By Steve Kaminski The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
WALKER -- Clay Sanders won his first career Mini Sprints feature race Saturday night when DeltaPlex Arena hosted Thunder on the Grand II.
Victory No. 2 came only about three hours later for the 16-year-old Holt High School student.
Sanders started on the pole and led from start to finish in the program’s opening 30-lap Non Winged Sprints main. Drivers then put the wings on the Sprinters, and Sanders came back and dominated the Winged feature, leading all 40 laps.
It wasn’t as easy as that, though, with the first race being the toughest.
Sanders tore around the tiny oval on the DeltaPlex floor, dodging lapped traffic, while holding off hard-charging Danny Shirey of Oberlin, Ohio. The going got especially crazy with two laps to go when Sanders rode over the wheel of the spinning lapped Sprinter of Tim Neal. But Sanders was able to main control and continue his surge forward.
"When I saw Timmy spin, I knew we were going to hit," Sanders said. "I thought I was going to stop, but as soon as I went over him, I just held onto the wheel and pushed the gas and hoped that I was going to make it over."
Shirey wasn’t giving up either, and he had arguably the move of the night when he spun out while trying to slide underneath Sanders midway through the race. Shirey, who won the feature at the DeltaPlex in February, did a 360-degree loop and was able to keep going. Shirey ran Sanders back down and pressured him late, but Sanders kept his cool.
"The last time I was here, I started on the pole and led half the race," Sanders said. "When I saw that there was five to go, I knew it was going to be mine.
"When I got into that lapped traffic, I wasn’t going to try to pass them. I wanted to block and hold my line. I have to give a lot of props to Danny Shirey. He is a great guy, and he won the last time we were here, and he is a good friend of mine. He made it a challenge."
Saturday’s races marked the final Arena Racing program of the season. Sanders raced the Arena cars last year, but has turned his focus to Sprint racing. He outran Neal to win the Winged Sprints main.
"I love it," he said of the DeltaPlex venue. "We raced the Arena cars here last year, but these are much more fun. It is a great place to have it."
Clayton Marvel of Lowell won the 40-lap Arena Racing feature, holding off Brad Huisken of Coopersville, while Dan Reimersma of Ada took top honors in the 40-lap 4 Cylinder race. Garrett Peterson captured the Quarter Midgets main.
Go-kart feature winners were Mike Villena (Flat Head Medium), Cameron Deckard (Cage Carts and Heavy Animal), Al Gierz (Open), Josh Spindelman (Purple Plate), Charles Schultz (Clone) and David Dipple (Gold Plate).
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Garvey Fourth at Mobile International Speedway
Bubba Pollard visited victory lane for the second time in two nights. Leg number two of The Gulf Coast Championship Series was led early by teenage female driving phenom Johanna Long from lap one through eighty six. Pollard showed the same patience he had Friday night at Five Flags Speedway saving his tires and making the pass on lap 87 and never looking back. Long would fade all the way to ninth by races end.
Muskegon's Mike Garvey powered his way to as high as second in the first fifty laps. In the second half of the race he fell outside the top five but was able to take advantage of some late race cautions and cooled down tires to make his way back up to fourth place finish.
Official Results from the Miller Lite 100:
1. 18 - Bubba Pollard
2. 82 - Grant Enfinger
3. 42 - Steven Davis
4. 1 - Mike Garvey
5. 49 - Josh Hamner
6. 82 - Donnie Wilson
7. 112 - Augie Grill
8. 41 - Chris Davidson
9. 10 - Johanna Long
10. 83 - Dylan Presnell
11. 51 - T.J. Reaid
12. 22 - Jeremy Pate
13. 12 - Thomas Praytor
14. 84 - Clay Alexander
15. 4 - D.J. Vanderley
16. 67 - Daniel Hemric
17. 29 - Allen Karnes
Muskegon's Mike Garvey powered his way to as high as second in the first fifty laps. In the second half of the race he fell outside the top five but was able to take advantage of some late race cautions and cooled down tires to make his way back up to fourth place finish.
Official Results from the Miller Lite 100:
1. 18 - Bubba Pollard
2. 82 - Grant Enfinger
3. 42 - Steven Davis
4. 1 - Mike Garvey
5. 49 - Josh Hamner
6. 82 - Donnie Wilson
7. 112 - Augie Grill
8. 41 - Chris Davidson
9. 10 - Johanna Long
10. 83 - Dylan Presnell
11. 51 - T.J. Reaid
12. 22 - Jeremy Pate
13. 12 - Thomas Praytor
14. 84 - Clay Alexander
15. 4 - D.J. Vanderley
16. 67 - Daniel Hemric
17. 29 - Allen Karnes
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Johnny Van Doorn Aiming For Three-Peat; Prepares For Climb Up
COOPERSVILLE, Michigan
Johnny Van Doorn otherwise known as “JVD” is patiently leaving his legacy in short track racing. That legacy has the chance to build momentum as the Coopersville, Michigan native announced that he will return to the Champion Racing Association (CRA) aiming for a third consecutive title in 2011.
Van Doorn though hopes to use accomplishments on the short track to climb the ladder and move up the racing ranks with an aim at the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards as a stepping stone to his hopeful eventual placement in NASCAR.
JVD driving the No. 61 Chevrolet Impala for Kaos Motorsports is one of the pre-race favorites when the CRA opens the curtain on their season-opener at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana on April 16.
“I’m really excited about returning to the CRA Series in 2011,” said Van Doorn, the 2007 CRA Series Rookie of the Year. “It meant a lot not only to myself but my team to win the championship again in 2010 and we feel that we have all the components to defend that title beginning at Anderson.”
He continued, “my dream is to someday reach the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I’m not expecting that climb to be easy but I’m prepared to work for it, much like I have done for everything in racing. I know I cannot do it though without the support of my family, friends and sponsors.”
“CRA is my main objective in 2011 but I would like to methodically enter the ARCA Racing Series at some point and begin the transition to the bigger heavier cars. Both the CRA Series and ARCA are development ladders that can help make dreams come true.”
Despite carrying a quiet; under the radar profile at the track, Van Doorn remains focused on giving his Kaos Motorsports all he can behind the wheel.
“I could go on forever about my team,” he boasted. “My guys are great. They work hard, play hard and have fun. This is what racing is about. Most importantly though, they are in this because they all believe in me. That’s something that words cannot describe. So, I just try to make it up to them on the track.”
To support his quest in 2011, JVD and Co. are appreciative to have the support of Baker Engineering, Earth Service and Supply, Jegs.com, Magic Transportation, Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Port City Racecars and R and R Wire Loom as sponsors on their Chevrolet bowtie.
“It really means a lot to have the sponsor support that we have,” Van Doorn explained. “We could always use more support but while we continue that project, we’re just thankful and blessed to have what we do. Hopefully, we can kick off the season with a “w” next month.”
In 64 races, Van Doorn has posted six poles, eight wins, 25 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes including back-to-back CRA championships in 2009 and 2010.
For more information on Johnny Van Doorn, please visit JohnnyVanDoorn.com.
For additional information on the Champion Racing Association Super Series, please click on CRARacing.net.
DRIVER COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management (KMM)
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com
Johnny Van Doorn otherwise known as “JVD” is patiently leaving his legacy in short track racing. That legacy has the chance to build momentum as the Coopersville, Michigan native announced that he will return to the Champion Racing Association (CRA) aiming for a third consecutive title in 2011.
Van Doorn though hopes to use accomplishments on the short track to climb the ladder and move up the racing ranks with an aim at the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards as a stepping stone to his hopeful eventual placement in NASCAR.
JVD driving the No. 61 Chevrolet Impala for Kaos Motorsports is one of the pre-race favorites when the CRA opens the curtain on their season-opener at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana on April 16.
“I’m really excited about returning to the CRA Series in 2011,” said Van Doorn, the 2007 CRA Series Rookie of the Year. “It meant a lot not only to myself but my team to win the championship again in 2010 and we feel that we have all the components to defend that title beginning at Anderson.”
He continued, “my dream is to someday reach the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I’m not expecting that climb to be easy but I’m prepared to work for it, much like I have done for everything in racing. I know I cannot do it though without the support of my family, friends and sponsors.”
“CRA is my main objective in 2011 but I would like to methodically enter the ARCA Racing Series at some point and begin the transition to the bigger heavier cars. Both the CRA Series and ARCA are development ladders that can help make dreams come true.”
Despite carrying a quiet; under the radar profile at the track, Van Doorn remains focused on giving his Kaos Motorsports all he can behind the wheel.
“I could go on forever about my team,” he boasted. “My guys are great. They work hard, play hard and have fun. This is what racing is about. Most importantly though, they are in this because they all believe in me. That’s something that words cannot describe. So, I just try to make it up to them on the track.”
To support his quest in 2011, JVD and Co. are appreciative to have the support of Baker Engineering, Earth Service and Supply, Jegs.com, Magic Transportation, Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Port City Racecars and R and R Wire Loom as sponsors on their Chevrolet bowtie.
“It really means a lot to have the sponsor support that we have,” Van Doorn explained. “We could always use more support but while we continue that project, we’re just thankful and blessed to have what we do. Hopefully, we can kick off the season with a “w” next month.”
In 64 races, Van Doorn has posted six poles, eight wins, 25 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes including back-to-back CRA championships in 2009 and 2010.
For more information on Johnny Van Doorn, please visit JohnnyVanDoorn.com.
For additional information on the Champion Racing Association Super Series, please click on CRARacing.net.
DRIVER COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management (KMM)
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com
Get your Racing Fix tonight at the Delta Plex
Looking to watch some great racing while staying warm? Tonight is "Thunder on the Grand II " a the Delta Plex. Tickets are just $10
Thunder on the Grand II Saturday March 26th!
Doors Open at : 3:30pm
Racing: 7:00pm
*Mini Sprints (Winged & Non Winged) *Arena Racing Cars *Go Karts *Mini Cup Cars *Quarter Midgets
Thunder on the Grand II Saturday March 26th!
Doors Open at : 3:30pm
Racing: 7:00pm
*Mini Sprints (Winged & Non Winged) *Arena Racing Cars *Go Karts *Mini Cup Cars *Quarter Midgets
Garvey Leads Early but fades at the End
Muskegon's Mke Garvey charged to the front early and took the lead on lap 11 from his 4th place starting position. Garvey along with Donnie Wilson broke away from the pack and had the fans on their feet as they raced side by side and bumper to bumper. Garvey maintained thr lead throughout his battle with Wilson but the hard racing turned out to be detrimental to both drivers. On lap 38 Augie Grill was the new leader as he made quick work of both Garvey and Wilson after a caution. With no tire changes for the 100 lap event Garvey was left hanging on to a loose race car for the remainder of the event. He would fade to 6th by nights end. Bubba Pollard was the man of hour as he saved his tires and was the first winner of the "Blizzard Six Pack Series" for 2011.
Tonight the series heads to Mobile Alabama for round two .
Finishing Results for The Pepsi Max 100 Blizzard Series Race:
1.18 - Bubba Pollard
2.82 - Grant Enfinger
3.112 - Augie Grill
4.82 - Donnie Wilson
5.51 - T.J. Reaid
6.1 - Mike Garvey
7.11 - David Rogers
8.12 - Travis Kittleson
9.49 - Josh Hamner
10.10 - Johanna Long
11.21 - Scott Carlson
12.41 - Chris Davidson
13.83 - Dylan Presnell
14.99 - Wayne Niedecken Jr.
15.94 - Dwyane Buggay
16.84 - Clay Alexander
17.29 - Allen Karnes
18.39 - Gary Sullivan
19.22 - Jeremy Pate
20.4 - D.J. Vanderley, - 3 Laps
21.10 - Ryan Crane, - 10 Laps
22.27 - Bobby Good, - DNF
23.12 - Thomas Praytor, - DNF
24.32 - Ron McDonald, - DNF
25.67 - Daniel Hemric, - DNS
Tonight the series heads to Mobile Alabama for round two .
Finishing Results for The Pepsi Max 100 Blizzard Series Race:
1.18 - Bubba Pollard
2.82 - Grant Enfinger
3.112 - Augie Grill
4.82 - Donnie Wilson
5.51 - T.J. Reaid
6.1 - Mike Garvey
7.11 - David Rogers
8.12 - Travis Kittleson
9.49 - Josh Hamner
10.10 - Johanna Long
11.21 - Scott Carlson
12.41 - Chris Davidson
13.83 - Dylan Presnell
14.99 - Wayne Niedecken Jr.
15.94 - Dwyane Buggay
16.84 - Clay Alexander
17.29 - Allen Karnes
18.39 - Gary Sullivan
19.22 - Jeremy Pate
20.4 - D.J. Vanderley, - 3 Laps
21.10 - Ryan Crane, - 10 Laps
22.27 - Bobby Good, - DNF
23.12 - Thomas Praytor, - DNF
24.32 - Ron McDonald, - DNF
25.67 - Daniel Hemric, - DNS
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