(Oxnard, CA, Cliff Morgan, 8/3/12) The 2012 Ventura County Fair Motorsports events once again provided racing action for the fans in attendance August 1 and 2nd.. With the best in VRA Midget action on Wednesday and the best in IMCA open wheel stock cars on Thursday bookended by a Demolition Derby on both nights, fans saw some great racing action.
Wednesday August 1 saw the VRA battle at the Beach race highlight a night of exciting open wheel racing. With 15 midgets in the pits all vying for the $1,500 winner’s purse the, the crowd was in for some intense racing action. Two heart races were held with wins going to Danny Ebberts and Randi Pankratz. The 30 lap feature was a wild affair with Gardner dominating the race from his outside front row starting position. Troy Rutherford and his number 86 car challenged for 25 laps until his motor died in turn one ending his night. Jerome Rodela, who started seventh moved into second after a spirited drive to the front to try and pass the flying Gardner. Gardner did not look back and held Rodela off to take the win. Following Gardner to the line were Rodella, Cody Swanson, Danny Ebberts and Randi Pankratz. Gardner's win puts him atop the VRA Midget Standings in both the regular point race and the Battle of the Beach series within a series. In the regular series he is tie with Greg Edenholm who finished eighth Wednesday
Also on the card Wednesday were the VRA Focus Midgets. In heat race action, wins went to Wally Pankratz and Austin Blair. Their 20 lap feature went to young up and coming driver, Cory Elliot. Following him across the line were Parker Colston, Austin Blair, Ty Hindman and Ashley Hazelton. Colston's second place finish puts him out front in the season point race by 5 points over Wally Pankratz.
In VRA Sport Compact racing the night saw heat races go to Trevor Fitzgibbon and Heath Morton. Their 20 lap main event went to Trevor Fitzgibbon. He was followed to the line by Zachary Peterson, Jess Carlucci, Mike Stanford and Michaela Stanton. Carlucci still maintains a 30 point lead over Peterson after 8 races in 2012.
VRA Go Karts also competed with 9 karts signed into the pits. Two heats were run with wins going to Cody Nigh and Kenny Byers Jr. The 20 lap feature saw Mike Evans take the lead on lap 3 from Justin Raper and go on to take the win. Justin Raper finished second with Kenny Byers third, Cody Nigh fourth and Dillon Ito fifth.
To end the night a 5 car Demolition Derby was contested. The banging and crashing lasted twenty-two minutes with Eric Brown coming out on top as the last car running taking the $1,000 winners check. Finishing second through fifth were Billy O, Cary Dickerson, Darren Loe and Evan Thrasher.
Ventura Raceway Race Results for 08/01/2012
VRA Midgets
Race #6 08/01/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Ronnie Gardner, Norco, Ca, 30 Laps; 2. Jerome Rodella, El Monte, 30 Laps; 3. Cody Swanson, Norco, 30 Laps; 4. Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lakes, 30 Laps; 5. Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, 30 Laps; 6. Cory Kruseman, Ventura, 30 Laps; 7. Bruce Douglass, Ventura, 30 Laps; 8. Greg Edenholm, Pacific Grove, 30 Laps; 9. Jake Swanson, Anaheim, 30 Laps; 10. Wink Schweitzer, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 11. Patrick Clark, Las Vegas, NV, 29 Laps; 12. Bruce Hiroshima, Camarillo, 29 Laps; 13. Trevor Cooper, New Zealand, 28 Laps; 14. Troy Rutherford, Ojai, 25 Laps; 15. Kyle Edwards, Fountain Valley, 22 Laps
Lap Leaders: Ronnie Gardner (1-30)
Heat Race Winners: Sander Engineering Heat 1: Danny Ebberts; Schroeder Racing Products Heat 2: Randi Pankratz
Lucas Oil Hard Charger: Cody Swanson
DJ Safety Hard Luck: Troy Rutherford
Top 10 in points: 1. Ronnie Gardner, 1205; 1. Greg Edenholm, 1205; 3. Cody Swanson, 1200; 4. Danny Ebberts, 1155; 5. Wink Schweitzer, 1140; 6. Randi Pankratz, 1125; 7. Bruce Douglass, 710; 8. Kyle Smith, 670; 9. Jake Swanson, 580; 10. Kyle Edwards, 465
ARP Battle at the Beach Top 10 in points: 1. Ronnie Gardner, 495; 2. Danny Ebberts, 435; 3. Cody Swanson, 425; 4. Randi Pankratz, 365; 5. Bruce Douglass, 360; 5. Greg Edenholm, 360; 7. Wink Schweitzer, 340; 8. Kyle Edwards, 295; 9. Jerome Rodella, 230; 10. Cory Kruseman, 190
Ford Focus
Race #7 08/01/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Cory Elliot, Bakersfield, 20 Laps; 2. Parker Colston, Lake Elsinor, 20 Laps; 3. Austin Blair, 20 Laps; 4. Ty Hindman, Buena Park, 20 Laps; 5. Ashley Hazelton, Northridge, 19 Laps; 6. Katlynn Leer, Moulton, Iowa, 19 Laps; 7. Wally Pankratz, Orange, 13 Laps; 8. Christine Breckenridge, Irvine, 13 Laps; 9. Bubba Grey, Dallas, TX, 13 Laps; 10. Zack Bogner, 12 Laps
Lap Leaders: Cory Elliot (1-20)
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Wally Pankratz; Heat 2: Austin Blair
Top 10 in points: 1. Parker Colston, 1345; 2. Wally Pankratz, 1340; 3. Ashley Hazelton, 1055; 4. Christine Breckenridge, 965; 5. Michael Steele, 840; 6. Austin Blair, 805; 7. Brennan Rogers, 790; 8. Cory Elliot, 720; 9. Cole Custer, 705; 10. Leroy Anderson, 395
Go-Karts
Race #7 08/01/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Mike Evans, 20 Laps; 2. Justin Raper, Paso Robles, 20 Laps; 3. Kenny Byers Jr, Ventura, 20 Laps; 4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 5. Dillon Ito, Newberry Park, 17 Laps; 6. Shawn Mayre, Newbury Park, Ca, 17 Laps; 7. Henry Ito, 8 Laps; 8. Ashley Hazelton, Northridge, Did not start; 9. Taylor Haley, Santa Paula, Ca, Did not start
Lap Leaders: Justin Raper (1-2), Mike Evans (3-20)
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Cody Nigh; Heat 2: Kenny Byers Jr
Top 10 in points: 1. Cody Nigh, 1475; 2. Justin Raper, 1375; 3. Kenny Byers Jr, 1330; 4. Ashley Hazelton, 1270; 5. Mike Evans, 1170; 6. Dillon Ito, 860; 7. Taylor Haley, 745; 8. Steven Ito, 700; 9. Henry Ito, 515; 10. Tyler Stover, 480
VRA Sport Compacts
Race #7 08/01/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Trevor Fitzgibbon, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 2. Zachary Peterson, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 3. Jess Carlucci, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 4. Mike Stanford, 20 Laps; 5. Michaela Stanton, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 6. Brent Underwood, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 7. Heath Morton, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 8. Brad Long, Burbank, 20 Laps; 9. James Adler, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 10. John Butcher, Santa Barbara, 17 Laps; 11. Bud Crudo, 6 Laps
Lap Leaders: Michaela Stanton (1-8), Trevor Fitzgibbon (9-20)
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Heath Morton; Heat 2: Trevor Fitzgibbon
Top 10 in points: 1. Jess Carlucci, 1570; 2. Zachary Peterson, 1540; 3. James Adler, 1435; 4. Brad Long, 1285; 5. John Butcher, 1215; 6. Michaela Stanton, 1045; 7. Trevor Fitzgibbon, 780; 8. Heath Morton, 750; 9. Bud Crudo, 455; 10. Mike Stanford, 390
Night two of the Motorsports events was held on Thursday August 2nd. The night saw 30 IMCA Modifieds signed in for competition. All the best drivers in Southern California and a few from further away were there to go for the $1,000 winner’s check. There were four heat races held with wins going to Brad Prows, Gary Dutton, Ryan Lauer and Joe Heresky. In the 13 car, 12 lap semi main that transferred 4 cars to the feature for the 30 lap main event, Joshua Vogt took the win. The cars and drivers then ran a 30 lap feature that was wild. Brad Pounds took the win after a lap 29 turn one pass. He was followed by Larry Hood who had led laps 5-28 and did all he could to hold Pounds off to no avail, Joshua Vogt who came from 17th starting position to finish 3rd., Daylan Coffee who came from 13th to finish 4th and Chris Crompe Who came from 19th to finish 5th.
VRA Dwarf Cars also competed on Thursday with Seniors and Pros in action. In Senior competition, heat races went to Tom Stephens in heat one, but he failed to stop for tech and was DQd., which moved the win to Bob Kauffman. In heat two, Bob Brown took the win. Their 20 lap main event went to Bob Brown with Mike Neal, Keith Vondersaar, Rick Lapka and Tom Stephens Sr. right behind at the checkered flag. In Pro action three heat races were run with Ray Estrada taking heat one, Luke Boles taking heat two and Johnathan Henry taking heat three. The 20 lap main event went to Curt Cook followed by Johnathan Henry, Luke Boles, Tom Stephens Jr., and Randy Gordon.
The final group racing on Wednesday was the VRA Kid's Classes. In Mini Dwarf Pistons, Gauyn Manning took the heat win. In the feature Manning crossed the line first but was disqualified in post-race tech. Andrew Orlando inherited the win, followed by Blake Hendricks, Garret Egan and Dylan Neal. In Mini Dwarf Superchargers the heat race and main event win on the track went to Cameron McCauley but his car failed post race tech for being underweight, so the main win went to Jeremy Clark. Joe Snyder, Nick Velasquez, J D Brown and Destyn Garcia followed him to the checkered flag. In VRA Junior Midget action, the heat race went to Tommy Velesquez. He went on to also win the feature over Devin McCree, Miles Hedrick and Kayle Brazel
To end the night a 5 car Demolition Derby was contested. On this night the banging and crashing lasted 23 minutes with Wednesday night winner Eric Brown repeating his win as the last car running taking the $1,000 winners check. Finishing second through fifth were Cary Dickerson, Evan Thrasher, Billy O. and Darren Lowe.
Ventura Raceway will now take a couple of weeks off until August 25, when we return to racing action after the fair has completed its run. On that night VRA Midgets, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Sport Compacts, VRA Go Carts and QRC Karts will be in action. We also want to thank all the competitors and crews who came out to make the two day fair event one of the best ever.
Ventura Raceway Race Results for 08/02/2012
IMCA Modifieds
Race #9 08/02/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Brad Pounds, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 2. Larry Hood, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 3. Joshua Vogt, Santa Maria, 30 Laps; 4. Daylan Coffey, Santa Maria, 30 Laps; 5. Chris Crompe, Nipomo, 30 Laps; 6. Gary Dutton, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 7. Aaron Rodarte, Ventura, 30 Laps; 8. Shawn Natenstedt, Fernley, NV, 30 Laps; 9. Jack Parker, Simi Valley, 30 Laps; 10. Rob Green, Ojai, 30 Laps; 11. Joey Yantis, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 12. Troy Morris Jr, Bakersfield, 30 Laps; 13. Ryan Lauer, Santa Maria, 26 Laps; 14. Joe Haresky, Phelan, 26 Laps; 15. Austin Rodarte, Ventura, 13 Laps; 16. James Stowe, Ridgecrest, 13 Laps; 17. Brad Prows, Oak View, 12 Laps; 18. Steve Boucher, Susan Ville, 9 Laps; 19. Mitchell Mohler, Flagstaff, AZ, 4 Laps; 20. Roger Holder, Bakersfield, 1 Lap
Lap Leaders: Steve Boucher (1-4), Larry Hood (5-28), Brad Pounds (29-30)
Heat Race Winners: Extreme Mufflers Heat 1: Brad Prows; Speedway Engineering Heat 2: Gary Dutton; Roper Fabrication and Design Heat 3: Ryan Lauer; Competition Products Heat 4: Joe Haresky
Oldies Speed Shop Hard Charger: Joshua Vogt/Chris Crompe
Oldies Speed Ship Hard Luck: Steve Boucher
Top 10 in points: 1. Jack Parker, 325; 2. Brad Prows, 302; 3. Mark Davis, 273; 4. Wayne Heurung, 266; 5. Chuck Costabile, 218; 6. Aaron Rodarte, 199; 7. Joshua Vogt, 195; 8. Austin Rodarte, 193; 9. Steve Bulpitt, 177; 10. Tom Topping, 170
VRA Pro Dwarf Cars
Race #7 08/02/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Curt Cook, Santa Paula, 20 Laps; 2. Jonathan Henry, 20 Laps; 3. Luke Boles, Goleta, 20 Laps; 4. Tom Stephens Jr, Ventura, 20 Laps; 5. Randy Gordon, Simi Valley, 20 Laps; 6. Ray Estrada, Yucaipa, 20 Laps; 7. Thomas Velasquez, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 8. Jason Horton, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 9. Tim Conley, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 10. Lee Majors, Simi Valley, 20 Laps; 11. Johnny Conley, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 12. David Taft, Ramona, 20 Laps; 13. Dustin Dumas, San Diego, 19 Laps; 14. Alex Wood, San Dimas, 19 Laps; 15. Tate Morehead, 19 Laps; 16. Shawn Egan, Saugus, 19 Laps; 17. April Banvelos, Sylmar, 19 Laps; 18. Chase Lippert, Thousand Oaks, 18 Laps; 19. Darren Bent, San Diego, 10 Laps; 20. Cody Majors, Simi Valley, 4 Laps; 21. Jeff Seifert, San Diego, 4 Laps; 22. Eric Moore, Ventura, 4 Laps
Lap Leaders: Johnny Conley (1), Curt Cook (2-20)
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Ray Estrada; Heat 2: Luke Boles; Heat 3: Jonathan Henry
Top 10 in points: 1. Ray Estrada, 1605; 2. Luke Boles, 1495; 3. Randy Gordon, 1365; 4. Curt Cook, 1330; 5. Lee Majors, 1250; 6. Eric Moore, 1235; 7. Johnny Conley, 1215; 8. Thomas Velasquez, 1165; 9. Cody Majors, 1015; 10. Tom Stephens Jr, 1005
VRA Senior Dwarf Cars
Race #7 08/02/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Bob Brown Jr, El Cajon, 20 Laps; 2. Mike Neal, Northridge, 20 Laps; 3. Keith Vondersaar, Acton, 20 Laps; 4. Rick Lapka, Apple Valley, 20 Laps; 5. Tom Stephens Sr, Ventura, 20 Laps; 6. Bob Kaufman, Santa Clarita, CA, 20 Laps; 7. Tim Morse, Burbank, 20 Laps; 8. George Sack Jr, Agua Dulce, 19 Laps; 9. Mitch Hedrick, Simi Valley, 19 Laps; 10. Mike Bailey, Ojai, 18 Laps; 11. George Calvo, Agua Dulce, 6 Laps; 12. Ron Bach, Santa Paula, 3 Laps
Lap Leaders: Keith Vondersaar (1), Mike Neal (2-9), Bob Brown Jr (10-20)
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Tom Stephens Sr; Heat 2: Bob Brown Jr
Top 10 in points: 1. Bill Van Praag, 1430; 2. Mike Neal, 1365; 3. Tom Stephens Sr, 1335; 4. Bob Kaufman, 1325; 5. George Calvo, 1300; 6. George Sack Jr, 1105; 7. Keith Vondersaar, 630; 8. Bobby Lague, 625; 9. Rick Lapka, 595; 10. David Quigley, 535
VRA Junior Midgets
Race #8 08/02/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Tommy Velasquez III, Camarillo, 15 Laps; 2. Devin McCree, Ventura, 15 Laps; 3. Miles Hedrick, Simi Valley, 15 Laps; 4. Kayle Brazel, Granada Hills, 14 Laps
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Tommy Velasquez III
Top 10 in points: 1. Devin McCree, 1685; 2. Tommy Velasquez III, 1590; 3. Miles Hedrick, 1560; 4. Kayle Brazel, 840; 5. Oliver Blades, 670; 6. Mike Long, 570; 7. Jake Aguilar, 200; 8. Brennan Rogers, 0
VRA Mini Dwarf - Pistons
Race #7 08/02/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Gauyn Manning, Disqualified; 2. Andrew Orlando, Bakersfield, 12 Laps; 3. Blake Hendricks, Simi Valley, 12 Laps; 4. Garrett Egan, Saugus, 12 Laps; 5. Dylan Neal, Oxnard, 12 Laps; 6. Zack Chavez, Santa Paula, 12 Laps; 7. Bailey Hendricks, Simi Valley, 9 Laps
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Gauyn Manning
Top 10 in points: ; 8. Gauyn Manning, 0; 8. Andrew Orlando, 0; 8. Bailey Hendricks, 0; 8. Zack Chavez, 0; 8. Blake Hendricks, 0; 8. Dylan Neal, 0; 8. Garrett Egan, 0
VRA Mini Dwarf - Superchargers
Race #7 08/02/2012
Main Event Results: 1. Cameron McCauley, Westlake, Disqualified; 2. Jeremy Clark, Bakersfield, 12 Laps; 3. Joe Snyder, Westlake, 12 Laps; 4. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 12 Laps; 5. J D Brown, Port Hueneme, 12 Laps; 6. Destyn Garcia, Oxnard, 12 Laps; 7. Logan Rutherford, Ojai, 11 Laps
Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Cameron McCauley
Top 10 in points: 1. Nick Velasquez, 1730; 2. J D Brown, 1590; 3. Destyn Garcia, 1040; 4. Eli Marshall, 450; 5. Jacob Aguilar, 410; 6. Jeremy Clark, 295; 7. Joe Snyder, 230; 8. Logan Rutherford, 170; 9. Cameron McCauley, 40
- Ventura Raceway on Aug 07, 2012
- Article Date: 8/7/2012 by Ventura Raceway/Cliff Morgan