CHICO, CA (8-27-10) - It was a championship battle for the ages Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway. Defending champion Jimmy Pettit held a one-point lead over Terry Schank Jr. Schank Jr. had just the previous week won the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Shootout Series championship. He wrapped up the title at Chico. Now he was back to claim another driving title.Not far behind those two was Brett Youngman. Only four points back, Youngman could capitalize the most if either of the top two faltered.

It was well documented this week that there was not a lot of love between Pettit and Schank. Pettit and Schank's on track rivalry heated up a few weeks ago when the two made contact in a heat race and later on in the main event. Both drivers said harsh words after the race and tonight their dispute would come down to one final main event. The drama escalated during the heat races when Pettit won heat one and Schank Jr.

won heat three. Only one lone point still separated the two. However, the six-lap heat race would ultimately end Pettit's main event hopes. A water line hose broke loose early in the event. Pettit continued to race and as he crossed the finish line he had hoped not too much damage had been done.

When the 20 car-starting field lined up for the race it was Pettit who started on the pole. Schank Jr. started inside row two. Going into the race Pettit knew he was in trouble. "When I started the car and headed towards the race track I could tell something wasn't right," said Pettit. "I guess it carried over from the heat race and I was running on only seven cylinders. Terry is too good of a driver to hold off even when I have all eight running. So I knew it was going to be a big task to hold him off."

Pettit took the lead. He even surprised himself by leading the first few laps. At one point Schank moved into second and then passed Pettit. Yet, Pettit never gave up and re-passed Schank for the lead. The race was halted on lap ten. On the restart Schank moved to the inside of Pettit.

The two raced into turn three and four. Pettit never seemed to ease up and this ultimately caused his car to drift of the track. Schank was the new leader when Pettit came back onto the track he was in ninth. Game, set, and match for Schank. Because of time constraints the race was shortened to 15-laps. Schank Jr. led the final five with ease. It was his fourth win of the year. "I didn't want to beat Jimmy that way," said Schank. "I was following him and knew he was burning up (the motor) so I was patient and took my time. It's a shame for him but I've been driver a lot of years and anything can happen in racing and we saw some of that tonight."

Cody Myers had the drive of the night. Myers started in the fifth row but quickly worked his way into second. If him and his father commit to a track or series next year they will be championship contenders. Jim Perry made a rare start at Chico. It turned out to be a good one as he brought the #7p home in third. GQ model Taylor Simas and the spokesman for hair club for men finished in the fourth spot. Grass Valley champion Billy Wallace finished fifth.

Fast Eddy Lewis won the second heat race in the Ashley Furniture Home Stores #7x. The wingless stars will return one final time in 2010 on Wednesday night, September 8.