By Don Martin, II

There’s an interesting streak going on in two divisions At Antioch Speedway that continued Saturday night. There have yet to be any repeat winners in either the All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars or A Modified divisions. In the Winged 360 Sprint Car 25 lap feature, it was Brayden McMahan getting the win ahead of point leader Billy Aton. He is now the seventh winner in seven races. Not to be outdone, Brian Cass became the ninth different winner in nine races with his 20 lap A Modified feature victory in front of point leader Carl Berendsen II.

Second ranked Marcus Smith outran his teammate, Dan Gonderman to win his second 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint feature in the Richard Basden owned entry. K.C. Keller made a nice drive from the back and passed Trevor Clymens late to win his second 20 lap B Modified Main Event. Danny Jones held off the challenge of four time winner Guy Ahlwardt to win his second 20 lap Hobby Stock feature. Larry Damitz added to his Limited Late Model point lead with his third 20 lap Main Event win.

The track’s Winged 360 Sprint Car division continues to see different visitors come out every week to keep the car count up. Many younger drivers getting their first Sprint Car laps are making it a point to come race on John M. Soares’s fast three-eighth mile clay oval. This time around, it was 21 year old Brayden McMahan making his 18th start in car #18. With point leader Billy Aton in hot pursuit, McMahan scored an impressive win in 25 lap Main Event. He is now the seventh different winner in seven races. Petaluma visitor Geoff Ensign ran closely behind the lead two cars to the checkered flag. Burt Foland Jr. used his fourth place finish to move into third in the standings as heat winner Dalton Hill rounded out the Top 5. Title contender Art McCarthy took a checkered flag in sixth after earlier winning his heat race. The Main Event had a red flag midway through when young Kaleb Montgomery flipped his car six times. He wasn’t injured in the crash.

The A Modifieds have an amazing streak in progress this season. In nine races, there have been nine different winners. In the latest 20 lap feature, past Hanford and Watsonville champion Brian Cass scored the victory ahead of point leader Carl Berendsen II. Cass also won his heat race. Berendsen is still in search of his first feature win, but he won his heat race earlier in the evening. Josh Combs rebounded from a rough race a week ago with a third place finish as Sean O’Gara and Norm Boeck rounded out the Top 5.

With Jim Perry Jr. struggling in recent weeks, second year racer Marcus Smith has been closing the gap in the Wingless Spec Sprint championship battle. This week, Smith stepped it up even more by driving the Richard Basden owned #20 car to victory ahead of teammate Dan Gonderman. Gonderman drives the car that Smith intended to run before getting the ride in Basden’s car. Last week’s winner Roy Fisher held off Perry to finish third as heat winner Brandon Burd rounded out the Top 5. Fisher was the other heat winner.

In the B Modified division, the championship battle continues to tighten between point leader Al Johnson and Trevor Clymens. Johnson won his heat race earlier in the evening, but Clymens was going for his fourth feature win of the season. Unfortunately, he lost a late race duel with eventual winner K.C. Keller. Watsonville competitor Igor Grandzuk led much of the way before surrendering the lead to Clymens as Keller worked his way from the back. Once Keller got into second, he stalked Clymens on the inside line. The duo ran side by side for several laps before Keller made his winning pass. Clymens settled for second ahead of Shane DeVolder, Grandzuk and Johnson. Lonnie Leonard was the other heat race winner.

Larry Damitz won for the second time in a row and third of the season in the 20 lap Limited Late Model feature. Starting back in the last row, he worked his way to the front and held off fellow Limited Late Model veteran Mike Gustafson for the win. Gustafson also won his heat race. Rookie Kimo Oreta had another solid run in third as Lori Brown and Jim Freethy completed the Top 5. Paul Hanley was the other heat winner.

After losing the win last week on the final lap of the Hobby Stock Main Event, Danny Jones was looking to avoid a repeat in this week’s 20 lapper. Jones held the lead, and it wasn’t long before point leader Guy Ahlwardt managed to make it up to second from the back of pack. This time, however, Jones held on and scored his second feature victory of the season. Ahlwardt settled for second after winning his heat race earlier in the evening. Rob Waldrop finished third ahead of Chris Sorensen and heat winner Michael Cooper.

Racing continues next Saturday night with Wingless Spec Sprints, DIRTcar Late Models, Limited Late Models, Dwarf Cars, B Modifieds and Hobby Stocks all in action. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results, July 16:

Winged 360 Sprint Cars

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Dalton Hill, Art McCarthy, Main Event (20 Laps)-Brayden McMahan, Billy Aton, Geoff Ensign, Burt Foland Jr., Hill, McCarthy, Steven Harris, Monty Ferreira, Tim Burcher, Kaleb Montgomery.

A Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Brian Cass, Carl Berendsen II. Main Event (20 Laps)-Cass, C. Berendsen, Josh Combs, Sean O’Gara, Norm Boeck, Bobby Montalvo, Eric Berendsen, John Bellando Jr., Terry Kaiser (DNS).

B Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Al Johnson, Lonnie Leonard. Main Event (20 Laps)-K.C. Keller, Trevor Clymens, Shane DeVolder, Igor Grandzuk, Johnson, Anthony Giuliani, Leonard, Brown, Paul Mulder (DNS).

Wingless Spec Sprints

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Brandon Burd, Roy Fisher. Main Event (20 Laps)-Marcus Smith, Dan Gonderman, Fisher, Jim Perry Jr., Burd, Dusty Green, Rick Panfili, Kevin Box, Adam Teves (DNS).

Limited Late Models

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Paul Hanley, Mike Gustafson. Main Event (20 Laps)-Larry Damitz, Gustafson, Kimo Oreta, Lori Brown, Jim Freethy, Mark Garner, Billy Garner, Hanley, John Bellando Jr. (DNS)

Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Michael Cooper, Guy Ahlwardt. Main Event (20 Laps)-Danny Jones, Ahlwardt, Rob Waldop, Chris Sorensen, Cooper, Jordan Swank, Lindsey Buirch, Anthony Vigna, Cameron Swank, Jason Jennings, Frank Furtado, Mitch Loccicere

By Allen Payton

Three businesses, all located in the Antioch Business Center at 505 West Second Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown held their ribbon cuttings and a joint reception on Wednesday, May 25. First, it was 3 Bling Queenz, followed by East Bay Bankruptcy Law & Financial Planning and then Rapunzel Wigs.

The three owners were joined by family, friends, Antioch City and Chamber of Commerce leaders and members, who helped welcome them to the downtown.

“I’m excited about what is happening in downtown Antioch,” said Toni Holland, owner of 3 Bling Queenz. “I’m just grateful and thankful for meeting all the people in the past few months. They really have my back, especially Ms. Rapunzel, Angie, for taking me under her wing.”

Lizeht Zepeda, the City’s Economic Development Manager welcomed Holland and her business to downtown.

“I want to say this is the heart of Antioch,” she said. “It’s so important to support businesses in the downtown.”

At the ribbon cutting for East Bay BK Law & Financial Planning next door, owner Corinne Bielejeski, Esq. said “I’m been a chamber member for five years, now. I’m adding financial planning to my practice. Bankruptcy numbers stuff.”

“I think it’s great to have this type of business here in downtown” said Zepeda.

“It’s bringing a new level of professionalism to downtown,” added Jack Monroe of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

Finally, at the ribbon cutting for Rapunzel Wigs, Monroe referred to owner Angie Hicks-Bashir as the “downtown diva.”

“We welcome Angie to Antioch, to the downtown district,” he added.

“Thank you everyone,” Hicks-Bashir said. “I so enjoy meeting everyone. Moving down here has been such a great decision.”

HIGHWAY LANE CLOSURES:

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of State Route 4 between Somersville Road/ Auto Center Drive and Railroad Ave. on Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

There will be highway lane closures in the eastbound direction of State Route 4 between Bailey Road and the State Route 4 / State Route 160 connector ramp on Monday through Friday from 4:30 am to 12:00 pm.

There will be highway lane closures in the eastbound direction of State Route 4 between L Street / Contra Loma Boulevard and the State Route 4 / State Route 160 connector ramp on Monday through Friday from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am.

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of State Route 4 between L Street / Contra Loma Boulevard and the State Route 4 / State Route 160 connector ramp on Monday through Friday from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am.

LOCAL STREET CLOSURES:

There will be lane closures in the eastbound and westbound directions of Larkspur Drive between Hillcrest Avenue and Wildflower Drive on Saturday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

There will be lane closures in the northbound and southbound directions of Hillcrest Avenue between Larkspur Drive and Sunset Drive on Saturday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

There will be lane closures in the northbound and southbound directions of A Street/Lone Tree Way between Rossi Avenue and E. Tregallas Road on Saturday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

There will be lane closures in the northbound and southbound directions of Somersville Road / Auto Center Drive between Delta Fair Boulevard and Century Boulevard on Saturday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

For questions or comments please send e-mail to info@4eastcounty.org.

Debate, Listen to Hearings, and Voting from Home District Offices

Dave Miller, candidate for the 11th Assembly District, proposed this week to make California’s legislature convert to being electronic. If adopted, it would be the nation’s first.

“Using advanced technologies that are based right here, in the Bay Area the State of California can have the nation’s first electronic legislature.” Miller said in his statement.

“If you and I can Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Marco Polo, and Periscope, why can’t we stay in our home district offices, and work from there, using social media platforms and other assorted technologies that are available to everyday America?” he asked.

An Assembly member or Senator could stay in his or her home district office, and conduct both debate and vote, using biometric technology, with his or her thumbprint. They would only need to visit Sacramento for special occasions, such as constitutionally required events, like the governor’s annual State of the State message, and swearing in ceremonies of new sessions of the legislature, Miller argues.

“The savings to California taxpayers would be incalculable at this time,” he said. “A state legislator working from his or her district office would allow him or her to conduct more business in the district, and to participate in committee debate from the home district office. It would also save the state millions in state capitol staffing, as all the staffing requirements would be directed towards the home district, not the capitol.”

This system would also allow for more public input from average citizens who desire to be heard

on various issues before hearings and committees, but cannot afford to commute to Sacramento to be heard on important legislation, he added.

It would also be harder for a legislator to ignore the pleas of their constituency, who are right outside their district office doors, vs. a group of people who have been “fenced off from the world” on the State Capitol grounds. Currently, state legislators can conveniently bypass protestors on the state capitol grounds, by leaving any number of exits.

Miller also argues that working from the Home District Office, also provides the legislator some insulation from the influence of lobbyists from around the state, on issues of all varieties, allowing him or her to be a more “free thinking” legislator.

“But, most importantly, the best benefit from an Electronic Legislature is that a Legislator can come home to his family every night, except those nights where the actual floor sessions go into the wee hours of the morning,” he stated. ‘It saves the taxpayers of the California countless millions on per diem costs for legislators staying in Sacramento, when they can be in the home district office, working from home.”

“I would even say, for those nights when the floor session is going late, a portable laptop-like system could even be set up at home, so you can vote from home,” Miller added.

Miller, a Republican is challenging incumbent Jim Frazier, a Democrat. The election is November 8th. To learn more about his campaign visit www.electdavemiller.com.

By Don Martin, II

Coming off a fitting tribute to sportsman legend Jerry Hetrick, that saw roughly 80 cars, last week, Antioch Speedway returns this week with a six division show led by the All Star Series Winged 360 Sprint Cars. Joining them in the program will be A Modifieds, Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks. It should be another great night of racing on John M. Soares’s fast 3/8 mile clay oval.

The last time the Winged 360 Sprint Cars were in action, they had their sixth different Main Event winner in six races and also had a point lead change. When he couldn’t get his car to fire just before the start of the Main Event, incoming point leader Art McCarthy was forced to scratch. Billy Aton didn’t have a very good night either, but he did take the green flag and was able to use that to take over the point lead. This is the first time this year that the past Wingless Spec Sprint champion has led the Winged 360 Sprint Car point race.

A funny thing is happening with the Winged 360 Sprint Car class at Antioch Speedway this year. There is a new crop of young drivers coming up from the ranks of the 600 Micro Sprint and Outlaw Kart classes. A few of these drivers have made their way to Antioch Speedway to earn some really good results. Last time out, young Caleb Montgomery came from the back of the pack and made a last lap pass to pick up his first career feature victory. There’s no telling who might show up this week as word is getting out that Antioch Speedway is a fast race track and the perfect place for the young up and coming Sprint Car racers to make some good laps.

Two time Wingless Spec Sprint champion Dan Gonderman was licking his wounds after a flip in the previous race forced him to miss the most recent race. Last week, Dan was back behind the wheel of a Wingless Spec Sprinter and finishing second in the Main Event. Hopefully, his winged car will be ready for action as he battles Rick Brophy for third in the point standings. Other drivers we anticipate this week could include Matt Barber, Top 5 point competitor Burt Foland Jr, reigning champion Shawn Arriaga, 2014 champion Chris Magoon and Ricky Brophy.

A funny thing is happening in the A Modified division as well. We are still looking for our first repeat Main Event winner of the year. It nearly happened on the grand stage of the $2,500 to win Jerry Hetrick Memorial race last week. Superstar Bobby Hogge IV was turning in another stellar performance when he was taken out by a car he was attempting to lap. This handed the rich victory to many time Modified champion Randy McDaniel.

While all of this is going on, there’s a battle going on for the championship between 2014 champion Carl Berendsen II and five time reigning champion Scott Busby. Busby has been struggling just a bit, but he won a battle with NASCAR racer Kenny Schrader a few weeks ago for his first Main Event win of the season. Still searching for his first win is Berendsen, and he’s even switched over to a new car in an effort to get it. Last week found him in the B Mein, but he made the transfer and still finished higher than Busby in the Main Event with his Top 10 effort. Word out of Antioch is that Carl’s younger brother Eric Berendsen will be making his A Modified debut this week in Carl’s old car.

The competition level is pretty evenly matched, and there are still a few other drivers itching to get in there and get their first win. One such driver is John McDougall. John has been a somewhat regular computer at the speedway and is now contending for a Top 5 point position. His effort last season saw him lead the Merced point race for the first half of the year before a crash ended his season. John will be running with a heavy heart this week as his father just passed away. Our condolences go out to the McDougall family during this difficult time.

The A Modified division has some good drivers in it including Shawn O’Gara, Raymond Lindeman, rookie Bobby Montalvo, Anthony Slaney and Trent Wentworth. Wentworth has been so quick this year that it could be just a matter of time before he brings his #141 car home to victory.

Just when it looked like Jim Perry Jr. was hitting stride, he’s been hit with back to back DNF’s in the Wingless Spec Sprint division, and that should tighten the points just a little bit as he races for his second division championship. Last week, it was 70 something year old Roy Fisher scoring a popular victory. Roy started racing in motorcycles years ago and joined the Spec Sprints back in the early 2000’s. He shows no signs of slowing down. He’s been running up near the front this year, and everybody knew his first 2016 win was just around the corner.

Having won the “Rookie Of The Year” award last year, Marcus Smith entered 2016 with the big goal of a track championship in mind. To further that goal, he’s teamed up with a championship winning car owner named Richard Basden. The two have already won a Main Event together, and Marcus is coming off of three consecutive third place finishes as he’s moved into second in the points and is closing in on Perry. Rick Panfili didn’t have the kind of night he desired, but he still remains in the hunt for second and is not out of the championship battle by any means.

Coming off of an impressive second place point ranking last year in Dwarf Cars that saw him win multiple Main Events, 16 year old Adam Teves got the ride in the Lloyd Beard Special, owned by his grandfather Dana Craig and Cameron Beard. Adam has been making his laps this year and getting better each week. The team got some encouragement last week as Adam earned his first Top 5 finish in fifth. He remains one of the Top 10 drivers in the standings.

Other drivers we will be watching for this week include Top 5 point contender Shannon Newton, recent winner Jeremy Newberry, Alan Miiranda, Bobby East, Chowchilla Speedway champion Brandon Burd, Jimmy Perry III and Steven Grier, who finished fourth in the Main Event last week.

Trevor Clymens has let it be known that he is trying to reel in Al Johnson for the point lead in the B Modified division. Johnson had a rare non Top 5 finish last week, and Clymens has been trying to make up for the fact that he missed one race. Last week, the farthest to the front he could get was third, but it was 2004 Modified champion Aaron Croowell and Late Model veteran Joel Hannagan occupying the first two positions of that Main Event. The third generation racer was just happy to be third in that situation. The points are just a little bit closer now.

Shane DeVolder has been getting valuable seat time at several different tracks this year, and he recently had a second place finish at Marysville. He has earned that position a couple times out at Antioch Speedway, and the next goal for driver of the #44 B Modified is first. DeVolder is battling Stock Car veteran Danny Jones for third in the standings. Jones hit another high mark last week in this class with his first heat race victory. The way Danny is going, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him win the B Modified feature at some point.

Other drivers to keep an eye out for in the B Modified division include Randy Brown, Megan Ponciano, Chuck Golden and K.C. Keller.

The Limited Late Model division figures to be a battle. If anybody thought 87 year old Larry Damitz was fading away, he reminded them who he is with his second feature win of the season last week. Despite not winning as much this year, Damitz has led the standings since the start. Coming off of a two race winning streak, Mark Garner suffered suspension damage and finished out of the running. That allowed Damitz to add a few points back to his lead.

“Rookie Of The Year” leader, Kimo Oreta is still in the championship battle. He reached another personal milestone last week with his first heat race victory ahead of Damitz. With over 20 Main Event wins and three track championships in the Hobby Stock division, nobody had more success in that division than he has, and the Limited Late Models have been an exciting new challenge for him. Joining the battle with these three this week should be the steady John Evans, Jim Freethy, Lori Brown and John Keith.

Danny Jones was riding along in front, figuring that he might have his second Hobby Stock feature win of the year last week. Running second in the points, he knows he needs to get some wins to have a shot at the flying rookie, Guy Ahlwardt. Alwardt was riding a two race winning streak and looking for his fourth win of the year when it happened. Guy made a move on the inside of Jones down the backstretch on the last lap and emerged with the lead and his third straight victory. Making that even more impressive is the fact that the previous winner has to start back in 10th every week, and yet he still made the charge.

These two drivers won’t be the only ones battling for victory. Another driver who’s been in the mix in the Main Event the last two weeks is 2010 champion Chris Sorensen. Sorensen would finish third last week and will probably be feature a winner if he continues to come back. Chris is not chasing points. Natalie Perry is chasing points, and she took some heavy damage to her race car in the heat race earlier in the evening. Thanks to a lot of help from people, she was at least able to get out there and run the Main Event. Natalie has done well in maintaining her Top 5 point status and might just contend for a feature win in the closing weeks of the season.

After some of the struggles that 2015 “Rookie Of The Year” Jordan Swank has had this season, he finally emerged with his first Top 5 finish in fifth last week. Jordan chased speedway veteran Rob Waldrop across the line. Rob had a heat race win earlier that night. The division is so competitive that you don’t know who might win on any given week, and other racers to watch for include Cameron Swank, Top 5 ranked Michael Cooper, Lindsay Biurch and Frank Furtado.

So to recap, the Winged 360 Sprint Cars are back in action at Antioch Speedway this week along with A Modifieds, Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models and Hobby Stocks. It should be another exciting program. For further information go to www.antiochspeedway.com.