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8th Mel Hall Race is in the books
Bartlett, Holsey, Wiesz and Russum score
By
Bob
Burbach
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Marysville CA - June 4,
2007 --- The best race of the night featured a knock down, drag it out war as the KKCY Country 103 Cup Stock Cars roared to a tumultuous conclusion at the 8th annual Mel Hall Memorial Race. Saturday night Paul and Kathy Hawes put on a great show in front of one of the biggest and noisiest crowds in the 8 year history of the event. Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City captured his 3rd Hall title in the KKCY Country 103 Cup event, Yuba City’s Gary Holsey once again saw the lead as the only place to be, took a badly bent race car and manhandled it to the title for the 5th time in KKCY Country 103 Cup Mini Stock action.
Colby Wiesz, the “Colfax Comet” easily outdistanced Mike Wasina in the winged Pacific Sprint Car class. It was, like Holsey, Wiesz’s 5th title in the 8 years of the event. Point leader Pat Russum of Sacramento led wire to wire in the shortened wingless sprint car feature that kicked off the primary four-division program.
The evening was started with an emotional, caring elaboration on the life of Mel Hall by track infield announcer Sherm Toller. Hall’s contribution to local racing is well documented. The ceremony was concluded with the presentation of a Memorial Plaque to Hall’s widow, Marlyn, The plaque will be placed permanently in a shrine that will soon be erected by promoter Hawes. The shrine will commemorate many of Marysville Raceway Park’s legends as the facility approaches it’s 40th consecutive year of operation next season.
Sacramento’s John Anderson started the night of thrills and spills with a lap 1, turn 3 flip in the 1st wingless sprint car heat race. Anderson shook off the effects of the ride and returned for the featured event. In the feature, Russum bolted into the lead from his front row starting position and easily led the race to its conclusion without a challenge. The event was halted and checkered when numerous yellow flags that included one segment of 19 consecutive yellow flag laps slowed the pace. In that one segment, many of the drivers simply would not line up in their assigned order much to the disbelief of scorers and officials alike. Thereafter, consecutive problematic restarts and incidental spins resulted in a significant time management problem. The event was checkered with Chico’s Tony Richards, Yuba City’s Mark Hill and Sacramento’s Tim Sherman Jr. placed behind winner Russum. It was Russum’s 4th victory in 5 starts and he was the only new face in victory lane for the Hall Memorial Race.
The KKCY Country 103 Mini Stocks rolled out next and had a great race to the checkers. Yuba City’s Blane Baker popped into the lead with great early lap moves and put some distance between himself and the snarling pack behind him. Shaun Merritt was in the hunt when yet another mechanical failure took him out of the lead pack. Holsey started to press Baker soon after as Jamie Ollar, Lisa Shelby, Floyd Youngblood and James Foster had a colossal battle just behind. The fans were literally screaming from time to time as the pack that often included 6 or 8 cars contested the top positions.
Baker slipped sideways a little as he exited turn 2 and Holsey was on him. Holsey seemed to wrestle his normally smooth and quick #2 past Baker into turn 3 near ½ way. Baker tried to respond, but lost the handle and slid to a stop. The yellow flag bunched even closer the tightly packed group of racers. Holsey was never headed during the balance of the event, but the racing behind him was frantic and, once again, Jamie Ollar found the runner up position at the flag. Last week’s feature winner was followed by a resurgent Youngblood, Foster and Shelby. Late race rubbin’ and racin’ kept much of the crowd on their feet to the end. The long green flag segment at the end provided some outstanding racing action.
The KKCY Country 103 Cup Stock Cars were next up and the race was a barn-burner for much of the distance. Yuba City’s Jerry Bartlett had this one pretty much in hand after an early series of battles with 2006 champ Phillip Shelby, daughter Heather Bartlett and last weeks winner Jeff Olschowka. But, by the same token, nearly everyone in the race had memorable rides. Defending race champion, Ray Benkowski was a factor until mechanical woes sidelined his racer.
A mid-race get together with Olschowka and Shelby stalled the pair in turn 3. This gave Jerry Bartlett some breathing room and daughter Heather 2nd position. The top 2 spots remained the same at the finish, but it was a hoot ‘n holler race going on behind them as Shelby and Olschowka sliced through the field in the late laps. Shelby took his mount to the pits with mechanical woes late. Shelby was spectacular as he rode the rim and the front stretch wall, on occasion, prior to his retirement. Olschowka got back to 3rd at the end with teammate Jake Cavasos in 4th. It was fast and furious all the way.
The featured Pacific Sprint Car closer was wicked fast, and Mike Wasina Jr. flew into an early lead from his 2nd row start. Wiesz and Grass Valley’s Mark Hall found 2nd and 3rd respectively and Hall was really on the button. Hall’s 3rd row start didn’t matter as he was pressing Wiesz for 2nd right away. Hall and Wiesz were wheel to wheel up the back chute in a torrid duel at ¼ distance when Hall’s car snapped sideways. The black and yellow 54 rocketed off of the turn three banking as Hall fought for control. Hall wrestled the car to a safe stop and the yellow was displayed. At the new green Wiesz flew by Wasina on the backstretch as Wasina’s car started to look a little shaky off of turn 2. Wasina recovered and was good enough for 2nd, but never again challenged the fleet “Colfax Comet”.
Visiting driver Matt Petty took the high-flyer honors for the evening with a frightening endo in turn 1 during a mid-race restart. Petty jumped out after shaking off the effects of the vicious tumble.
The new green took the event to its conclusion with Wiesz lapping traffic at will and Wasina holding on to an obviously ill handling racer in 2nd. Mark Tabor Jr. brought Dale Wondergem’s #91 in 3rd after sliding backwards early on. Tabor made his way back toward the front and had a stirring duel with former Hall Memorial winner Korey Lovell. Lovell timed in quickest and was a contender all night. Lovell finished in 4th. Three of the top four finishers were former champions at Marysville. Hall recovered from his high-speed exit in the opening circuits to finish a respectable 7th in the rapid fire 20 lapper. Hall is also a former champion here. Wasina said after the race that he probably broke a shock early in the event prohibiting him from challenging Wiesz.
The BCRA Midget Lites rolled off a non-stop feature event earlier in the evening dominated by 2006 Champion Doug Hunting.
Put www.marysvilleracewaypark on your “favorites” button on you computer. Watch this site for press releases and updates.
Next week the winged Pacific Sprinters return for a full program. The KKCY Country 103 Cup Mini Stocks will bring their slam bang brand of racing back as well. The Nor Cal Dwarf Cars and the SORA Sprint 100s will also cruise into town for some great racing action. The EXTREME BOMBERS will round out the evening with an exhibition of some fun-time automotive mayhem.
Pit gates always open at 3PM. Pit meeting and pill draw are at 5PM. 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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