Sean Becker claims second Thompson’s Auto Group Winged Sprint Car win of the year on Saturday at Placerville Speedway
Placerville, CA – After inheriting the lead late in the feature on Saturday multi-time Northern California champion Sean Becker of Roseville led the final two-circuits to grab his second Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Car victory of the season at Placerville Speedway.
Also sharing victory lane on Mountain Democrat Kids Bike Night were Matt Michelli with the Ltd. Late Models, Nick Baldwin with the Pure Stocks and Dakota Albright with the BCRA Midget Lites. The evening also doubled as Red Hawk Casino championship point race number nine. A total of 25 bikes donated by a number of generous companies and individuals were handed out to kids 11 and under on Saturday.
The 25-lap Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Car main event started out with Fair Oaks driver Jake Morgan jumping into the lead. On lap four Clarksburg’s Justyn Cox took it three-wide for the top-spot, which ultimately saw him get under both Morgan and Foresthill’s Jodie Robinson in turn two. Morgan’s strong run ended on lap seven though, as he caught a rut and got upside down to bring out a red flag.
On the ensuing restart Robinson then suffered a flat tire that resulted in her getting over the edge and coming to a stop. When going back green Becker sliced his way into third, as Citrus Height’s Kalib Henry began to put pressure on Cox for the lead. Racing through heavy lapped traffic on lap 14 Henry got the opening he needed to thread the needle and take command. The youngster was in search of his first career sprint car win, but with that in sight the yellow lights flashed on for Steven Tiner with just two-laps remaining.
On the restart Henry bicycled sideways, while Cox did the same, ultimately seeing both drivers come together and stop in turn four. Becker inherited the lead that he would never relinquish. The “Shark” took the checkered flag to give car owner Dan Monhoff his second victory of the season. Penngrove’s Buddy Kofoid, Hollister’s Tony Gualda, Templeton’s Kaleb Montgomery and Elk Grove’s Greg Decaires completed the top-five.
A total 25 Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360’s were on hand with the ADCO Driveline and Custom Exhaust fast time award going to Buddy Kofoid at an 11.545. Heat races were captured by Kofoid, CJ Humphreys, Sean Becker and Kalib Henry. The nights B-main went to Dustin Freitas.
Ltd. Late Model point leader Matt Michelli won an entertaining 20-lap contest on Saturday. Mike Lightfoot jumped to the initial lead with Ray Trimble climbing into second on lap one. Matt Michelli moved to second on lap six and then challenged for the lead on the ensuing lap. With eight laps in the record books he charged into the top spot. Ryan McDaniel carved his way to second on lap 13, before having a good battle with Trimble as the race wound down.
Michelli picked up the win over McDaniel, Trimble, Tyler Lightfoot and Eddie Gardner. Eight Ltd. Late Models signed in during the night with the heat race going to Ray Trimble.
Dan Jinkersen jumped to the lead in the Pure Stock feature, but a lap two restart saw Jason Palmer shoot past for the top spot. Nick Baldwin moved to second on lap five and then gave chase after the leader. The top duo battled side by side on lap seven and put on a show until a lap 14 yellow. Baldwin looked for the lead on the restart but a big crash brought out yellow. On the next start the reigning track champion took command and he would never look back.
Baldwin crossed the checkered flag to claim his first point race win of the season. Palmer, Jinkersen, Jaff Gavard and Travis Emery completed the top-five in the feature. Thirteen Pure Stocks were in action on Saturday with heats won by John Ewing and Scott Grunert.
Dakota Albright led flag-to-flag in the BCRA Midget Lite feature to score the win over Craig Dillard, Emilee Lindrgen, Brandon Leedy and Terry Bergstrom. Nine BCRA Midget Lites competed during the night with the lone heat race going to Scott Kinney.
The Placerville Speedway is right back in action next Saturday July 15 with Red Hawk Casino point race number 10 with the Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks, Mini Trucks and NCDCA Dwarf Cars.
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Photos courtesy of Cleveland Digital Imaging