Aztec Speedway opened the 2014 season with the great racing that is the norm at this track.
Zane Devilbiss won his 100th IMCA sanctioned feature as he outraced a 15 car field. Devilbiss started 2nd row outside and instantly jumped into the 2nd spot behind Regan Tafoya. After chasing Tafoya for several laps, Devilbiss dived low in turn 2 to put the #18 in front. Tafoya held on for 2nd about 8 car lengths back. Brody Spangler had 3rd nailed down till his car broke on the last lap allowing Shane Devilbiss (brother to Zane) to slip by for 3rd. Spangler held on for 4th. Allen Bradley ran 5th the entire race with Dakota Berry in 6th. Rounding out the rest of the field were: Matt Ratzlaff, Julian Garcia, Ryan Spangler, Dereck Rhodden, Ed Mangum, Tom Melloy, Jody Kordell (broke), Aaron Spangler (blew the engine), and Jeremy Farley.
The sport modified feature with both Northern and Southern sport modifieds racing proved to a very competitive 20 lapper. Joey Klemish took the lead about lap 7 as he passed Brian Carey. These two cars raced close till the last few laps. Klemish held on for the win in his Mopar powered car. With two laps to go, Julie Boettler moved from 6th to the 2nd spot to put her record of 4 wins and 3 2nds at various tracks this year. Brian Carey held the 3rd spot down while Juanita Faddis ran 4th with Rex Higgins finishing 5th. 6th thru 19th were: Glen Spangler, Luke McCormick, Christina Gallegos, Killian Carey, Robert Gallegos, Dillon Terry, Darrell Cordary, Clint Cressler, Jordan Eddleman (broke), Jay Kibel, Roger Cordary, Charles Yates, Marshal Moody, Tom Dutton. Rookie of the race was Luke McCormick. He was in 7th when he spun. Restarted in the back and still managed a 7th place finish.
The IMCA stock car 20 lap feature was the usual challenging race everbody is used to at Aztec. Frankie Hendershot took the lead from the outside front row in turn 1 and held off challenges from Danny Stevenson and Kenny Hendershot to take the win. His brother, Kenny, was close behind in 2nd along with the hard charging Stepahn Carey for 3rd. Danny Stevenson was 4th with Skylar Heath running a good 5th. Rounding out the field were: Jeramy Bradley, Larry Bradley, Richard Trujillo, Traci Jennings, Ron Brewer, Race Fisher, Ed Brown, Tony Hill, Josh Turnbull. No rookies in this race.
The late models had 6 cars signing in tonight and one car, Alen Bowers, was lost to a crash in a heat race. Five cars took the green for a 15 lap shootout. Jeep Berry won handily with Steve Francis,Jr. 2nd. 3rd went to Andy Hockinhull and Jeff Whyman 4th. Brandon Tenski was 5th after his car broke on lap 4. More late models expected in their next appearance.
The hobby stocks put on a good 15 lap feature with Freddy Brooks taking the checkers in front of Randy Dorsett. In 3rd was Billy Beanland followed by Leon Shim, Paul Dorsett, Luke Klemm, Jordan Hockinhull and Kelly Klemm.
The sport compacts ran a short feature with Austin Maxwell winning his first race at Aztec Speedway. Also running his first race was Camron Spangler (Aaron's 13 yr. old son). Camron finished 2nd.
Heat race winners in the modifieds were: Brody Spanger, Aaron Spangler, Regan Tafoya. In the sport modifieds: Rex Higgins, Jordan Eddleman, and Juanita Faddis. In the stock cars: Stephan Carey, Frankie Hendershot, and Kenny Hendershot. In the late models: Andy Hockinhull. The hobbys: Freddy Brooks. And in the sport compacts: Austin Maxwell.
Good weather, good crowd and great racing at Aztec Speedway. We race again on May 17th and finish the month on May 23 & 24 with the Ryan Bard Memorial. I'll see you there.
on May 4, 2014, 12:42 am