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Olschowka repeats, Ollar Sweeps in Country 103 Cup action;
Mel Hall Memorial Race this Saturday
By
Bob
Burbach
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Marysville CA - May 27,
2007 ---
Jamie Ollar thought he almost swept the KKCY Country 103 Cup Mini Stock program Saturday night at Marysville Raceway Park. But, when the cars went through post-race technical inspection it turned out he did sweep the program. Yuba City’s Lisa Shelby took the checkered flag first in the race itself but her car did not pass the post race inspection. The on-track race produced a monstrous battle for the top spot as Shelby, Ollar and Marysville’s James Foster all wanted the win. The lead changed hands on numerous occasions before Shelby was able to get a clear advantage in the late stages.
The battle royal continued for 2nd behind her for what would eventually be the victory with Ollar winning out. The race was slowed on numerous occasions for minor skirmishes and halted for a hard crash that involved Yuba City’s Blane Baker. Baker and others tangled out of turn 4 at mid race and Baker’s car was hammered repeatedly as he slid across the track. Rescue workers arrived and Baker shook off the hard hits. He motored into the pits under his own power. Shortly thereafter he reappeared at the back of the pack and finished the event in 8th.
At the flag, Foster held onto 3rd position with Mike Merritt and 2006 champion Joel Giusti in tow. Merritt and Giusti completed stirring drives to the front after early race incidents sent them to the rear. Shaun Merritt was 5th as he, too, passed a lot of cars in the late laps. The penalty to Shelby moved everyone up a notch.
Ollar also won his heat race and the special $100 to win, fan friendly, Dash for Cash that opened the program for the Mini Stocks. Promoter Hawes flashed a c-note at the racers as they headed for the green flag adding an extra incentive; much to the delight of the noisy crowd.
The KKCY Country 103 Cup Stock Car feature was a hard fought event that produced Yuba City’s Jeff Olschowka as a repeat winner. Six drivers were in the hunt in the early laps including point leader Heather Bartlett of Yuba City. A 5 way tussle led by front row starter “Big Jake” Cavasos started the event before a fine Fan Appreciation Night crowd. Cavasos slipped to slipped to 3rd and promptly spun to a stop in turn 4. The ensuing pile up affected Bartlett and she rushed to the pits for repairs.
The new green produced a fender to fender, slam bang race for the lead that included 2006 champ Phillip Shelby, Jerry Bartlett, Ray Benkowski and Olschowka all of Yuba City. Heather Bartlett returned for the restart. The entertaining high speed struggle turned into a race for 2nd when Olschowka poked his nose into the lead. The lap six pass occurred after a great dice with 2006 champion Shelby. Jerry Bartlett got past Shelby with a handful of laps remaining for 2nd. “Bad” Billy Knoop returned to the stock car wars for the first time in three races and the opening night winner wound up 4th behind Shelby after winning the heat race. Heather Bartlett recovered and finished 5th. Jerry Bartlett took the $100 Stock Car Dash for Cash earlier in the evening.
The SORA Sprint 100s were the hosted traveling group this week and 2006 Champion Tony Gaoiran bested Colusa’s Tim McLaughlin in the main event. Sacramento’s Nick McColloch took a nasty flip in turn 3 as a yellow flag was being waved for an incident elsewhere on the track. McColloch returned to the race and wound up a well deserved 4th.
The annual Mel Hall Memorial Race will be staged at MRP this Saturday night. Northern California sprint car racer turned promoter, Hall, is an icon in area racing circles. In pre-race ceremonies promoters Paul and Kathy Hawes will provide and dedicate a plaque to the memory of Hall citing his many contributions to racing in this area. Marlyn Hall will be at MRP to receive the plaque that will be permanently enshrined on the raceway grounds. The winged Pacific Sprint Cars, the Wingless Sprint Cars, the MRP Stock Cars and Mini Stocks will all be included in the action packed program. The BCRA Midget Lites will be an extra-added attraction.
Put www.marysvilleracewaypark on your “favorites” button on you computer. Watch this site for press releases and updates.
Pit gates always open at 3PM. Pit meeting and pill draw are at 5PM on Saturday. Spectator Gates Open at 5PM with racing getting underway at 7PM. Contact the promoters at 1.530.743.1327 or email as indicated on the home page.
Note: Please make this observer aware of any names that are misspelled. The text is based on information we have at the time of its release.
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