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Allard Continues His Hot Streak

CHICO, CA (6-19-15) - Chico�s Jonathan Allard continued his winning ways during Friday night�s point race #9. With the win, Allard now has 59 career wins at his home track. However, tonight�s win was anything but easy. Allard used his skill but was aided by a little luck to end up in victory lane.

Chico�s Brandon Powell won his third main event of the season during the economy sprint car feature. Santa Rosa champion driver Terry Schank Jr. won his 30th career non wing spec sprint car main event with ease. By his own admission, Olivehurst�s Ryan McDaniel got lucky to win his sixth consecutive limited late model feature. Marysville driver Chris Warner won the ultra-competitive street stock main event. The win now gives him three wins this year at Chico.

Roseville�s Sean Becker led the opening lap of the sprint car main event. Becker was hooked up and flying around the quarter-mile speedway. At one point, Becker was nearly one-half-second faster than any other driver on the track. Colby Copeland started in the third spot but on the opening lap he moved around front row starter Rowdy McClenon for second. The race was slowed early on for a few yellows; however, it never seemed to knock Becker off his rhythm. Seventh place starting Jonathan Allard was making moves. On lap two, Allard moved into the third. The race held true to form until lap 15. Becker went into the first turn and set the car as normal. Yet, this time the car bounced up and over the cushion and off the track. The yellow was needed. As Becker was pushed back off and came back around towards the front straight, it was evident that he had a flat right rear tire. Becker went to the pits and his crew did a fine job changing the tire and getting him back on track.

Copeland was the new leader. On the restart Allard was all over Copeland. But to Copeland�s credit, he did a great job fending off Allard. The race tightened on lap 23 when Copeland went to the high side entering turn three. On the bottom was a slower car. Allard dove in behind the slower car but drifted through the middle of the track and by the time he came out of turn four he was the new leader. It was an incredible move that provided an enthusiastic response from the crowd. Allard led the final lap to get the win. Copeland finished second. Becker drove all the way back up to a third spot finish. Robbie Price did a great job and finished fourth. McClenon fell back to a fifth place finish.

Joe Hunt Magnetos driver Terry Schank Jr. dominated the 20-lap spec sprint feature. Behind him was a tussle amongst the other 16 drivers who stared the main event. Cody Fendley should be commended for his effort tonight. Not only did he finish second to Schank, but he won the first heat race of the night. Fendley also held off a hard charging Tony Richards. Richards is a true workhorse in our sport and continues to be at the top of his game. John Clark was a bright addition to the nights racing action. He battled all night with the likes of Don Emory and James East. This year, the wingless division at Chico has been the biggest surprise when it comes to car counts and driver quality. Jeremy Wilson won the second heat race during the night.

Oroville�s Ron LaPlant seemed well on his way to winning the economy sprint feature until a mechanical failure sent him off the track late in the race. Brandon Powell took advantage of LaPlant�s misfortune and won the 15-lap event. Doug Emory won the lone heat race for the division. Scott Gannett and Wyatt Brown were both running well tonight and had top finishes.

For the first time this year it seemed that Ryan McDaniel�s win streak weak was going to be stopped. Live Oak�s Matt Micheli had the better car and was running a consistent smooth line as the leader of the race. However, a late race yellow set up an important restart. Micheli made one mistake and drifted up the track just a bit too much and left the door open for McDaniel. That one opening was all McDaniel needed. He passed Micheli for the lead on lap 16 and went on to lead the final four circuits. �I really got lucky tonight,� said McDaniel. �Matt had the car to beat tonight and he deserved to win but I was able to get beside him and pass him late in the race.� Micheli hung on to finish in the second spot. Antony Restad drove a solid race to finish third. Restad started in the sixth spot. Jeff Olschowka is always competitive and finished fourth. McDaniel also won the only heat race of the night.

Three different drivers led during the 20-lap street stock main event but in the end Chris Warner picked up his third win of the season. Clinton Earl and Eddie Hammett each took turns leading the early portion of the feature but by lap eight Warner was in control. Brent Lawrence moved into the second spot on lap seven only to be involved during a lap 11 accident. He rebounded to finish fourth. Seventh place starting Steve Hammett passed numerous cars on his way to a second place finish. Earl hung around up front all night and finished third. Shawn Smith secured another solid top-five-finish tonight. Mike Slightom won the first heat race while Hammett won heat two.

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