Timmy Post Memorial Race Will Go On As Scheduled At Merced S

Merced, CA...Just a week after the tragic news of the passing of third-year promoter Ed Parker, Merced Speedway announced that the Timmy Post Memorial race will go one as scheduled this Saturday night. During the week following the big Dwarf Car Nationals event, Parker suffered a heart attack. Though the community is still in mourning, it was decided that the races should go on as scheduled. It's exactly what Parker would have wanted.

Ed brought enthusiasm and a love for the sport with him in what he did at Merced Speedway. Whether it was the way he communicated and kept his racers informed, the big events that he promoted or the fact that he was frequently going live on another site with updates for the fans, Parker was already earning a reputation as one of the top short track racing promoters on the West Coast.

Special races are nothing new to the speedway. During Parker's run as promoter, there were a few special events added to the schedule to honor people who have helped make the speedway such a special place during its nearly 70 year run. This Saturday night will also be a special occasion.

The Timmy Post Memorial Race has always been something special for Merced Speedway racers and the people who knew him. Timmy grew up at the speedway and did various jobs until he died in a tragic auto accident on graduation night 1999. He was the son of longtime scorekeeper Kimberly Barcellos and grandson of long time promoters Chuck and Mary Lee Griffin. The race takes on even more poignant meaning as Chuck Griffin passed away during the past year.

One of the trademark races that Griffin promoted during his time running the speedway was the free admittance Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Generally, that event has been one of the biggest attended races at the speedway, and Griffin rounded up sponsorship to give it to the fans for free. The Timmy Post Memorial Race was created with the thought of making sure the racers who were supportive of the Speedway benefited with some extra purse money.

On Saturday night, both concepts will be combined as the fans get to watch this race for free and get the added bonus of a Fireworks Display. Featured divisions include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and the California Sharp Mini Late Models. The event is being presented by Marjorie Mejia.

The IMCA Modified division has had three time champion Paul Stone visit the Winner's Circle two times so far, but the more consistent Darrell Hughes II leads the standings after five events. As the only driver with four Top 5 finishes, Hughes leads Brian Pearce by two points and Stone by three in a very close battle.

One-time winner and multi division champion Ramie Stone is still within striking distance, 22 points out of the lead and seven behind Jeff Streeter in the battle for fourth. All five of these drivers figure to be at the head of the pack in the battle for victory this week. Other drivers to watch for include Ryan Porter, Derek Nance, Troy Stone, Ricky Thatcher and current IMCA State point leader Shane DeVolder.

Consistency has also enabled Jeremy Hoff to lead the way in the IMCA Sport Modified championship race. We are five races into the season, and the past Antioch Speedway champion is still looking for his first win. He has 3 Top 5 finishes, putting him two points ahead of Danny Roe and five in front of Chris Falkenberg. All three drivers are still winless and hoping to get a victory in this big race.

The next three drivers in close contention are all feature winners this year. Two-time Hobby Stock champion Bruce Nelson has one win to put him six points out of the lead, while rising young star Tanner Thomas has two wins and is only eight points out. During the break, Tanner went to Antioch Speedway and picked up a victory there. His brother Chase Thomas is a one-time winner so far this year to put him 16 points out of the lead. Another Top 10 competitor, Tim Elias, recently won the Bo Hittson Memorial Race in Yreka, California. This division is so competitive that you never know who might win from week to week.

Despite failing to make the Top 5 for only the first time in seven races, Shannon Nelsen still clings to a slim five point lead over reigning champion Kodie Dean. Dean scored his fourth win of the season last time out and is putting the pressure on Nelson. Kristie Shearer also turned in a solid run last time and remains within 30 points of the lead. Robby Loquaci and Watsonville champion Robert Gallaher are other winners so far this year, and Austin Van Hoff, James Stockton, Mike Germait and 2016 champion Michael Shearer are just a few of the drivers looking to get their first wins of the season this week.

The California Sharp Mini Late Model race continues to be a close battle between Tim Crews, Riley Jeppesen and Carson Guthrie. About 10 points separate Crews from third place Guthrie, and Guthrie is the only one of the three without a win so far. Last time out, Jesse James Burks picked up his third win of the season, but he is still trying to make up ground after failing to start the season opening feature. Ian Shearer had his best finish of the year in third last time out as he is looking for his first career win.

Saturday night is a special night. The community mourns the loss of Promoter Ed Parker while they remember Timmy Post. The admission is free, the racing will be exciting and the show will end with a crowd-pleasing Fireworks Display. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.