Weir scores controversial win at Merced Speedway

Merced, CA...July 21...Chuck Weir picked up his first 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event win of the season Saturday night at Merced Speedway. It all came down to a controversial final lap. Cody Parker set the early pace with Weir running second. A low pass in the second turn of the ninth lap gained Weir the lead. Chris Falkenberg had already settled into third and began reeling in the lead two cars. An inside pass in Turn 3 of the tenth lap put Falkenberg into second, and the battle was on for the lead. For the next 14 laps, Weir was protecting the bottom groove and holding the lead. When Weir left the door open just a bit entering the final turn, Falkenberg raced underneath. There was contact between the two cars, Weir got sideways and Falkenberg sped to the checkered flag as the apparent winner. Weir crossed the line in second. Track officials deemed Falkenberg's pass to be just a bit too aggressive and disqualified him from the finish, giving Weir the victory. Bruce Nelson had charged from the seventh row to make a late pass on Parker for what became a second place finish. Parker settled for third, followed by Jeremy Hoff, Chase Thomas, Danny Roe, Kelly Wilkinson, Tanner Thomas, Mark Odgers and Nick Tucker. Tanner Thomas, Jarrod Mounce and Hoff picked up eight lap heat race wins.

In contrast to the Sport Modifieds, Ryan Porter won a drama free 30 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. After the race had a complete restart, it was destined to go non-stop to the checkered flag. Porter raced past Jarod Fast for the lead on lap two with Jeff Streeter settling in the second. Multi time champion Paul Stone moved into third on lap 10. As Porter pulled away just a little bit, Stone battled Streeter for second. Porter took the checkered flag about a straightaway ahead of Streeter and Stone for his first win of the season. Point leader Darrell Hughes II finished fourth, followed by Justin Villanueva, Brian Pearce, Ramie Stone, DJ Shannon, Fast and Tim Cecil. Ramie Stone, Hughes and Shannon were the eight lap heat race winners.

Point leader Kodie Dean picked up his seventh 30 Hobby Stock Main Event win. Dean took the lead from Kalob Shelton on a lap four restart and never looked back. Shelton held the second spot until an inside pass and Turn 1 of the 14th lap gained last starter Austin Van Hoff the position. Van Hoff briefly moved up and ran a couple of side by side laps with Dean before Dean pulled away for the win. Van Hoff settled for second, followed by Shelton, Shannon Nelsen, Marshall Weaver, Kristie Shearer, Jeff Lacy, Race Shelton and Robbie Loquaci. Weaver and Dean were the eight lap heat race winners.

Dan Myrick made his first visit to Merced Speedway and left with a 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event win. Lee Ragsdale raced into the early lead with Tyler Jackson in close pursuit. Myrick gained third on lap three and began to reel in the lead two cars. Myrick made a Turn 4 pass on Jackson for second on lap 13 and made an outside pass on the backstretch on lap 18 to take the lead from Ragsdale. Myrick went on to win, followed closely by Ragsdale, Jackson, Shawn DePriest, point leader Allen Neal, Kevin Lockerby, Jeff Durant, Bryant Desaire, Joe Terry and Devin Bolton. Myrick, DePriest and Ryan Doglione picked up their respective eight lap heat race wins.

Merced Speedway enters a two-week summer break, but racing returns with Legend's Night on August 11th. The Valley Sportsman division will take center stage along with Hobby Stocks, BCRA Midget Lites, California Sharp Mini Late Models and a special appearance by The Legends of Kearney Bowl Super Modifieds. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.