Merced Speedway Timmy Post Memorial Preview

Back in 1999, there was a young man who grew up at Merced Speedway. He did various jobs at the track, including towing cars off the track with the blue tractor that has become known as Timmy's Tractor. The people at Merced Speedway loved him. He reached another milestone. At 17 years old, he graduated from high school. He had a future that was very bright. Then, tragedy struck as he was killed in an automobile accident on graduation night.


His name was Timmy Post. His mother and grandparents started a race soon after called The Timmy Post Memorial Race. His mother made it a 99 lap race in remembrance of the year in which he was taken away from us. At different times, the Modified and Street Stock divisions ran the race, but every division on the card raced for a little bit more when it was Timmy's night

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When Chuck and Marylee Griffin walked away from Merced Speedway at the end of the 2009 season, the race was discontinued. However, new promoter Ed Parker has been working to bring back the great traditions of Merced Speedway, and that includes this race. With the blessing of Timmy's family, the race has been brought back, and it will happen this Saturday night. There are a few other things that will make this an even more special event.


For starters, there will be a Fireworks Display that night. Traditionally, fireworks night on Fourth Of July weekend has packed the people into the Merced Speedway grandstands. This would traditionally be one of the big money making nights for the track. One of the traditions that past promoter Chuck Griffin began was a free admission on Fourth Of July weekend. This happened thanks to some good sponsorship. In the spirit of that way of thinking, Parker has made this a free admission night as well. This was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship.


We know the race will be this Saturday night. We know there will be fireworks and we know the admission is free for the fans. The other thing we know is that we will have 3 divisions on the card, including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. Lap distances have just been announced at 25 each for the Modified classes and 34 for the Hobby Stocks. The number 34 was chosen specifically by Timmy's mother because he would have been 34 years old. We do know that there are many drivers chomping at the bit to get back on the fast quarter-mile clay oval after the one week break from auto racing.


In the IMCA Modified division, Bill Egleston got off to a very good start with some strong finishes and he even had a win early on. Meanwhile, many time champion Ramie Stone sort of struggled for the first few races before he hit his stride. Stone made a big statement that his cousin Paul isn't the only front runner in the family when he won the All Star Series race that came to Merced Speedway. Don't look now, but R. Stone is only a few points behind Egleston in a close championship battle.


When you talk about drivers who could win this week, Bill and Ramie are two you have to consider. However, there are some hard chargers in this division that you need to watch, and not the least of which is past Chowchilla Speedway champion Randy Brown, who won for the second time this season the last time this division was on the card. Brown is making this a three car battle to win the championship.


There are plenty of talented racers in the field, including multi time Hobby Stock champion Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, who has several Top 5 finishes this year. Bubba has also collected two Hobby Stock Main Event wins this year, but he seems due for a win in this division. Multi time champion Paul Stone and Jeff Streeter are winners this year who could strike again. Two other drivers to watch for this week are a pair of Ryan's, Ryan Porter and Ryan Larimer. Porter picked up three Main Event wins last year and is a past Hobby Stock champion at the track. Larimer is a Sport Mod champion and is a rookie in this division.


The talent pool in Modifieds at Merced Speedway is pretty deep. There are second generation stars like 2015 runnerup Ricky Thatcher and Jarod Fast. You also have to consider Late Model veterans Chris Shannon and Derek Nance. The fact is, it should be a good show as many of the local racers have always made an effort in the past to support the Timmy Post Memorial Race.



A monkey wrench was thrown into the IMCA Sport Modified point race as 2014 champion Rick Diaz lost his ride a couple weeks ago. This left him scrambling for another car while he ordered a new one, but he made the last show and grabbed a Top 10 finish. Diaz is in the midst of a close battle with Paul's brother Steve Stone and Mike Drake for the championship. Diaz and Stone are both feature winners this year, and Drake has a second and third place finish. This championship battle looks like it could go down to the wire, and there is still plenty of racing left on the schedule.


It seems likely that these drivers will be joined in battle this week by reigning IMCA State champion Fred Ryland. Ryland it fast everywhere he goes and has won races at several tracks already this year. When you factor in drivers in the battle for wins at Merced Speedway, you have to consider veteran Gary Tucker and Chris Falkenberg. Both drivers were Main Event winners at the speedway last year. Falkenberg has a win at Watsonville this year.


A win on this particular night will be special to anybody who gets it, and other drivers will be hoping to make this their night to shine. Others to watch include Top 5 racer Tim Elias, Alex Odishoo, Dwayne Short, Mark Odgers, Tanner Thomas, Paul Espino and reigning champion Josh Hensley, who is due for a win.


When it comes to Hobby Stock Main Event win contenders at Merced Speedway, the Shearer Racing Team is present and accounted for. Whether it is point leader Michael Shearer, third ranked Kristie Shearer or two time winner Bubba Nelson, you never know when the team will strike for another win. Kristie was a three time winner last year, and she is hot on the trail of her first victory of the season.


Much like last season, however, there are several drivers who are threats to add their names to the winners list, and that list has five names on it after seven races. Those names include multi time champion Raul Rodriguez, Bubba Nelson, Ben Lewis II, Phil Vaughn and Terry Campion. Rodriguez is a two time winner this year. Still looking for his first win is reigning champion Kevin Joaquin. Could this be his night to shine?


Last season, Kodie Dean had a Main Event win, but he also had some very brutal luck. It seemed like the #7 car spent more time in the shop being repaired than running at the front of the pack. This season, Dean is in the midst of a Top 5 points season at the speedway. He could strike for a feature win this week. There is also the other #7 car of Gary Hildebrand to consider.


Another driver to keep an eye on will be second ranked Dexter Long. Long has finished as high as second in the Main Event, which is a career best for the second year racer. Other drivers to watch for this week include Austin Van Hoff, Cody Parker, Ben Lewis, Darren Miguel, John Hensley, Top 5 ranked Robby Loquaci and the always exciting George Silva.


As if IMCA Modified, IMCA Sport Modified and Hobby Stock racing isn't enough to get the attention of the Merced Speedway fans, the Timmy Post Memorial race will include a free admission and also a fireworks show. It's sure to be a great night! For further information, check out www.racemerced.com.