Crandall Grabs First Career Win on Fan Appreciation Night at Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA — There was plenty of excitement in the air Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the second annual Fan Appreciation Night, and fans got to see the show and all the other excitement during the evening for just $5. It was the biggest crowd for a regular race all season.

In addition to five divisions of great racing action, kids got an opportunity to win free bikes and other goodies throughout the evening. During intermission, the drivers pulled into the infield for a meet and greet with the fans. This was the track’s way of saying thank you to the fans who have been supporting it, and it was also an invitation to new fans to see what the track is all about.

The Pacific Coast Hobby Stock division had the biggest turnout of 20 competitors and offered the fans a first time winner. 2022 Most Improved driver Jewel Crandall of Antioch outran boyfriend and reigning champion Grayson Baca of Brentwood to prevail in the 20 lap Main Event. This was just her sixth run in her new car, and she served notice to the competition that she will be a factor in the battle for wins from here on out.

For the Main Event, Crandall shared the front row with heat winner and title contender Ryan Hart of Dos Palos. Hart had the point lead within his reach, but the win would elude him on this occasion. Crandall would find her way into the lead and race on to the popular victory ahead of Baca. Pittsburg’s Jared Baugh was another heat race winner, and he finished third in the feature race, followed by rookie Brandon Carpenter of Galt.

After competing at Petaluma Speedway in an effort to maintain his point lead there, 2020 champion James Thomson returned, started at the back and finished fifth ahead of Hart. With Clarence Holbrook III of Galt finishing 17th, Hart took an 18-point lead over him in the championship chase.

Reigning IMCA Stock Car champion Troy Foulger #49 picked up his second Main Event win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Reigning IMCA Modified and Stock Car champion Troy Foulger of Oakley scored a double as he won both divisions’ Main Events. Troy has reduced his schedule this year behind the wheel of the Bowers Motorsports cars, but he remains a force every time he’s in action.

In the Stock Car race, Foulger started in the second row, but he made a big move in the second turn on the opening lap to take the lead over Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista. Heat race winner Fred Ryland of Brentwood had an eventful race, but he came from the back of the pack to finish second ahead of Pacheco’s Kenny Shrader, who was making his division debut. With his fourth place finish, Oakley’s Scott Foster moved into second in the standings as he continues to lead the State championship race. Point leader Jason Jennings of Pittsburg had a solid effort in fifth after winning his heat race.

For the IMCA Modified Main Event, Foulger started back in the third row with Oakley’s Kellen Chadwick. The duo quickly worked their way to the front, and Foulger prevailed ahead of Chadwick, who used that finish to increase his point lead by a much bigger margin. Reno, Nevada’s Katelynn Robertson continues to make visits to Antioch, and she took third on this occasion, followed by Chris Long of Antioch and Matt Kampfraat of Granite Bay.

Pacheco’s Kenny Shrader added another point to his IMCA Sport Modified lead by out-running rival Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley to win the 20 lap Main Event. Shrader leads Ryan by just three points as we enter the stretch run of the season.

Heat race winners Shrader and Ryan have a high point average and had to start back in the fourth row for the Main Event. With a front row start, Tommy Clymens of Oakley led the early charge. Shrader and Ryan again found their way to the front along with three-time champion Fred Ryland of Brentwood, who had started back in the fifth row. Shrader would hold off Ryan to claim the win as Ryland settled for third ahead of reigning State champion Trevor Clymens of Brentwood and Tommy Clemens.

Blake Bower of Brentwood won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Last year’s top rookie has struggled a bit this year, but he’s been near the front of the pack when mechanical issues haven’t been a factor. This was his first win of the season.

Bower and Finkenbinder Racing teammate Jacob Tuttle of Oakley started on the front row, and Bower would end up winning that battle as Tuttle maintained his point lead with a second place finish. Ethon Lanfri of Milpitas finished third, followed by Bob Newberry of Brentwood and Steve Maionchi of Sonora.

After taking a week off, racing resumes in a big way on August 17th. It’s the Hetrick Memorial race, offering over $16,000 in purse money for the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.raceantiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

Race Results

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Jeff Browne. Main Event (20 Laps)-Troy Foulger, Kellen Chadwick, Katelynn Robertson, Chris Long, Matt Kampfraat, Tyler Browne, Jeff Browne.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Jason Ryan Jr, Kenny Shrader. Main Event (20)-Kenny Shrader, Jason Ryan Jr, Fred Ryland, Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens, Chuck Golden, Jeff Bentancourt, James Graessle, Kelly Campanile, Buddy Kniss.

Pacific Coast Hobby Stocks

Heat Wonners (8 Laps)-Jared Baugh, Grayson Baca, Colten Haney. Main Event (20 Laps)-Jewell Crandall, Grayson Baca, Jared Baugh, Brandon Carpenter, James Thomson, Ryan Hart, Rick Rogers, Charlie Bryant, Kevin Brown, Hunter Hammett.

Wingless Spec Sprints

Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Jacob Tuttle. Main Event (20 Laps)-Blake Bower, Jacob Tuttle, Eathon Lanfri, Bob Newberry, Steve Maionchii, John Ulrich, Dylan Newberry DNS

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Fred Ryland, Jason Jennings. Main Event (20 Laps)-Troy Foulger, Fred Ryland, Kenny Shrader, Scott Foster, Jason Jennings, Kenneth Robles, Nick Caughman Jr, Chester Kniss, Dan Gonderman, Taylor DeCarlo.

Previous Race Results: