Villanueva, Diaz, Corder Victorious At Merced Speedway



Merced, CA...July 23...Four divisions of racing competed at Merced Speedway as the track gets ready to take a two week summer break.  However, Saturday night was time for racing, and Mike Villanueva scored the win in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event.  Point leader Rick Diaz made his last start in a borrowed car a winning effort in the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified feature.  Chris Corder won another 20 lap Mini Stock feature, and Carson Guthrie won the ten lap Box Stock Kart Main Event. At press time


The IMCA Modifieds ran two nine lap heat races with Karl Rose winning the first one ahead of Troy Stone and rookie Ryan Larimer winning the second heat ahead of title contender Bill Egleston.  Coming off of his third place finish a week earlier, past Hanford champion Mike Villanueva knew he was a contender for Main Event glory, but to get the win, he would have to do battle with incoming point leader Randy Brown.  Villanueva was up to the challenge and he ran a smooth race and picked up his first win of the season.  Brown drove to a solid second ahead of a career best third for Larimer.  Josh Combs has been visiting several tracks this year, and his Merced visit netted him a fourth place finish.  Ramie Stone rebounded from his DNF of a week ago to finish fifth ahead of rookie leader Bruce "Bubba" Nelson, Dereck Colvin, Ricky Thatcher, Antioch Speedway point leader Carl Berendsen II and Jarod Fast.


It was business as usual for incoming point leader Rick Diaz in the IMCA Sport Modified division  Diaz won his heat race ahead of Patti Ryland.  When reigning State champion Fred Ryland won his heat race ahead of Steve Stone, it set up a showdown between Diaz and F. Ryland.  Gary Tucker was the other heat winner ahead of Mike Drake.  The star for several laps of the Main Event was second generation racer Chase Thomas.  Thomas led the way as Diaz and Ryland worked their way into second and third.  The two veterans got past Thomas, who still managed to cross the line in third at the checkered flag.  Diaz beat Ryland back to the line for his fourth victory.  This is Diaz's final start in a borrowed car as he intends to have his new ride ready for the next race.  C. Thomas was a career best third ahead of Bakersfield visitor Jordan Hagar and P. Ryland.  Drake would end up with a sixth place finish as Tim Elias, Tucker, Chris Falkeberg and Tanner Thomas made up the remainder of the Top 10.


Chris Corder continues to be the star of the Mini Stocks as he won the heat race ahead of Paul Laoretti and followed it up with another great drive for his fifth feature win of the season.  The night featured hard crashes that ended the race for both rookie leader Destiny Carter and Lucy Falkenberg.  Meanwhile, Tony Peffer enjoyed his best finish as he brought his truck home in second in front of Jennifer Corder, Laoretti, Falkenberg, previous winner Curtis Thronhill and Carter.


The Box Stock division brought six Karts to do battle on the smaller track in the infield.  Atwater point leader Aiden  Larimer led the way for several laps before being slowed just a bit in traffic.  This allowed Carson Guthrie to race by for the victory.  Larimer settled for second ahead of Kennzziie Brown.  Second ranked Atwater competitor Lela Shearer finished fourth.


After a two week hiatus, the track runs one of its signature events.  It will be Legend's Night, featuring IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Valley Sportsman cars and a visit from some of the greats of the past.  For further information, check out www.racemerced.com.