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Jason Fensler Wins
Second Straight Race
Source: SRL Public
Relations/Eddie Alves - Date: May 2, 2005
Madera, California - Madera
Speedway hosted round number two of the SRL Wild West Shootout
Saturday night at the Madera county fairgrounds. Wilton’s
Jason Fensler picked up his second consecutive victory winning
the Smokey Hanoian Classic presented by Paul Evert’s RV
Country.
Finishing second was Ken Boyd of Ceres, followed by Joey Zampa,
2004 Champion Steve Belletto as Dave Byrd rounded out the top
five. Mike Mendenhall made his SRL debut and finished sixth.
2004 Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year Mark
Smith finished seventh as Troy Ermish finished eight, Jim
Courage Jr. ninth, as Jeff Belletto crossed the Finishline
tenth. “My car was just awesome for the second straight race.
Beebe Racing gives me excellent equipment each and every race
and it just makes my job much easier. I knew I had a much
better racecar tonight then I did qualifying car but this
thing was a rocket.” Fensler said.
Twenty seven cars attempted qualifying as Jeff Belletto turned
the fastest lap at 14.949 seconds around the 1/3 mile track.
Fremont’s Troy Ermish qualified second (14.964), Eric Schmidt
third (14.989), Ken Boyd fourth (15.012), as Jason Fensler
rounded out the top five (15.041). Rookie Angelo Queirolo and
Tracy Bolin each used a provisional to lock themselves into
the 100 lap feature event. Aaron Days and Jeff Anthony
transferred from the 20 lap qualifying race as Raw Lawson Jr.,
Jamie Dick, Greg Potts, Harry Belletto, Carl Pearce, Andrew
Livengood, and John Ostlund missed the feature event.
An eight car invert placed Dave Byrd on the pole with Steve
Belletto on the outside. Honorary starter Paul Evert waved the
initial green flag as the strong field of 20 cars stormed into
turn one. Belletto and Byrd raced side-by-side with Byrd
leading lap one by inches. Byrd led the first six laps until
Fensler took the lead on lap seven from his third starting
position. Byrd held onto second until lap 16 when Ken Boyd
took second away from him. Joey Zampa moved into third on lap
26 as Byrd fell to fourth as Steve Belletto fell to fifth. The
first caution flag of the night fell on lap 36 as Aaron Days
spun. Fensler continued to lead Boyd, Zampa, Byrd, and Steve
Belletto. Belletto snuck by Byrd on Lap 44 just before the
half-way point.
Jeff Anthony charged his way to the top ten after transferring
from the non qualifiers race. Anthony finished 19th after a
late race mechanical problem. The second of three yellow flags
came out on lap 66. Fensler continued to lead with Boyd and
Zampa close behind. The final caution flag came out on lap 90
which setup a 10 lap shootout. Jason Fensler held off Boyd to
win his second straight SRL Wild West Shootout event. “We’re
getting closer. The car is not exactly where I want it to be,
but we are definitely getting closer. Those long runs really
helped us, our car was not as good as Jason’s and we could not
pass the lap cars as easily as he did.” Ken Boyd said after
finishing second. Finishing third and with two top fives in
two races Joey Zampa said “We needed a few more laps to catch
Boyd. We can’t complain with finishing third. Looking forward
to going to Bakersfield, that track is fun, I’m exited.”
After leading real early in the race Dave Byrd finished in the
fifth position as he earned his first top five of 2005. “Our
right rear tire grew a ton tonight, that’s not what we had
expected to happen. We had a blast out here though, this
series is really fun. This is only our second race and as team
and we are learning a lot and learning fast. It is great to
drive for the Whalen’s, we have been friends since the 70’s.”
Byrd said.
Jason Fensler remains on top of the current point standings
with an 11 point lead over Joey Zampa heading to Mesa Marin
Raceway on May 14th. Ken Boyd sits third three points out of
the second position. With two top ten finishes under his belt
Troy Ermish sits fourth and last year’s Rookie of the Year
Mark Smith of Tracy rounds out the top five.
The SRL Wild West Shootout heads to Mesa Marin Raceway in
Bakersfield, California on Saturday, May 14th.
Average race speed: 73.700 MPH
Best lap time: 15.143. Speed 79.165 MPH (Jason Fensler Lap 41)
Margin of Victory 1.403 seconds
For more information visit the SRL Wild West Shootout’s
website at http://www.srllatemodels.com
Davey Hamilton’s SRL “Wild West Shootout” would like to thank
their 2005 Sponsors, which include: Afco, Apex Financial
Group, Bassett Racing Wheels, Brodix Inc., Casciaro Homes,
Dynatech, DPI, Eibach Springs, FRE, Five Star Stock Car
Bodies, Frank’s Radio Service, G. P. Fabrication, Hoosier Tire
West, Impact Racing, Fensler Racing Inc., Paul Oil Co., Perry
Race Cars, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco,
Total Seal Inc., U. S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and
Parts. |
