasn’t much I could do to get traction.”
Ricky Thatcher from Mariposa chased Gustafson across the line, with Mike Hynes of Suisun City following in fifth.
Sorensen Takes Hobby Stock Thriller
El Sobrante’s Chris Sorensen scored his second win of the season in the Hobby Stock Division, but the win didn’t come easy. Concord’s veteran figure eight racer, Jimmy Robbins jumped into a friends hobby stock to “shake it down” and wound up shaking up Sorensen.
“I tried to get him on the low side, the high side and on the backstretch,” Robbins said. “Man, we had some fun out there.”
Sorensen echoed the excitement.
“It was a thrilling race,” Sorensen smiled. “I couldn’t believe he could jump into a hobby stock that hadn’t been driven in a long time and make it perform like that.
Kimo Oreta of Vacaville, who finished third, had a bird’s eye view of the excitement in front of him.
“I was ready – and I was worried that it could get ugly as those two battled it out, but everything went just fine,” Oreta said. “I stayed low on the track to get traction, but there wasn’t enough track to make a move.”
Michael Cooper of Bay Point finished fourth, with last week’s winner, Chase Templeton from Brentwood challenging.
Wingless Sprint Heartbreaker
Concord’s Keith Shipherd led the Northern All Stars wingless sprint car feature from the drop of the green until eight laps to go, when Chase Wood, Jr. of Milpitas stalled on the track.
Shipherd, hoping for a win on his birthday, wound up crashing hard at the start of the backstretch as he avoided Wood, Jr.
“I had too much speed,” Lamented Shipherd, whose car was wrecked in the front and rear. “I was hit him or hit the wall, so I chose the wall.”
Jim Perry III from Concord passed Rick Panfilli of Antioch to take the win. Perry III overcame an early spinout to make it his third win of the season.
“It is strange how things turn out in this division,” Perry said. “After I got bumped and spun, it didn’t look like a win for me. I’m happy I could turn it around and win.”
Marcus Smith of Manteca finished third, followed by Alan Miranda and James East of San Jose.
This Week At Antioch Speedway
IMCA SportMods and DIRTcar late Model Stock cars highlight the five division program at Antioch Speedway on Saturday night July 25. The Northern All Stars Wingless Sprint Car, Hobby Stock and Dwarf car division will also race in a complete program of qualification heats and feature events.
Antioch Speedway is located within the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 W. 10th St. in Antioch, Calif. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $10 for children 6-12. Children under six years old are admitted free. A family four pack of tickets is $40. Secured parking is offered by the Fairgrounds for $5. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.ovalmotorsports.com.
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