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CHICO, CA (9-6-07) - Chico, California’s own Jonathan
Allard put it all together Thursday night and led all 30 laps en route
to victory during opening night of the 54th annual Gold Cup Race of
Champions at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway. The victory was Allard’s
first ever in a World of Outlaws Sprint Series sanctioned event and came
aboard the GT Trends, K & N Filters, Morrie Williams owned No. 0.
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| FINISH |
DRIVER |
START |
| 1. |
Jonathan Allard |
(1) |
| 2. |
Sammy Swindell |
(6) |
| 3. |
Brad Sweet |
(2) |
| 4. |
Jac Haudenschild |
(4) |
| 5. |
Craig Dollansky |
(9) |
| 6. |
Jason Solwold |
(3) |
| 7. |
Donny Schatz |
(5) |
| 8. |
Greg DeCaires |
(14) |
| 9. |
Colby Wiesz |
(15) |
| 10. |
Mike Henry |
(13) |
| Complete Results
| Qualifying |
|
 |
 |
| RANK |
DRIVER |
POINTS |
| 1. |
Joey Saldana |
538 |
| 2. |
Jonathan Allard |
538 |
| 3. |
Brad Sweet |
537 |
| 4. |
Sammy Swindell |
536 |
| 5. |
Steve Kinser |
535 |
| 6. |
Brooke Tatnell |
527 |
| 7. |
Tim Shaffer |
524 |
| 8. |
Jac Haudenschild |
522 |
| 9. |
Craig Dollansky |
516 |
| 10. |
Sam Hafertepe Jr. |
513 |
| Complete
Lineups/Points |
|
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Allard started from the pole by way of his win in the eight lap Crane
Cams Dash. Various caution periods helped keep Allard out of traffic and
the 31 year-old Chico native drove a near flawless 30 laps during main
event. Allard had to deal with multiple restarts, however, but he hit
his marks each and every time as his Ashley Smith prepared Maxim was
locked down to the bottom of the raceway. The victory was Allard’s
eighth of the season at Silver Dollar Speedway, but by far his biggest
of the year and gives him high points for opening night.
Behind Allard making a late charge was Germantown, TN’s Sammy
Swindell in the Rod Fauver owned No. 64. The three-time Outlaw champ
started sixth in his first night of action at the Gold Cup since 2003,
but looked very sharp charging forward to a strong finish. Swindell
hasn’t ran much lately but showed that he’s as sharp as ever. Grass
Valley’s Brad Sweet earned a podium finish after starting from the front
row in the GP Development No. 6. The 21 year-old qualified second
quickest earlier in the night and looked solid all evening before
capping it off with a third place finish. For Sweet’s efforts he has
earned the second most points during opening night, just one behind
Allard.
Finishing fourth in the main event was Wooster, Ohio’s Jac
Haudenschild who tried to use the high side during much of the feature.
The two-time Gold Cup champ put on a thrilling show as he always does
and had the crowd on its feet during various stages of the main event.
Rounding out the top five was Elk River, MN’s Craig Dollanksy as he put
on a charge from the ninth starting position. Dollansky was able to
maneuver around cars as good as anybody during the feature. Completing
the top 10 was Mount Vernon, Wash’s Jason Solwold, Fargo, ND’s Donny
Schatz, Elk Grove, CA’s Greg Decaires, Colfax, CA’s Colby Wiesz and
Sacramento, CA’s Mike Henry. Great runs were had for locals Decaires who
started 17th and Wiesz who started 18th respectfully.
The 12 lap B-main was won by Placerville’s Andy Gregg and Allard won
the eight lap dash. Four 10 lap heat races were held and were picked off
by Jac Haudenschild, Craig Dollansky, Jonathan Allard and Jason Solwold.
Jason Sides paced the field in qualifying by turning a lap of 11.774
around the Silver Dollar Speedway ¼ mile clay oval.
A whole new crop of drivers will qualify tomorrow night at Silver
Dollar Speedway, all looking to gain the most points towards Saturday’s
starting line-ups at the 54th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. For
more news and results from the Gold Cup visit
www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com

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