Ryan Peter wins Tilford Tribute in dramatic fashion Saturday

Rio Linda’s Ryan Peter took advantage of traffic on the final corner to score a wild victory with the Red Hawk Resort + Casino Pure Stocks at Placerville Speedway on Saturday.

Also snagging wins as part of the Donnie Tilford Tribute were Ray Trimble with the Kings Meats Ltd. Late Models, Austin Struthers with the Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks and Ryan Smith in the traveling West Coast Pro Stock feature.

The Pure Stocks set a blistering pace in the 25-lap Tilford Tribute finale. Drivers battled tooth and nail as the initial 20 circuits clicked off caution free. Diamond Springs Dan Jinkerson led early on but felt intense pressure in the form of Nick Baldwin, brother Kevin Jinkerson and Ryan Peter.

With the Pure Stocks thundering around red clay, Baldwin hounded Jinkerson for the lead, before taking over the point on lap six. Excellent racing continued throughout the feature, but things changed wildly on the final lap.

Baldwin looked to be on way to victory but caught lapped cars side by side entering turn three for the final time. He backed off to avoid collision, however, got boxed in down low behind one of the cars, which pitched him sideways and stalled, unable to cross the stripe.

Peter had driven by D. Jinkerson just a lap prior and was now in position to take the checkered flag for the win with Baldwin parked off turn four. At the line it was Peter bringing home the surreal triumph over Dan Jinkerson, Tyler Lightfoot, Kevin Jinkerson and Tommy Sturgeon.

The Kings Meats Ltd. Late Models made their season debut on Saturday and saw Auburn’s Ray Trimble score a dominating win in the 25-lap contest. He was followed across the checkered by Matt Micheli, Rod Oliver, Tyler Lightfoot, Chris Mcginnis.

The Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks showcased a solid two truck battle up front with Austin Struthers and rookie Noah LaPoint breaking away from the pack. Struthers led the first few laps, before LaPoint nipped him at the line to lead lap four.

Struthers came right back by though and led the remaining circuits. LaPoint did keep him honest during the 25-lap race and crossed the line in second ahead of Brycen Bragg, Luke Costa and Paizlee Miller.

The West Coast Pro Stocks made their Placerville Speedway debut at the Tilford Tribute. Travis White jumped out front early and looked extremely fast while doing so. He would eventually develop a major push however, and on lap 15 it was Ryan Smith rocketing into the top spot.

Smith cut smooth laps out front as Richard Brace Jr. attempted to close the gap. Smith was too good on this night though and accepted the Ron Stahl checkered flag for the win over Brace Jr., Chris Smith, Mark Garner and White.

Placerville Speedway is dark for Easter weekend before returning to action on Saturday April 26th with Sutters Ridge Night by Williams Homes.

Results

Placerville Speedway

Tilford Tribute

April 12, 2025

Kings Meats Ltd. Late Models:

1. 37-Ray Trimble[1]; 2. 96M-Matt Micheli[4]; 3. 57-Rod Oliver[5]; 4. 23-Tyler Lightfoot[2]; 5. 22-Chris Mcginnis[3]; 6. 22G-Paul Gugliomoni[6]

Red Hawk Resort + Casino Pure Stocks:

1. 83-Ryan Peter[3]; 2. 29-Dan Jinkerson[2]; 3. 23-Tyler Lightfoot[12]; 4. 30-Kevin Jinkerson[1]; 5. 16-Tommy Sturgeon[14]; 6. 22K-Jason Palmer[5]; 7. 17-Nick Baldwin[4]; 8. 92M-Matt Tilford[8]; 9. 47-Michael Murphy[10]; 10. 54-Anthony Vigna[7]; 11. 48-John Evans[9]; 12. 86-Ray Trimble[6]; 13. 27B-Arnita Bradshaw[11]; 14. (DNS) 10-Ted Ahart

Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks:

1. 70-Austin Struthers[1]; 2. 92N-Noah LaPoint[3]; 3. 75-Brycen Bragg[5]; 4. 17-Luke Costa[7]; 5. 26-Paizlee Miller[6]; 6. 07-Tyler Goggin[9]; 7. 33-Gaige Pope Joy[4]; 8. 22-Nick Perkins[8]; 9. 28-Howard Miller[2]

West Coast Pro Stocks:

1. 3D-Ryan Smith[2]; 2. 401K-Richard Brace Jr[6]; 3. 19-Chris Smith[4]; 4. 5-Mark Garner[3]; 5. 75-Travis White[1]; 6. 21G-Gene Guinn[7]; 7. (DNF) 56-Jay Sears[5]

Images courtesy of D&P Photos