Hirst Wins David Tarter Memorial At Silver Dollar Speedway

Chico, CA...June 15...Kyle Hirst scored the impressive victory in the 35 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway. It was the David Tarter Memorial Race, and the win paid Hirst $3,500. Hirst is the current King Of The West Sprint Car Series point leader. Willie Croft set the early Main Event pace ahead of Sean Becker and point leader Andy Forsberg. Hirst slipped past Forsberg for third on lap 13, and a lap 14 red flag flew when Cody Hodgson and Croft crashed in Turn 1. Becker brought out a yellow flag on the restart, and Hirst led Forsberg and Colby Copeland on the next restart. Copeland took second from Forsberg on lap 23 and took up pursuit of Hirst. Despite two late race mishaps that resulted in a yellow and then a red flag, Hirst would not be denied the big victory. Copeland settled for second ahead of Forsberg, Ryan Robinson, Michael "Buddy" Kofoid, Becker, Mason Moore, Michael Ing, Jake Wheeler and Kenny Allen.

Kyle Larson Racing sponsored a $500 award to the driver with the fast time. There were 23 competitors, and Croft set the standard at 12.136, just beating the 12.185 of Copeland for the fast time. Eight lap heat races were won by Mitchell Faccinto, Forsberg, Steven Ingraham and Kalib Henry. Kofoid won the 10 lap B Main ahead of Moore and Brad Bumgarner.

Brian Cooper scored victory in the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Mini Stock graduate Hunter Merritt raced into to the early lead ahead of past Crate Sprint champion Mike Ficklin and reigning Street Stock champion Phil Marino. A caution flag flew on lap six, but Merritt continued to lead the way until another caution flag waved on the eighth lap. Marino charged past Merritt for the lead on the restart with Cooper now holding third. Cooper put the moves on Merritt for second on lap 11 and set his sights on Marino. Cooper made his winning pass on lap 16 and led the remainder of the race for the satisfying victory. Marino settled for second, and point leader Andrew Peckham passed Hunter Merritt on the final lap for third. Mike Merritt round out the Top 5 ahead of Ficklin, Austin Manzella, Jimmy Lipke, Clinton Earl and Austin Williams. The two eight lap heat race victories were earned by Marino and Cooper.

Matt Micheli scored the victory in the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event. Point leader Corey Hall set the early pace ahead of Devon Koranda, who was subbing in the Clinton Earl car. A lap 11 caution flag flew for Koranda in Turn 4. Hall made a pit stop, putting Micheli into the lead. Micheli led Richard Workman on the restart, and they ran 1-2 to the checkered flag. Leif Berglund finished third, followed by Koranda, Hall, Fritz Zanker and Gary Newman. Kuranda won the eight lap heat race.

Casey McClain picked up the win in the 15 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Only three drivers managed to stay on the lead lap as McLain won, not too far ahead of Brett Youngman. Brian Grossenheider was a solid third. Point leader Tony Richards settled for fourth ahead of Braeden Enos, Rick Gutzke, Trey Walters, Justin Funkhouser and Kelly Hicks. Championship hopeful Ron LaPlant was a Main Event scratch. Six lap heat races were won by Richards and McLain.

Racing takes a one week break before coming back on June 29th with a show headlined by the Winged 360 Sprint Cars. Also on the card will be the Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Street Stocks. For further information, go to www.silverdollarspeedway.com.