Golobic Hauls in the Cash at 1st Annual Johnny Soares Classic

“Fremont Flier” Shane Golobic Claims 1^st Annual Johnny Soares Classic 101-Lap Midget Race at Petaluma Speedway

By Robert Haugh

After overcoming adversity earlier in the evening, “Fremont Flier” Shane Golobic methodically piloted Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger to the win in the inaugural 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic at the beautifully manicured 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway on Saturday, October 6.

Having started 11^th on the grid after suffering a broken rocker arm in Hot Laps, Golobic overtook USAC-Western States points leader and track record holder Shannon McQueen, inching by her #7 McQueen Racing Spike/Esslinger on Lap 94 for the win in the race honoring one of Northern California’s most fabled and respected racing legends.

Petaluma Speedway General Manager Rick Faeth hopes that the event presented by 101 Casino (http://www.the101casino.com) of Petaluma and Western Performance Parts (559-485-7442) and sanctioned by both USAC-Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association Midget series transitions to becoming the premier Midget race West of the Chili Bowl. In addition to being sanctioned by both California Midget organizations, the race awarded points towards the series championships in both organizations.

Golobic began his race to the front from the 11^th position of the 20-car field after easily claiming Qualifier #1. Golobic cautiously worked his way to the Top 5 by the halfway intermission, moving into third on Lap 60 and second on Lap 77 before passing McQueen after catching her in heavy lapped traffic on the heavy, yet smooth track surface.

A caution unfurled on Lap 96, giving fans an exciting five-lap Dash to conclude the 101-lap race, with McQueen pressuring Golobic, with dicey racing action transpiring throughout the field in the waning laps – and through most of the race, with several two, and sometimes three-wide battles.

Golobic was all smiles in victory lane, picking up back-to-back wins after winning the previous night in a Winged Sprint Car. It was his second Midget win of the year for car owner Doug Bock.

Fighting a tight car towards the end of the race, McQueen admitted Shane [Golobic] had the “better car in the final laps,” and was pleased with the intense, clean battle her and Shane had for the fans. It was McQueen’s third consecutive second-place finish at Petaluma.

McQueen, who led 67 laps, picked up the $500 bonus for leading at halfway, as well as the $100 award for setting fast time with a 15.110 lap time. Though the track was extremely fast, McQueen’s track record of 14.360 went nearly untested on Saturday – with McQueen setting the fastest lap of evening with a 14.414 lap on lap 87 of the Feature.

Fresno’s Tanner Swanson, who started fifth on the grid in Dave and Wendy Thurston’s #11 Spike/Esslinger nearly fell from the Top 10 early, also fighting a tight condition, rebounding to score third in the BCRA Hall of Famer’s potent mount that had won the three previous BCRA Dirt races. It was Swanson’s first Dirt Midget start in over a year, having mostly been competing on pavement and in Sprint Car and Silver Crown races.

Current USAC-WS Dirt points leader and former BCRA champion David Prickett of Fresno charged from ninth to claim fourth aboard the Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Van Dyne, followed by three-time 2012 BCRA Midget winner Gregg Bragg of Visalia aboard Dave LaMott’s #0 Stealth/Wirth Honda in the car’s first appearance in over six months.

Popular local Sprint Car veteran Sparky Howard of Santa Rosa had locals on their feet cheering wildly, masterfully chauffeuring Rick Faeth’s #3 Beast/Chevy V4 to third from his sixth starting position by Lap 13 where he remained until Lap 48, running fourth at the mid-point and remaining in the Top 5 until Lap 83 when he was involved in an incident. After restarting, the unique V4 entry was billowing smoke – as oil on the breathers were burning off of headers – the cunning veteran played it safe and pulled it in. 

San Diego’s Chris Ennis claimed sixth in the Neverlift Motorsports #151 Spike/Chevy followed by hard charger Rick Holbrook of Vacaville aboard wife Peggy’s #6 Spike/RRE Stage II Chevy EcoTec and Rough and Ready’s Gary Conterno aboard Floyd Alvis’ #83 Stealth/Wesmar. Holbrook received the $100 hard charger award courtesy of M&M Racing Photos (www.mmracingphotos.com).

Past USAC and BCRA Midget winner “Nitro” Nick Chivello of Manteca claimed ninth in the Chivello Motorsports #27 Spike/Esslinger, despite having gone laps down early after a spin that caused damage to his right side nerf and right rear tire.

Former USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte of Redding rounded out the Top 10 aboard Mason Cook’s #10 Beast/Fontana, a team debuting a brand new Beast chassis after having a chassis severely damaged just two weeks ago. Schutte raced from 16^th to seventh by Lap 13 and moved into the Top 5 on Lap 56.

Early race leader and pole sitter Danny Parker of Oakdale claimed 11^th in Bob Roza’s #21 Spike/Esslinger followed by San Rafael’s Frankie Guerrini III in the F&F Racing #63 Stealth/Gaerte Ford, who finished the final several laps with no tear offs remaining. Guerrini started eighth and moved up to fourth by Lap 13 before spinning on Lap 27 and again on Lap 66. Parker was running strong for initial 50 laps, leading Laps three through 26 and running second at the refueling intermission at Lap 50, but his car went away and he eventually fell several laps down.

After being involved in a spin on Lap 13, multiple-time BCRA and USAC victor Scott Pierovich of Alamo fell a lap down aboard his #35 Spike/Wirth Mopar, eventually settling for a disappointing 13^th place finish. Pierovich has claimed three consecutive Midget features at Petaluma from 2009 through 2011 with Fast time in 2010 and 2011.

Angwin’s Britton Bock claimed 14^th in grandfather Doug’s #62 Spike/Esslinger, while Howard was credited with 15^th after dropping out when Faeth’s gorgeous home-crafted V4 mount billowed in smoke.

Seven-time BCRA champion and current BCRA points leader “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis unofficially clinched his eighth BCRA Midget championship, despite exiting about two-thirds into the race with engine woes aboard his #18 Stealth/Esslinger.

Additional entrants included Arizona’s Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #115 Spike/Van Dyne, Carson City, Nevada’s “Mr. Popular” J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Brayton Chevy, Pete Davis of Pleasanton in his #00 Hothead Engine Heaters Spike/Esslinger and veteran Midgeteer Bill Lindsey of San Carlos in Stu Donaldson’s #8 Stealth/Pontiac.

Golobic handily claimed Qualifier 1 over Alvis and Bock while Bragg easily cruised to the win in Qualifier 2 over Kassik and Schutte.

Parker unofficially claimed the BCRA Dirt Midget championship while owner Roza unofficially clinched the BCRA Dirt owner championship.

Unofficially, there were six total cautions during the 101-lap race, with 15 of 20 cars running at the finish, a remarkable feat, with zero red flags or flips on the evening. The Top 5 at the refueling intermission was McQueen, Parker, Swanson, Howard and Golobic. Chivello led the first two laps followed by Parker leading 24 laps before yielding to McQueen, then Golobic.

The race format allowed caution laps to be counted up to Lap 80, with a refueling intermission at lap 50.

Visit http://www.petaluma-speedway.com/ for more information on Petaluma Speedway.

SUMMARY:
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Shannon McQueen, 7, McQueen-15.110; 2. Chris Ennis, 151, Neverlift-15.343; 3. Nick Chivello, 27, Chivello-15.447; 4. Danny Parker, 21, Roza-15.509; 5. Tanner Swanson, 11, Thurston-15.543; 6. Sparky Howard, 3, Faeth-15.757; 7. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich-15.803; 8. Frankie Guerrini III, 63, Guerrini-15.822; David Prickett, 15, Neverlift-16.005; 10. Bill Lindsey, 8, Donaldson-16.010; 11. Shane Golobic, 26, Bock-16.045; 12. Rick Holbrook, 6, Holbrook-16.074; 13. Floyd Alvis, 18, Alvis-16.092; 14. Greg Bragg, 0, Lamott-16.112; 15. Britton Bock, 62, Bock-16.186; 16. Connor Kassik, 115, Neverlift-16.231; 17. Gary Conterno, 83, Alvis-16.241; 18. Alex Schutte, 10, Cook-16.309; 19. Pete Davis, 00, Davis-16.353; 20. J.R. Williams, 74, Williams-16.687.

QUALIFIER #1: (10 laps) 1. Golobic, 2. Alvis, 3. Bock, 4. Davis, 5. Conterno.

QUALIFIER #2: (10 laps) 1. Bragg, 2. Kassik, 3. Schutte, 4. Holbrook, 5. Williams.

FEATURE: (101 laps, start position in parentheses): 1. Shane Golobic (11), 2. Shannon McQueen (4), 3. Tanner Swanson (5), 4. David Prickett (9), 5. Greg Bragg (12), 6. Chris Ennis (3), 7. Rick Holbrook (18), 8. Gary Conterno (19), 9. Nick Chivello (2), 10. Alex Schutte (16), 11. Danny Parker (1), 12. Frankie Guerrini III (8), 13. Scott Pierovich (7), 14. Britton Bock (15), 15. Sparky Howard (6), 16. Connor Kassik (14), 17. Floyd Alvis (13), 18. Pete Davis (17), 19. Bill Lindsey (10), 20. J.R. Williams (20)

FEATURE LAP LEADERS: 1-2 Chivello, 3-26 Parker, 27-93 McQueen, 94-101 Golobic.

Bottom of Form

“Lightning” McQueen Sets Fast Time, Finishes Second and Clinches USAC-WS Championship at 101-Lap Johnny Soares Classic

Bakersfield, CA – October 6, 2012

By Robert Haugh

Piloting the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen was just seven laps away from winning one of the richest Midget races on the West, but after Shane Golobic inched by with seven laps remaining, McQueen held her line to finish second in the first annual 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic at the 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway on Saturday, October 6.

Fighting a tight car towards the end of the race, McQueen admitted Shane [Golobic] had the “better car in the final laps,” and was pleased with the intense, clean battle her and Shane had for the fans. It was McQueen’s third consecutive second-place finish at Petaluma.

“We hoped to bring home a win for our fans and sponsors, but we are in a championship battle and could not risk it going for the win,” stated McQueen on the front stretch following the exciting 101-lap race.

McQueen, who led 67 laps, picked up a $500 bonus for leading at halfway, as well as the $100 award for setting fast time with a 15.110 lap time. Though the track was extremely fast, McQueen’s track record of 14.360 went nearly untested on Saturday – with McQueen setting the fastest lap of evening with a 14.414 lap on lap 87 of the Feature.

Golobic overtook McQueen for the lead on Lap 94.  A caution unfurled with five laps remaining, creating a five-lap Dash to the checkers. Pressuring Golobic, Shannon didn’t want to sacrifice her equipment for the win, settling for a disappointing, yet satisfying second-place finish.

“We wanted this win, but we are excited to have clinched the championship. I’d like to thank all our wonderful sponsors as well as my Dad Duane who gives me such strong engines and my Crew Chief Ty Hindman for giving me a great car every week,” states McQueen.

With her second-place finish, McQueen clinched the USAC-Western States Midget championship with two races remaining, with a commanding 151 points lead over second-place David Prickett. McQueen also gained several points on USAC-WS Dirt points leader David Prickett, with McQueen now only 29 tallies back in that battle.

McQueen started the evening strong, setting fast time with a lightning fast 15.110 mark.

McQueen has amassed four Heat race wins, ten Top 5 runs, two fast time awards, and 14 Top 10s on the year. McQueen Racing also boasts a feature win with Michelle Decker in April at Bakersfield Speedway.

Next up for McQueen is the 72^nd Annual Turkey Nite Midget Grand Prix at the ½-mile Perris Auto Speedway.

McQueen Racing would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Rod End Supply, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, MPD, Ruth Engineering, Jet-Hot Performance Coatings, Butler Built Seating Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, American Fabrication, MPD Racing, West Evans Motorsports and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.

SUMMARY:

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. McQueen, 15.110

FEATURE: (101 laps) 2. McQueen

Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing. 

McQueen Racing Announces Third Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Midget Driver

By Robert Haugh

Competing against the World’s best racers over five days, with over 250 racers competing, including a plethora of the most talented racers from an array of racing backgrounds and disciplines, McQueen Racing is hoping to contend for the coveted Golden Driller Trophy at the 27^th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

McQueen Racing is pleased to announce Oklahoma young gun Trey Marcham as the driver of their third McQueen Racing Spike/Esslinger by Duane McQueen for the 27^th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire at the Tulsa Exposition Raceway on January 8-12, 2013 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

21-year-old Marcham is an accomplished driver, having become a six-time points Champion at I-44 Speedway in Newcastle, Oklahoma and claiming both the A-Class and Non-wing A-Mains at the Inaugural Donnie Rae Crawford Memorial/Race4Life in Tulsa, plus capturing third in the A Class at the 2012 Tulsa Shootout. A senior Engineering student at Oklahoma University, Marcham brings experience in Micro Sprints, Ford Focus Midgets, 360 Non-Wing Sprint Cars and asphalt Late Models.

“I am very excited to work with Trey at the 2013 Chili Bowl.  Everyone I have talked to said that he is a good person and an even better racecar driver so we are excited,” says Shannon, who adds that the entire team is looking forward to working with Trey and we hope to do a test day with him in the late fall to get him acclimated to the Midget and our program.” 

Joining Marcham in the potent McQueen Racing three-car stable is team owner Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield, CA in the #7 Spike/Esslinger by Duane McQueen and Guthrie, Oklahoma’s Michelle Decker in the #7d Spike/Esslinger.

McQueen, who became the first woman to win a BCRA Midget championship last year when she claimed the BCRA Dirt Midget crown currently leads the USAC-Western States Midget standings by a commanding 139-points, with only three races remaining.

Thus far in 2012, McQueen has amassed four Heat race wins, nine Top 5 runs, one fast time award, and 13 Top 10s. In addition, Michelle Decker claimed a feature win at Bakersfield Speedway in April in the McQueen Racing #7d Spike/Esslinger by Duane McQueen. McQueen also holds the track record at Calistoga Speedway, Petaluma Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway and Orange Show Speedway. 

McQueen Racing would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Rod End Supply, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, MPD, Ruth Engineering, Jet-Hot Performance Coatings, Butler Built Seating Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, American Fabrication, MPD Racing, West Evans Motorsports and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.

Additional 2013 Chili Bowl Sponsors include:  American Waste Control, MurfDogg Motorworks, RC 4 Less, Waurika Truck and Tire, Starrship Trucking, Carter Custom Finishes, Quantum Consulting, LLC, Hoosier Tires and Mud-X.

Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.

1st Annual Johnny Soares Classic 101-Lap Dirt Midget Race Coming to Petaluma Speedway

1^st Annual Johnny Soares Classic 101-Lap Dirt Midget Race Coming to Petaluma Speedway

By Robert Haugh

Honoring one of Northern California’s most fabled and respected racing legends, Petaluma Speedway General Manager Rick Faeth hopes the inaugural 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic transitions into being the premier Midget race West of the Chili Bowl.

Presented by 101 Casino (http://www.the101casino.com) of Petaluma and Western Performance Parts (559-485-7442) and sanctioned by both USAC-Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association Midget series, the $2,500-to-win race will be split into two sessions on the 3/8-mile Dirt oval, with a refueling intermission between sessions.

With an $11,000 purse and guaranteed $2,500-to-win and $275 to start the 101-lap A-main event, it’s no wonder entries are expected from the West Coast’s top Midget drivers coming from throughout the West for the October 6 race, with entries expected from California, Arizona, Washington, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon to compete on one the best race tracks in the West, with entries from multiple Midget champions, skilled veterans and young guns hoping to make an impact. 

Leading the heap of expected entries are current points leaders, past champions and race winners, including USAC-Western States Midgets points leader and Petaluma Speedway Midget track record holder Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, seven-time BCRA champion and current BCRA points leader “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis aboard his #18 Stealth/Esslinger, current USAC-WS Dirt points leader and former BCRA champion David Prickett of Fresno aboard the Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Van Dyne, 2007 WMRA Midget champion Evan Margeson of Tacoma, WA in the Margeson Racing #50 Beast/Esslinger, multiple-time BCRA and USAC victor Scott Pierovich of Alamo in his #35 Spike/Wirth Mopar, three-time 2012 (and August 11 BCRA Midget winner at Petaluma) BCRA Midget winner Gregg Bragg of Visalia aboard Dave LaMott’s #0 Stealth/Wirth Honda, former BCRA Midget champion and multiple-time feature winner Matt Streeter of Galt aboard his #14jr Spike/Chevy, Tanner Swanson of Kingburg in Dave Thurston’s #11 Spike/Esslinger (which has won the last three BCRA Dirt races with Bragg driving), former USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte of Redding aboard Mason Cook’s #10 Beast/Fontana and open wheel ace “Fremont Flier” Shane Golobic of Fremont aboard Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger.

Pierovich won three consecutive Midget features at Petaluma from 2009 through 2011 with Fast time in 2010 and 2011. Pierovich did not compete in the August 11 Midget event earlier this season. McQueen set the blistering track record in 2009 with a 14.360 mark and placed second Pierovich in both the 2010 and 2011 Midget events at Petaluma.

Locals will have plenty to cheer for, with American Canyon native Travis Berryhill returning to his home track, manning Britton Bock’s #67 Spike/Esslinger, while Bock pilots grandfather Doug’s #62 Spike/Esslinger rounding out a potent three-car Bock Racing stable. Popular local Sprint Car veteran Sparky Howard of Santa Rosa will be chauffeuring Rick Faeth’s #3 Beast/Chevy V4.

Additional entries include August 11 Petaluma Fast Time winner Danny Parker of Oakdale in Bob Roza’s #21 Spike/Esslinger, Arizona’s Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #115 Spike/Van Dyne, Carson City, Nevada’s “Mr. Popular” J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Brayton Chevy, August 11 second-place finisher Pete Davis of Pleasanton in his #00 Hothead Engine Heaters Spike/Esslinger, second-place BCRA points runner and BCRA President Rick Holbrook of Vacaville in wife Peggy’s #6 Spike/RRE Stage II Chevy EcoTec, 2012 USAC-WS Santa Maria August 4 winner Frankie Guerrini III of San Rafael in the F&F Racing #63 Stealth/Gaerte Ford, veteran Midgeteer Bill Lindsey of San Carlos in Stu Donaldson’s #8 Stealth/Pontiac, past USAC and BCRA Midget winner “Nitro” Nick Chivello of Manteca in the Chivello Motorsports #27 Spike/Esslinger, most recent USAC-WS feature winner (September 22 Bakersfield) Troy Rutherford of Ojai in Calvin Martens’ #86 TCR/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Sean Dodenhoff aboard the East Hills Racing #9 Spike/Fontana and San Diego’s Chris Ennis in the Neverlift Motorsports #151 Spike/Chevy.

In addition to being sanctioned by both California Midget organizations, the race awards points towards the series championships in both organizations. There will also be a $500 bonus for the leader at 50 laps, plus $100 to fast time and $100 to the best passer Hard charger sponsored by M&M Racing Photos (www.mmracingphotos.com). Competitors towing from Oregon and Washington will also receive $100 tow money.

The race format allows each entry two qualifying laps, with the Top 10 locked into the A-main with the remainder of the 22-car starting grid formed by the Top six finishers of two 15-lap Qualifiers. The A-main inversion will be weighted with 4, 6, 8 and 10 inversions possible. A refueling stop will be held at half way.

USAC and BCRA tire rules will be enforced.

Racers should complete the entry form and submit to Petaluma Speedway General Manager Rick Faeth at PO Box 6, Petaluma, CA 94953 as soon as possible. For more information on the 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway or to download the entry form, visit http://www.petaluma-speedway.com/

Admission to the race is $16 for Adults, $12 for Children and $10 for Seniors. In addition to Midgets, the event will feature BCRA Vintage Midgets and Dwarf Cars.

Suggested local accommodations are at the Best Western (707-763-0994) and Quality Inn (888-564-6980).

Petaluma Speedway sponsors include PitStopUSA.com, BPT Performance Carburetors, M. Maselli & Sons, Inc., Napa Auto Parts and Team Ghilotti Inc. Engineering.