"The Gold Cup" Chico - and full 4 days of racing action!! Chico offers many venues for the racer and race fans during these 4 days. Large camping area, chilli feed, bikini contest and a rib feast. Vendors line the foyer to the grandstands offering many types of racing apparel and collectables.
Kicking off Wednesday night was the spec sprints and oops, another class, sorry, dont' remember what it was. Thursday the platform was USAC non wing sprint cars and midgets. 31 cars!! Another good turn out of cars. This track is a small little bull ring and offers close wheel to wheel action. Jake straps in and takes his 2 qualifying laps -- 3rd quick!!! He's on it!!! Green flag drops wih Jake at the back of the Heat --- but within 3 laps he elbowed up and took the checkers as the Heat winner in a dominating fashion!!
Main Event brought Jake in the Moosemobile home with another top 5!! And moving into 2nd in California Sprint Week Points!!! Ryan Bernal took home the win again... a great job by Ryan....
As the non wing sprint cars and midgets moved out of town and on their way to Hanford, the World of Outlaws move into the college town... attracting thousands of fans to witness the traveling 410 wing sprinters. If they really realized the non wings usually present a much more action packed event.
It sure would of been nice if Mother Nature had opted to cooperate and left her scorching temperatures somewhere else, as so far the entire trip the temps topped the 100's. And she didn't let up for this event at Hanford either. The VanderWeerd's took control of promotion and events at Keller Auto Speedway earlier in 2015. Alot of improvements have been made and seeing the local fans support their track is heart warming. Unfortunately with the Wing Event happening in Chico, may of the northern Cal drivers made the decision to remain there for the WoO event, taking the car count down -- only 19 cars.....
Wow - has Jake been on it -- another top 5 in qualifying and another incrediable run - coming home top 5 again!!! WOW!!!!!
Ohhhh, so looking forward to Santa Maria, the last of the Northern Swing -- known for it's cool beach type weather, everyone was devastated when on arrival Mother Nature hadn't listened to anything the weary travelers had said and went againest all the weather predictions. Not only was it hot, it was humid and muggy.... and between weather and loosing a few more cars due to crashes and that event still going on at Chico, only 17 sprint cars. The midgets rejoined the sprints and put on an amazing show. Jake's cousin, Cody took the lead 1/2 way thru and was dominating, until with only a few laps to go, broke!! It was heart break!!!
Let's say " Way To Jake!" as agained he clocked off a top 5 qualifying effort!! On a roll!!! A fast track doens't always produce great action, not much passing and for the heat race, didn't make the top 4... so, what would of been a front row start, shifted the 92 back to 9th on the starting grid. AS the laps ticked down, the track did widen some and Jake was making moves, up to 5th... one lap after a restart, a lap car who had been running low, slid up on the track and Jake moved up the track some to pass him, not realizing Cody Williams was up there 2. The 2 tangled, Jake upside down, ending the run.
Overall for the 6 races, Jake & The Moose Herd heads back to Perris Auto Speedway as being 3 rd in the California Sprint Week events, a huge accomplishment! First was Ryan Bernal, 2nd, Mike Spencer, Jake 3rd, Richard VanderWeerfd 4th with Damion Gardner in 5th.
Thanks to Marv from Picture This for the great shots from Santa Maria..
Someday there will be new words to say Thank you -- Dave, Rich, Chris, Jim, Nikole, Brandi, PeeWee, Chad,George & Luk, Phil & Eieen...allof this could of never happened without all of you!
On to Perris Auto Speedway September 19th for the Howard Classic......