4/20/2013 Race Recap

There was a chill in the air when we dropped the first green flag for the heat races at 8PM. The track was wide and fast from the start.

At intermission TNT Motorsports sponsored a Dash for Cash in the IMCA Modified division. The top 3 from each heat were eligible. In the starting grid was the 111 of Danny Bradford, the 20 of Robbie Chiles, Zach Hamilton in the 14, Allen Bradley shoeing the 26, Mark Rodgers piloting the 07, and Tyrone Yazzie in the 5. After a hard fought 8 laps Robbie Chile was victorious. Mike Tenski presented Robbie with $170.00 in cash on the front straight.

We had no takers in the Pit Row Challenge for the Stock Car class, maybe next time.

The mains events went off with minimal yellows and good side by side racing.

The Sport Compact class crowned a new winner with Brett Eggleston driving the number 11 entry, he finished first ahead of last events winner Tom Dutton.

The Hobby Stock class had a repeat winner with the 13 car of Randy Dorsett being the victor. David Phillips in the 93 was second with Jesse Rowe in the 77 entry came across in third and rookie Lucas Klemm directing the 6 car rounded out the top 4.

On to the Stock Car class where the fans saw Frankie Hendershot in the L&R Oilfield #5 entry fight his way to a first place finish. There was side by side racing between the 5 car and Richard Trujillo’s 82 machine for several laps, which allowed Shane Devilbiss in his 43 entry and the 59 driven by Travis Southerland to join them for a four way battle. At the end it was Frankie taking the win, Richard in second, Shane in third and Travis in the fourth position.

The Southern Sportsmods showed a repeat winner with Julie Boettler in the 97 car. Though she got the trophy this week’s race was far from easy, Julie had to catch and pass Juanita Faddis in the 31 entry to do it. Juanita led for nearly half of the race until one small mistake allowed Julie to get under her for the lead. Behind Julie was the Mopar driven by Joey Klemish and it took him several laps to drive around the 31 as well. At the checkered we saw Julie in First, Joey in second and Juanita in the third position.

The Modified main event saw the heavy hitters from the ‘Dash for Cash” battling again. At the start Danny Bradford in the 101 took a sizeable lead over the entire field but a yellow flag for a dislodged muffler on the track bunched the field back together. When the green flew again there was a battle for the number 1 position between Bradford and Rodgers. The 07 driven by Mark Rodgers took possession of the lead and ended up as the winner with Bradford in second, and Allen Bradley took third in the 26 car.

Next week we will have the Quarter Midgets and Flat Karts battle it out for the top spot. This should be a good time for all. Come and watch. Grandstand seating is free.

Cub Scouts Racing

On the weekend of 4/13 Aztec Speedway was invited to display some cars at the Cub Scouts District Pinewood Derby event at McGee Park. Wow did this bring back memories.

All the levels of the Cub Scouts were represented by numerous competitors. Their race cars resembled the Pinewood Derby cars of old but ran the gamut on paint schemes and colors. Now the track was far from old school. Today’s track is high tech. A solid aluminum track with a computer monitoring the start, finishes, and will also calculate scale miles per hour.

At the end of the event the winners were as follows:

Wolf Winner

David Cloer, a 9 year old resident of Bloomfield NM represented Pack 324. David and his dad, Russell Cloer built the fast entry.

Tiger Winner

Isaiah Salazar was the winner in this class. Isaiah hails from Bloomfield NM and also represented Pack 324. This 6 year old worked with his crew chief, Roger Mullins, and dad, Elario Salazar to get the car race ready.

Bear Winner

Darien Palmer was victorious in this division. This young man represented Pack 341 from Farmington NM and with the help of his father, Jonathan Palmer, they were able to battle their way to victory.

Webelos Winner

Hyrum Harris was crowned king in this division. Hyrum calls Farmington NM home and is one of Pack 161 members. His crew chief for this race was his dad, Lee Harris.

Open Winner

This is a “run what you brung” division. This class is for all adults and youngsters that aren’t in a pack that want to race and have fun.

The winner in this division was 7 year old Skyler Smith from Farmington NM. His entry was put to the test against adult builders as well as other youngsters and came out on top. He did say he had some help from his dad, Josh Smith.

Congratulations to all that participated in the areas Pinewood Derby’s. Hope to see more out next year.

The green flag dropped at 8 PM on 4/6 to start the 2013 race season at Aztec Speedway.

A special thanks to the ACE Services crew that helped convert the track from its winter dormant state to a racing surface.

All the racing was good and we had very few yellow flags which allowed us to throw the last checked flag of the night at 10:30 PM.

The Main events were exciting to watch as cars moved around changing race lines and positions.

In the Sport Compact class Tom Dutton driving the 65 car was victorious. Tom changed classes from a Mini Stock to the Sport Compact this season and continues to find his way to the winners circle.

Randy Dorsett, number 13, showed the Hobby Stocks the fastest way to the checkered after passing his dad who led for several laps. Randy is back to his winning ways.

Julie Beouttler, number 97, took the win in the IMCA Southern Sportmod division. She led the entire race without being challenged. The race for second was the one to watch as Brian Carey in the 55, Tony Hill driving the 007, Pat Bateman in the 12, and Joey Klemish shoeing the 22, diced it up lap after lap side by side. At the finish it was Tony in the second, Brian in third, Klemish taking the fourth position, and Bateman rounded out the top five.

Rex Higgins, wheeling the AK47, once again conquered the fiercely competitive IMCA Stock Car division. The entire race was a battle between Rex and Richard Trijillo in the 82 car, Shane Devilibess driving the 43 entry and Frankie Hendershot in the 5. Frankie pulled off on the last lap leaving the other three to battle it out. Shane finished second and Richard took the third spot.

In the IMCA Modified class the winning driver was Kenny Hendershot in the L&R number 7. Kenny took posishion of the lead when Aaron Spangler had mechanical issues. The last two laps were intense as Regan Tafoya, in the 24 car, and Zane Devilbiss, piloting the 18, tried everything to get around the L&R entry but came up a little short. Ragan crossed the line in second followed by Divelbiss.

Our next event is on April 20^th

The IMCA and Sport Compact classes back at it. We will be having the first of the Pit Row Challenges featuring the IMCA Stock Cars at intermission. Fastest pit stop receives $100. Start time is 8 PM.

See ya here .

First Race Day, Saturday March 30, 2013

As the sun rose over the east bleachers on Saturday no one could have asked for a more beautiful day to start off the 2013 race season at Aztec Speedway.

We had cars displayed at the Zebra’s car show at the Farmington Airport and events scheduled at the track.

At the track the children were lined up and ready to hunt down the Easter eggs hidden for them. It is something to watch the youthful energy being displayed while they hunt for sugar. At the conclusion of the hunt two tickets were drawn to award the large Easter baskets to the lucky hunters.

Then the attention turned to the next event, the Quarter Midget and Go Kart race. The track needed to be packed so all participants mounted up and slung the mud until it was race ready. There were four classes represented. the Quarter Midget Novice, Quarter Midget Lite, Quarter  Midget Heavy (160) and the new class of Go Karts the  IKF Flat Kart powered by the Predator engine. After two heat races and the main events the winners were crowned.

• In the Quarter Midget Novice class the winner was Monique Shim, and yes this girl can drive.
• The Quarter Midget in the Lite class driven by Andrew Klokke proved the quickest to the final checkered flag.
• Ryan Heath was victorious in the Quarter Midget Heavy (160) class.
• The winner in the IKF Flat Kart Predator class after a 25 lap main was Chad Tenski.
• Gabriel Shim was a winner as being the youngest Flat Kart driver.

Congratulations to all competitors and we hope everyone had fun.

With the first Quarter Midget/Kart race in the books and some slight track prep we sent the big boys, and girls, out to test the cars on the big track. There was a multitude of drivers and cars taking advantage of this test secession. There were USRA Modifieds, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Southern Sportsmods and the new Sport Compact class. The entire test event went off without any bent parts. Looks like we have a batch of drivers that can handle the cars and speed this season.

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Winners of 2012 Season

• August 4, 2012 – The NMMRA Non Wing Sprints Headlined The Races At Aztec Speedway
• July 21, 2012 – July 21st Winners
• July 6-7, 2012 – Sprint Car Crash Fest At Aztec Speedway
• June 30, 2012 – Same Track-Same Hendershot Brothers-Same Finish-Different Day
• June 23, 2012 – The Hendershot Brothers Ruled The Dirt at Aztec
• June 9, 2012 – Night Two of the “BIG WEEKEND OF RACING”
• June 8, 2012 – Night One of the “BIG WEEKEND OF RACING”
• May 27, 2012 – Night two of The 5th Annual Ryan Bard Memorial
• May 26, 2012 – Jeff Jennings Wins Night one of The 5th Annual Ryan Bard Memorial
• May 19, 2012 – Harpole and Higgins domination ends at Aztec Speedway
• May 5, 2012  – Harpole and Higgins win again at Aztec Speedway
• April 29, 2012 – First race of the season, and the winners are…

IMCA Sport

1st: Joshua Hodges
2nd: Bo Baker
3rd: Scott Box
4th: Jessie Baker
5th: Ronnie Smith

IMCA Modified

1st: Regan Tafoya
2nd: Porter Smith
3rd: Zane Devilbiss
4th: Danny Bradford
5th: Kevin Faddis

IMCA Southern Sport Mods

1st: Dakota Kibel
2nd: Brandon Tenski
3rd: Zach Hamilton
4th: Shane Simonton
5th: Julie Boettler

IMCA Stock

1st: Lee Moss
2nd: Rex Higgins
3rd: Kenny Hendershot
4th: Travis Southerlin
5th: Danny Stevenson

IMCA Stock

1st: Shane Devilbliss
2nd: Allen Bradley
3rd: Rex Higgins
4th: Larry Bradley
5th: Steffan Carey

IMCA Modified

1st: Aaron Spangler
2nd: Porter Smith
3rd: Regan Tafoya
4th: JJ Harpole
5th: Matthew Higgins

IMCA Sport Mod

1st: Zach Rouse
2nd: Zach Hamilton
3rd: Jordan Eddleman
4th: Anthony “Ace” Everson
5th: Brandon Tenski

Hobby Stock

1st: Dennis Spencer
2nd: Randy Dorsett
3rd: Kevin Southerlin
4th: Jeremy Bradley
5th: RaNai Toler

Mini Stock

1st: Breezy Hopper
2nd: Amanda Hamilton
3rd: Ross Whipple
4th: Jeannie Hensley

Aaron Spangler wins another IMCA modified feature at Aztec Speedway, May 7, 2011

Aaron Spangler eased his #16 IMCA modified in front of JJ Harpole midway in a 25 lap feature at Aztec Speedway. Regan Tafoya gave chase for a few laps in his Rimco Special #24 but relinquished 2nd to a hard charging Porter Smith. Smith moved the Smith Ranch #7 between Toafoya and Harpole and then set his sights on Spangler. Smith tried to take the win but had to settle for 2nd as Aaron Spangler would not be denied his first feature win of 2011 at Aztec. Tafoya was a close 3rd with Harpole 4th and Matt Higgins 5th. Jason Keeler put his #73 in front early but was shuffled back to 6th at the end. During a restart after a caution, Bill Dowdy was clipped by another car and sent up the track in turn one. He carried the #110 of Tyrone Yazzie with him to the wall. Both drivers were ok but Yazzie’s car appeared to be a total loss. Dowdy also had some heavy damage. Aaron Spangler just keeps adding wins to the IMCA modified record book. He is well over 100 career wins. In a side note: Camron Spangler, Aaron’s son, won his quarter midget feature earlier in the evening.

In the IMCA sport modified feature, 20 cars were set to take the green but two cars failed to make the call. Eighteen took the green with Ryan Henley leading for a couple until Jordan Eddleman took over till lap nine. Julie Boettler put her #97 in front followed by Zach Rouse. These two traded the lead three different times in the next six laps. On lap 15, Rouse finally pulled in front as Boettler slipped in turn two. Zach Hamilton followed Rouse for 2nd spot. They ran this way till the white flag came out with Boettler spinning out going into turn one. The yellow and checker waved giving the win to Zach Rouse. Zach Hamilton had to settle for 2nd, Jordan Eddleman 3rd, Anthony “Ace” Eaverson 4th and Brandon Tenski 5th.

The IMCA stock car 25 lap feature had 19 cars set to go. Danny Stevenson could not get his car going and was a DNS. Eighteen cars did take the green and ran three and four wide for 19 laps with Shane Devilbiss leading the way until the yellow flag flew for a three car get together of turn two. The last six laps saw Devilbiss hanging on for a three car photo finish. In second by .021 seconds was Allen Bradley and 3rd was Rex Higgins by a wee bit more than that. Fourth went to Larry Bradley and a strong 5th was Steffan Carey. Carey started this race in last place. Shane Devilbiss takes his first win this year in the black #43.

The hobby stock feature saw five different leaders before Dennis Spencer put his #07 in front to stay. Randy Dorsett was 2nd with Kevin Southerlin next followed by Jeremy Bradley and RaNai Toler.

The mini stocks fielded only four cars tonight. Breezy Hopper took the win over Amanda Hamilton, Ross Whipple and Jeannie Henley. Jeannie popped a radiator and spun.

The first powder puff race was held this year with eight ladies taking a stock car around the track for 10 laps. Maygen Carey drove her husband’s #3 to an easy win as she lapped all but the 2nd place car. We may have found a relief driver for Steffan. In second was Becky Higgins driving her husband’s #47. Third went to Caley Lapaire in Michael Higgin’s #27. All clean racing with no spins, crashes or close calls.

Aztec Speedway will take next weekend off but will return to racing on May 21st featuring the NMMRA non wing sprint cars.