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Bloom Grabs Second Career Win at Chico

CHICO, CA (6-6-15) - Keith Bloom survived a rain and lightning storm to grab his second career 410 sprint car main event win at Silver Dollar Speedway Friday night. Bloom drives the Chuck Wolf Sand and Gravel #19 in memory of Tyler Wolf. Bloom beat a stout field of drivers to claim the popular win. The night was halted over one hour when a freak of a rain storm plastered the speedway. The speedway track crew never gave up hope and stayed focused on keeping the track viable.

Ryan McDaniel double-dipped during the Friday night Chuck Patterson point race #7 presented by O�Reilly Auto Parts along with Heather Cooper and Bodie Shepherd. McDaniel won both the dirt modified and limited late model main events. Brian Cooper earned his fourth consecutive hobby stock main event. Cooper is undefeated when it comes to racing at Silver Dollar Speedway this year. Damian Merritt won the mini stock main event.

Thirty high powered 410 sprint cars entered the pit area tonight at Chico. There was a certain buzz in the air because Los Angeles driver Tyler Walker made his return to sprint car racing. Walker�s off tack life style had sent waves through the racing community. However, the majority of the fans welcomed him back with open arms. During qualifying Walker did the unthinkable and turned the fastest lap of the night. In fact, he was the only driver to turn a lap in the eleven second bracket at 11.985.

Once the heat races were completed a major rain storm pelted the speedway. Push truck drivers and track officials worked together to save the track and rework the dampened racing surface. Even though the track was greasy both drivers and officials knew it was time to go back racing because of the looming time curfew.

The limited late models were the first feature event to hit the track. McDaniel started in the fourth spot but quickly moved to the lead. Once McDaniel gets out front it usually means game over. McDaniel cruised to the easy win. Behind him it was Paul Guglielmoni finishing in the second spot. Championship driver Matt Micheli started ninth but finished third. Anthony Restad started on the pole position and was able to stay inside the top five to finish fourth. Travis Moore moved from his tenth starting spot to come home fifth. Dominic Stone won the first heat race. McDaniel got the win during heat race number two.

The 410 sprint car main event was next up on the track. Keith Bloom used his outside front row starting spot to grab the early lead. Bud Kaeding fell to the second spot. To be honest there was not much passing during the race. It was not for a lack of trying on both track personnel and drivers. The rain had saturated the famous tacky clay and it equals out the cars on the track. The biggest on track incident occurred when Kaeding and Jonathan Allard began to battle for second. For two laps the two champions threw haymakers at each other. Allard�s night came to an end when contact between himself and Kaeding arose in turn two. Allard sat in his car but judging by his body language he was frustrated. The race resumed with Bloom up front. To his credit Bloom had to shake of the nerves and hit his marks. Bloom did a great job of staying cool, calm and collected. It was an emotional win for him and this team during the David Tarter Memorial weekend of racing. Kaeding finished second. Walker was able to move into a third place finish. Jason Statler came home fourth. Kyle Hirst finished fifth. Bloom, Kaeding and Statler won their eight lap heat race. Brad Bumgarner passed Willie Croft during the 12-lap B main event to get the win. Mike Monahan and Heath Hall finished third and fourth allowing them to transfer into the main event.

Brian Cooper held off a charging Brian Compton to win the exciting hobby stock main event. Lots of on track bumping and grinding provided some sparks on and off the track. David Cooper and Todd Cooper each won heat races.

The dirt modified drivers provided great on track entertainment even with the excess rain on the track. Eighth starting Ryan McDaniel showed us all why he is so good. McDaniel used patience and skill to drive up through the field and get the win. Local champion Jake Vantol had a solid night to finish second. Randy McDaniel started tenth and charged to third.

Damian Merritt won both the heat race and main event during the mini stock race. Merritt survived a late race charge by Nick Vidovich. Vidovich had closed to the back bumper of Merritt but spun around late in the race. Give props to Merritt who showed his resilience in clean sweeping the nights racing action.

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