Ventura Raceway
September 14, 2013
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Gardner still the man in VRA Midgets

by Cliff Morgan
OXNARD, CA - Saturday night September 14, at Ventura Raceway was another night of exciting racing. Once again, despite a smaller than normal car count, the racing was top notch in six adult classes and three kids classes.

VRA Midget action headlined the night with seven midgets signed in to compete. Point leader Ronnie Gardner made it clear that he was again at the top of his game by winning heat one and then going on to take the 30 lap feature over Josh Lakatos, Randi Pankratz, Kyle Smith, and Adam Barth. Randi Pankratz led the first two circuits before Jake Swanson passed her. He led until lap twelve when Gardner took the lead and led to the flag. Gardner leads Jake Swanson by 130 points after nine races in the season point race.

VRA Hobby Stocks were back in action and another new winner was on the podium for the third race in a row. Saturday night was Ernie Malone's turn to get the win taking the 20 lap feature over point leader Scott Dinger, David Heurung, Gary Curtis and Mike Stanford. Heurung and Curtis took heat race wins Saturday night. Scott Dinger continues to lead in the season long point race by 270 points over David Heurung after twelve races.

VRA Focus Midgets raced Saturday with point leader Brennan Rogers taking the 20 lap feature win over Wally Pankratz., Dakota Dickerson and Darin McCart. Rogers also took their one heat race win. He leads Pankratz by 100 points after 9 races in 2013.

VRA Mod Lite racing saw point leader Ricky Lewis take the win in the heat race and 20 laps feature over a six car field. Following Lewis to the line were George Calvo, Mike Gilmore, and Kris Kornder. After eight races Lewis leads Dave Dotson by 85 points.

In Go Kart action the 20 lap feature went to Kenny Byers Jr over Mike Evans, Justin Raper, Steven Ito and season point leader Matt Jones. Jones won the single heat race run.

Four VRA Open Quads ran in one heat race won by point leader David Knight and Knight also captured the 15 lap Main Event. In the feature he was followed to the checkered flag by Kyle Eurto, Mike Lewis and Carson Puryear.

Three VRA Quad Sportsman racers ran one heat race, won by Justyn Smith and the 12 lap main event won by Robert Peterson. Peterson was followed by Smith and Jason Young.

In kids action, J D Brown took another heat race and feature win over Will Mimms and Sandy Brown in Supercharger competition. In Pistons Class racing, Garrett Egan took the win over Blake Hendricks, Dylan Neal and Garrett Egan. Garrett Egan took their heat race win. In Junior Midgets, Mike Long took his first ever win in their 15 lap feature over Nick Velasquez. Long took the heat race win as well.

Racing continues in the 2013 season next Saturday September 21 with a full program of racing featuring VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, IIMCA Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.


VRA Midgets

Race #9 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Ronnie Gardner, Norco, Ca, 30 Laps; 2. Josh Lakatos, Pasadena, 30 Laps; 3. Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, 30 Laps; 4. Kyle Smith, Moorpark, 30 Laps; 5. Adam Barth, Indiana, 30 Laps; 6. Luke Boles, Goleta, 29 Laps; 7. Jake Swanson, Anaheim, 12 Laps

Lap Leaders: Randi Pankratz (1-2), Jake Swanson (3-11), Ronnie Gardner (12-30)

Heat Race Winners: Super Shox Heat 1: Ronnie Gardner

Keizer ALuminum Wheels High Point Award: Ronnie Gardner

K&N Engineering Hard Charger Award: Ronnie Gardner

DJ Safety Hard Luck Award: Jake Swanson

Top 10 in points: 1. Ronnie Gardner, 2000; 2. Jake Swanson, 1870; 3. Randi Pankratz, 1625; 4. Kyle Smith, 1560; 5. Rick Hendrix, 1345; 6. Bruce Douglass, 1245; 7. Cody Swanson, 1225; 8. Kyle Edwards, 950; 9. David Prickett, 790; 10. Cory Kruseman, 515


VRA Hobby Stocks

Race #12 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Ernie Malone, Ojai, 20 Laps; 2. Scott Dinger, Simi Valley, 20 Laps; 3. David Heurung, 20 Laps; 4. Gary Curtis, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 5. Mike Stanford, 20 Laps; 6. Cameron Dougan, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 7. Tom Stephens Jr, Ventura, 19 Laps; 8. James Brown, Oxnard, 18 Laps; 9. Sam Garvin, Oxnard, 11 Laps; 10. Randal Dougan, Camarillo, 0 Laps

Lap Leaders: Scott Dinger (1-11), Ernie Malone (12-20)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: David Heurung; Heat 2: Gary Curtis

Top 10 in points: 1. Scott Dinger, 2805; 2. David Heurung, 2535; 3. Ernie Malone, 2405; 4. Gary Curtis, 2350; 5. Tom Stephens Jr, 2155; 6. Sam Garvin, 1315; 7. James Brown, 1150; 8. Mike Stanford, 940; 9. Randal Dougan, 720; 10. Cameron Dougan, 660


Mod Lite

Race #8 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Ricky Lewis, Oxnard, 20 Laps; 2. George Calvo, Agua Dulce, 20 Laps; 3. Mike Gilmore, Woodland Hills, 20 Laps; 4. Kris Kornder, 19 Laps; 5. Dave Dotson, Thousand Oaks, 1 Lap; 6. Kim Lewis, Woodland Hills, 1 Lap

Lap Leaders: George Calvo (1-12), Ricky Lewis (13-20)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Ricky Lewis

Top 10 in points: 1. Ricky Lewis, 1890; 2. Dave Dotson, 1805; 3. Jeffrey Fry, 1505; 4. Kim Lewis, 1270; 5. Kris Kornder, 990; 6. Mike Gilmore, 795; 7. Cody Majors, 255; 8. George Calvo, 250; 9. Mike Kornder, 215; 10. Kris Kurisaki, 175


Ford Focus

Race #9 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Brennan Rogers, Camarillo, 20 Laps; 2. Wally Pankratz, Orange, 20 Laps; 3. Dakota Dickerson, 20 Laps; 4. Darin McCart, 3 Laps

Lap Leaders: Brennan Rogers (1-20)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Brennan Rogers

Top 10 in points: 1. Brennan Rogers, 2110; 2. Wally Pankratz, 2010; 3. Ashley Hazelton, 715; 4. Courtney Crone, 625; 5. Christine Breckenridge, 405; 6. Austin Blair, 215; 7. Dakota Dickerson, 210; 7. Steve Brown, 210; 9. Clayton Ruston, 195; 10. Robert Sumpter, 185


Go-Karts

Race #9 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Kenny Byers Jr, Ventura, 20 Laps; 2. Mike Evans, 20 Laps; 3. Justin Raper, Paso Robles, 20 Laps; 4. Steven Ito, Ventura, 20 Laps; 5. Matt Jones, 20 Laps; 6. Tyler Stover, Manhattan Beach, 20 Laps; 7. Dylan Ito, Newberry Park, 17 Laps; 8. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, 16 Laps

Lap Leaders: Cody Nigh (1-13), Kenny Byers Jr (14-20)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Matt Jones

Top 10 in points: 1. Matt Jones, 2145; 2. Kenny Byers Jr, 1990; 3. Justin Raper, 1840; 4. Dylan Ito, 1660; 5. Steven Ito, 1075; 6. Cody Nigh, 815; 7. Douglas Lebow, 785; 8. Connor Lovingfoss, 730; 9. Tyler Stover, 705; 10. Brenden McCarthy, 530; 10. Kenji Ito, 530


VRA Quads Open

Race #9 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Dave Knight, 15 Laps; 2. Kyle Eurto, 15 Laps; 3. Mike Lewis, Sunland, 15 Laps; 4. Carson Puryear, Bakersfield, 15 Laps

Lap Leaders: Dave Knight (1-15)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Dave Knight

Top 10 in points: 1. Dave Knight, 1990; 2. Kyle Eurto, 1835; 3. Mike Lewis, 1785; 4. Danny Elderbaum, 1635; 5. Raygen Harris, 1035; 6. Carson Puryear, 410; 7. Mike Zarda, 210; 8. Richard Ramirez, 200; 9. Matt Williams, 180; 10. Ronnie Talley, 0; 10. Andrew Rogers, 0; 10. Michael Zavala, 0; 10. Heather Menefee, 0; 10. DJ Noerr, 0; 10. Tim Batista, 0; 10. Joey Diaz, 0; 10. Chad Efird, 0; 10. Jimmy Norris, 0; 10. Aaron Darli, 0


VRA Quads Sportsman

Race #9 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Robert Peterson, 15 Laps; 2. Justin Smith, 15 Laps; 3. Jason Young, 6 Laps

Lap Leaders: Robert Peterson (1-15)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Justin Smith

Top 10 in points: 1. Robert Peterson, 2235; 2. Justin Smith, 1920; 3. James Bell, 875; 4. Carson Puryear, 725; 5. John Nickel Jr, 395; 6. Troy Slayton, 195; 6. George Penrod, 195; 8. Gordie Carlos, 0; 8. Robert Rodarte, 0; 8. Ryan Bernardi, 0; 8. Mike Pauley, 0; 8. Clay Nixon, 0; 8. Joey Diaz, 0; 8. Brad Tyach, 0; 8. Cody Davis, 0; 8. Shea Diaz, 0; 8. Dan Olivera, 0; 8. Jason Young, 0; 8. Richard Ramirez, 0


VRA Junior Midgets

Race #8 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Mike Long, Thousand Oaks, 15 Laps; 2. Nick Velasquez, Camarillo, 15 Laps Lap Leaders: Mike Long (1-15)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Mike Long

Top 10 in points: 1. Nick Velasquez, 1775; 2. Mike Long, 1455; 3. Jake Aguilar, 235


VRA Mini Dwarf - Superchargers

Race #8 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. J D Brown, Port Hueneme, 12 Laps; 2. Will Mimms, 12 Laps; 3. Sandy Brown, 12 Laps

Lap Leaders: J D Brown (1-12)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: J D Brown

Top 10 in points: 1. J D Brown, 2055; 2. Will Mimms, 1560; 3. Andrew Orlando, 495; 4. Bailey Hendricks, 465; 5. Sandy Brown, 215; 6. Eli Marshall, 0; 6. Isaac Marshall, 0


VRA Mini Dwarf - Pistons

Race #8 09/14/2013

Main Event Results: 1. Garrett Egan, Saugus, 12 Laps; 2. Blake Hendricks, Simi Valley, 12 Laps; 3. Dylan Neal, Oxnard, 11 Laps; 4. Zack Chavez, Santa Paula, 11 Laps; 5. Brandon Velasquez, 10 Laps

Lap Leaders: Garrett Egan (1-12)

Heat Race Winners: Heat 1: Garrett Egan