DeCarlo also opens season with win, Ryland wins twice; win a family pass for four!

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…March 12, 2022 – After placing second in five races last season, Misty Welborn finally took first place winning the 25-lap Hobby Stock Main Event at the Antioch Speedway, Saturday night. It was the first race of the 62nd Opening Day at the speedway. Welborn ranked in the Top 5 in the standings last season, and many people said she was due to get a win at any time.

Ken Johns moved up from the second row into the lead at the start. Johns led the race until his car slowed after Lap 8. Les Friend found himself in the lead on the restart ahead of reigning champion Larry McKinzie Jr. Welborn quickly struck to second on a Lap 12 restart. Welborn made a high pass in Turn 2 on Lap 13 to take the lead from Friend. For the second half of the race, Friend kept it very close. However, Welborn prevailed for her first win. Friend settled for second ahead of Bobby Gallaher, Jared Baugh and Jewell Crandall.

A very excited Welborn was jumping up and down with joy and raising her hands in excitement during the victory presentation following the race.

Later asked if it was like being “always a bridesmaid and finally a bride?” she responded, “yes” with a big smile and laugh while accepting congratulatory hugs from friends and supporters near the pits.

Welbourne said she only started racing in 2019 and gave credit to her husband for her skills and ability as a driver.

DeCarlo Also Opens Season with Win

Nick DeCarlo scored the win in the 25-lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the first race of the 62nd championship season at the track, and it was DeCarlo’s first win in two years.

Kellen Chadwick jumped into the lead at the start with Nick DeCarlo not far behind him in second. Bobby Hogge IV made an outside pass on the backstretch to take third from reigning champion Jim Pettit II on Lap 7. The leaders caught heavy traffic on Lap 15, and DeCarlo made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 16 to grab the lead. Hogge made a high pass in Turn 2 on Lap 17 to take the lead from DeCarlo, but DeCarlo came back strong with an outside pass in Turn 4 to regain command. During the final circuits, Hogge kept it close, but DeCarlo prevailed for the well-earned victory. Five-time champion Troy Foulger ended up third ahead of Chadwick and Pettit.

Ryland Wins Twice

Reigning champion Fred Ryland won the time limit shortened 21-lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. He picked up a win at Watsonville a night earlier to make it a double win weekend in the class. Ryland wasn’t done as he came back out and turned in a dominating performance in winning the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature.

Kelly Campanile had a front row start and bolted into the lead when the green flag waved ahead of Jimmy Ford. 2019 champion Tommy Fraser moved into second on Lap 3. On a third restart attempt on Lap 9, contact on the backstretch between Jacob Mallet Jr and Campanile resulted in a tangle between the two. Ryland took over on the restart. Despite some serious pressure from Andrew Pearce during the second half of the race, Ryland prevailed in the end. Pearce settled for second ahead of Chester Kniss, Tom Clymens, Jr. and Tyler Browne.

In the IMCA Stock Car race, Ryland bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Jason Jennings. Jennings had a side-by-side battle going behind him between Kellen Chadwick and Anthony Giuliani. Ryland held a half-lap lead by the seventh circuit. Troy Foulger moved into fourth behind Chadwick and made it a side-by-side battle for third. Some close quarters racing on Lap 14 saw Foulger and Chadwick shuffle Jennings back. Even a late yellow flag wouldn’t stop Ryland as he maintained his lead from there to the impressive win. Foulger finished second ahead of Chadwick, Anthony Giuliani and Travis Dutra.

To see Saturday night’s races visit: Watch Opening Day 2022! (antiochspeedway.tv)

Racing will resume this Saturday night with the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, visit www.antiochspeedway.com or www.facebook.com/OfficialAntiochSpeedway. See the entire 2022 Season Schedule.

Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results for March 12, 2022

Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Aves, Les Friend, Larry McKinzie Jr, Misty Welborn. Main Event (25 laps)-Misty Welborn, Les Friend, Bobby Gallaher, Jared Baugh, Jewell Crandall, Angela Brown, Jess Paladino, Larry McKinzie Jr, James Graessle, Colton Haney.

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Bobby Hogge IV. Main Event (25 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Bobby Hogge IV, Troy Foulger, Kellen Chadwick, Jim Pettit II, Trevor Clymens, Chris Lewis, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Kenneth Robles, Terry DeCarlo Sr.

IMCA Sport Modifieds 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Fred Ryland, Andrew Pearce. Main Event (21 laps)-Fred Ryland, Andrew Pearce, Chester Kniss, Tommy Clymens Jr, Tyler Browne, Mark Garner, Jacob Mallet Jr, Shayna Nieman, Jimmy Ford, Jake Bentancourt.

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jason Robles, Fred Ryland. Main Event (20 laps)-Fred Ryland, Troy Foulger, Kellen Chadwick, Anthony Giuliani, Travis Dutra, Jason Jennings, Rob Gallaher, Andrew Pearce, Joe Gallaher, Scott Foster.

WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE RACES!!

Tina’s back at it!! She’s giving away 2 Family Passes!!

Entries MUST be received by 6:00 PM Thursday 3/17/2021 to be eligible.

Each Family Pass includes tickets for 2 Adults and 2 Children (A $60.00 Value $70 If you were to purchase separately.)

In Order to win 1 of the family passes, You MUST LIKE and FOLLOW the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page AND you MUST SHARE THIS post.

Once you have shared THIS post on the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions page, Down in the comments section, Make the comment “Shared” when you do that, We will confirm that you have LIKED the page and SHARED the post.

Remember you MUST put SHARED On the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook Page ONLY as we cannot see shares from other pages.

The names will then be put in a prize wheel and 2 winners will be picked this Thursday LIVE around 7:00 PM.

You could be the winner of one of the FREE passes!

This week Antioch Speedway is hosting…

IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Dwarf Cars

Good Luck and We Hope to See You at Antioch Speedway!

*Tickets can NOT be redeemed for cash and MUST be used THIS COMING Saturday Night.

** Tickets may NOT be exchanged for pit passes.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Oakland City Council votes to certify Final EIR

By Oakland Athletics

On Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, the Oakland City Council voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for our waterfront ballpark project at Jack London Square. It follows las month’s unanimous vote by the Oakland Planning Commission recommending the council vote to certify the EIR.

This is a significant milestone for the project and comes after years of work with the City, local community members, and organizations to analyze and outline how our project will adhere to the highest of environmental standards. The project will clean up an industrial site with private dollars and return public access to the waterfront with more than 18 acres of public parks and open greenspace.

In addition, the council voted to approve a resolution requiring community benefits including local hire for jobs and to mitigate impacts to nearby neighborhoods, such as parking in Chinatown, and to West Oakland, following complaints by residents who spoke during the meeting from that neighborhood, as well as freight compatibility for the Port of Oakland.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued a statement praising the council action in which she said, “Tonight’s action is more than a milestone — it’s a giant leap forward in our shared mission to create a regional destination that gives back our waterfront to the public, connects a new vibrant neighborhood to our downtown, and provides tens of thousands of good union jobs for our residents — and it does it all while keeping our beloved A’s rooted in Oakland.

Now that the Final Environmental Impact Report has been certified, the floor is set for negotiating robust community benefits that our residents demand and deserve, as well as the final development agreement.

Tonight’s action is more than a milestone – it’s a giant leap forward in our shared mission to create a regional destination that gives back our waterfront to the public, connects a new vibrant neighborhood to our downtown, and provides tens of thousands good union jobs for our residents – and it does it all while keeping our beloved A’s rooted in Oakland.”

Our waterfront ballpark is a once-in-a-generation project, creating transformative environmental and community benefits for Oakland, and setting the stage for more World Championships for our fans.

We thank our fans, community members, and civic leaders who shared their support during the EIR process and in public meetings. While this is the furthest we have come in securing a new ballpark in Oakland for the Athletics, we have more work to do. We now look forward to finalizing the development agreement and community benefits agreement before a vote later this year.

The city council will still have to approve a development agreement with the team, which is expected to occur sometime this summer, plus the A’s will need to obtain approvals on agreements with the Port, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and State Lands Commission.

To learn more about our waterfront ballpark at Jack London Square and the progress we’ve made to date, visit WeAreRooted.com.

Go A’s!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

For more information visit www.AntiochSpeedway.com

* Subject to Change

February 19 & 26, and March 5 – Open Practice

March 12 – Opening Day!! – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

March 19 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Dwarf Cars

March 26 – Wingless Sprints, Limited Latemodels**, Mini Stocks, Dwarf Cars

April 2 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsmen

*Subject to Change

April 9 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Limited Latemodels**

April 16 – ** Easter Egg Hunt ** – WMR Midgets, Mini Stocks, Wingless Sprint Cars, Dwarf Cars

April 23 – Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifeds, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars

April 29/30 or 30/May 1st – Monster Trucks

May 7 – Mother’s Day – Mini Vans, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars

May 14 – ** Contra Costa County Fair **

Destruction Derby

May 21 – Wingless Sprint Cars, MCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars

May 28 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Limited Latemodels**, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsmen

* Subject to Change

June 4 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Dwarf Cars

June 11 – WMR Midgets, HUNT Magneto Series Wingless Sprint Cars, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks

June 18 – Lightning Sprints, Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, Dwarf Cars

June 25 – Hetrick Memorial – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

July 2 – Dark – No Races

July 9 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

July 15 & 16 – Dwarf Car Nationals – 15th Dwarf Cars, Hobby Stocks, 16th Dwarf Cars, IMCA Stock Cars

July 23 – Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Dwarf Cars

* Subject to Change

July 30 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars

August 6 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

August 13 – Lightning Sprint, Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, 600 Non-Winged Micros

August 20 – WMR Midgets, Wingless Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsmen

August 27 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

September 3 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars

September 10 & 11 – Monster Trucks

September 17 – **Championship Night #1** – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stocks Cars

* Subject to Change

September 24 – **Championship Night #2** – Wingless Sprint Cars, Hobby Stocks, Limited Latemodels**, with Guest Division WMR Midgets. (Championship Night is for Antioch Divisions ONLY!)

September 29-October 1st 0 West Coast Nationals Bill Bower Memorial – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars

October 8 – Donna Soares Memorial / Hall of Fame Night – Lightning Sprint Non-Winged Sprints, Wingless Sprint Cars, Limited Latemodels**, Dwarf Cars

October 15 – 200 lap Enduro $2000 to Win!

October 22 – Dwarf Car Mainia – Dwarf Cars, Hard Tops / Winged Vintage Valley Sportsman, Mini Stocks

October 28 & 29 – Hobby Nationals – Details TBA

November 25 – Wingless, 600 Non-Winged Micro Mini, Limited Latemodels**

November 26 – IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks

New Year – Pending…

* Subject to Change

**Super Stocks can NOT run with Limited Latemodels.

Call (925) 779-9220 today, about sponsorship opportunities.

By Jesus Cano

Publisher’s Note: This will be Jesus Cano’s final article for the Herald as he’s moved on to the Times. I congratulate him on his new role, as he completes his college education, this year and thank him for all the great work covering sports stories for us over the past five years since he began during his high school days. (See his first article for the Herald)

From roaming around the hallways with friends to winning a BVAL title with his teammates in 2009, Matt Mills recalls his time as a Deer Valley High School student as the most memorable in his life.

The 2010 grad always knew he wanted to come back to his alma mater and one day be involved in the program that gave him so much. Last week, he got the call that he had been manifesting for so long.

The 29-year-old will be leading Deer Valley’s football team as the newly appointed Wolverines’ head coach.

“It’s kind of one of those things I would say in the back of my mind where if I was able to coach a school like Deer Valley, the sky’s the limit,” Mills said. “It is truly truly a dream come true.”

Mills takes over for Robert Hubbard, who served as head coach for Deer Valley from 2015 to 2021. The Wolverines went 14-51 during that span. According to a Facebook post made by Hubbard, he was fired by the school on Nov. 20, 2021.

One of the initiatives Mills will be taking to help rebuild the program is to have more involvement from alumni and help players achieve a better academic performance in the classroom.

“I didn’t want to focus on the negatives, I wanted to focus on the positives of the program and build from there,” Mills said, “Some of the best things in the world are built from the ground up.”

After a successful career at Deer Valley, Mills enrolled at Diablo Valley College to play football for the Vikings but never suited up. After that season he took a year off from football to figure out what he really wanted to do in life.

That year, Mills realized how much he missed football and what opportunities the sport could offer for the rest of his life.

“I think initially coming out of high school you don’t realize that football is another avenue to help you garner a degree and to get you to where you want to be later in life,” Mills said.

Mills continued his football career at Los Medanos College, where he played under head coach Chris Shipe. After playing running back most of his career, Mills made the tough decision to convert to linebacker. The move eventually paid off, as Mills earned a scholarship to play football at Kentucky Wesleyan.

After his two-year stint in Kentucky, Mills came back home to California, but he never had the intention to coach football.

It wasn’t until he started a job with the Oakland Raiders in the Community Relations Department. After helping out with drills during one of the Raiders NFL Play 60 events, Mills knew it was time for him to start coaching.

“That’s where it kind of all clicked for me,” Mills said.

Mills went on to have defensive coordinator roles at Encinal, Concord and College Park before finally getting the call from Deer Valley to become its new head coach.

Now that he has the opportunity he’s always dreamed about, Mills wants to elevate this program to new heights.

“Our coaching staff is going to do everything to be successful not only in the classroom but in our lives,” Mills said. “I also want our former players to always feel like the door is always open at Deer Valley.”

Local Knights of Columbus Council to Sponsor Youth Basketball Shooting Competitions

All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.  Boys and girls 15-17 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the Three Point Shooting Championship.  Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant as of January 1, 2022.

The competitions will be held on January 14, 2022, at Giovannoni Parish Center, 21 East 15^th St., Antioch, CA.

Free Throw

Ages 8-11        registration at 5:30pm competition begins at 6:00pm

Ages 12-14      registration at 6:30pm competition begins when 8-11 yr. old competitors are done

Three Point

Ages 15-17      registration at 7:00pm competition begins when free throw competition is done

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions.  International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.   In 2021, four of our local champions were California State champions.

For more information contact Wayne Steffen 925.890.0119 or Mike Hayes 925.565.4482.

Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics

in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.

The event will support former Center for the San Francisco 49ers and Antioch native Jeremy Newberry’s non-profit organization, Newberry’s B.L.O.C.K. which stands for Benefiting Leagues Offering Children Kindness. It provides underprivileged children the opportunity to participate in sports by sponsoring scholarships and equipment to youth programs. For more information visit www.facebook.com/NewberrysBlock.

For more info and tickets visit www.CCCDeltaStars.com.