|
Santa Maria, CA., June 12 – Round six of the 16-race 2010 NMRA-TQ Midget Series Saturday at the third-mile clay Santa Maria Speedway produced the sixth different feature winner—Chuck West, of Clovis. The three-time NMRA-TQ driving champion (2002, 06 and 08) started first and led all 25 laps. He scored his 18th TQ main event victory since NMRA reformed in 2002. The winner drove the Repell, CW Industries of Fresno, SDTC Equipment Rentals No. 38 Stealth/Suzuki 750cc-powered car owned by his cousin, West Evans. West, who was not present at one of the six events this season, jumped from sixth in 2010 driver points to a third place tie with Ron Ahrendt at 291 points. The 38 car remained second in owner points.
Anthony Lopiccolo, the 2010 point leader, charged from sixth-starting spot in a nine-car field and finished second to retain his point advantage by 47 points over Evans. Lopiccolo's No. 21 TQ, owned by his father Paul, is five points ahead of the No. 38 TQ. Greg Edenholm drove the 38 car on April 10 when the traveling NMRA teams last raced in Santa Maria and West was absent. Bruce Hiroshima came from eighth to third at the checkers. Evans (from fifth) and Dakota Schweitzer (from fourth) also completed all 25 laps and rounded out the top[ five finishers. Sixth place Ron Ahrendt (from third) and Dave Lambert (from second) finished 24 laps. Eighth finisher Amanda Thomas ran 13 laps after starting seventh. Edenholm did not log any laps in his own No. 2 TQ.
Two eight-lap heat races went to Ahrendt (from second starting) and Lopiccolo (from third). All nine cars ran a pair of laps during afternoon time trials and Hiroshima set the fastest time of 16.063 on his first lap. Second fastest qualifier Amanda Thomas also ran her best lap on her first lap at 16.290. The next six drivers set their best lap on their second timed lap. The spread from fastest to slowest qualifier was 0.634. The next NMRA-TQ race will be held Saturday, June 19 at Perris Auto Speedway where Hiroshima started fourth and won the TQ season-opening main on March 13 over Lopiccolo.
Summary:
Fast Time: Bruce Hiroshima, 16.063.
Heat 1: Ron Ahrendt, Chuck West, West Evans, Hiroshima, Greg Edenholm.
Heat 2: Andrew Lopiccolo, Dakota Schweitzer, Dave Lambert, Amanda Thomas.
Main: West, Lopiccolo, Hiroshima, Evans, Schweitzer, Ahrendt, Lambert, Thomas, Edenholm.
|
