Racecars dropped like flies in Madera: S&S avoids mess to win Harvest Classic

MADERA, CALIF. - The Western States Supermodified Racing League ran its 35th annual Harvest Classic race Saturday at Madera Speedway, Madera, Calif., featuring two, 50-lap races.

Two things about these races - they are exciting for the race fans, but they sure weren't pretty for the teams.

The drivers able to withstand the carnage and attrition on the track for the first 50-lap race were nearly guaranteed a finish in the second. Fourteen cars took the green flag in the first; eight cars began the second.

As fast qualifier, driver of the No. 98 S&S Motorsports Troy Regier of Dinuba, Calif., pulled a number 12 for the inversion of the field, putting him sixth row outside to begin. On the pole was Whitey Janssen of Dayton and outside Janssen was Amy Barnes of Minden.

With the first start of the race called back, Barnes took a higher line going into turn 1-2 above Janssen on the second start. Janssen hit his brakes taking the turn, which nosed his car up the track just as Barnes was hit from behind, sending her into a spin and being hit by Janssen. Both cars were out for the night.

The third start of the first race was begun by the cars of A.J. Russell and Jeff Russell (no relation). With a clean start, the Russells battled for the lead while Regier used the low line to pass cars in turns 1-2 and 3-4. By lap 9, Regier was in the fifth position taking on Eric Silsby of Minden for the fourth spot, as Jim Birges and A.J. Russell wanted second. Following suit was 18-year-old rookie Martin McKeefery.

After Regier moved into the third position on lap 15, he nosed inside Birges on the low line making three attempts to take the second position without success. Seeing Regier's moves, Birges dove under Jeff Russell in turn 3-4 on lap 17 and ran over the left rear of Russell, putting them both into the wall and out for the night.

On the restart, Regier held the No. 1 spot with A.J. Russell second, Silsby third, McKeefery fourth and Rick Veenstra fifth.

Regier led the race to the finish with Silsby finishing second and McKeefery third. Rounding out the order were Veenstra, Kirk Wartman, Eric Coppo, A.J. Russell, George Greenway, Jeff Russell, Birges, Dale Lamborn of Carson City, Barnes and Janssen.

"I was afraid of getting my car wrecked," Regier said of the carnage. "I really wanted to avoid it.

"I took it easy on the first two restarts so I'd have something to go racing with. Everything was then ready to go - it seemed like a long night."

The second 50-lap race was held after a 20-minute intermission allowing crews to refuel and flip the right rear tire (to equal wear). The field was inverted from the finishing order of the first race for the start.

Barnes and Janssen agreed their accident was a "racing thing."

"I got hit from behind and Whitey just got hot with the brakes," Barnes said. "It happens. I just wish I could have raced tonight."

"I really don't know how it happened, but I apologized to Amy," Janssen said. "I think when I hit the brakes I just pushed up."

Starting the second race were Wartman, Veenstra, McKeefery, Silsby, Regier, A.J. Russell, Lamborn and Coppo.

Veenstra charged to the early lead but by lap 5, Regier had moved into second place. Again using the low line, Regier pulled the lead from Veenstra on lap 11 and sailed ahead of the field.

At the checkered flag, it was Regier winning the second race to take his sixth consecutive Harvest Classic win, tying the all-time record of Everett Edlund. Rounding out the field of race two were: McKeefery, Lamborn, Wartman, Coppo, Silsby, Veenstra and Russell.

"The car did good," Regier said of its handling. "I made some adjustments on the shocks, but overall, the S&S team gave me a rock-steady car and made my job easy. Just the chance to match a record set by one of my heroes is an honor.

"These guys (S&S crew) do their best and make the car reliable - nothing breaks. I can't ask for anything more. Six wins in a row for the season and six Harvest Classic races in a row. Tonight's races were real hairy."

"That was ugly," was all co-owner Tom Silsby could say.

"Overall, we had a pretty good car and Troy did an excellent job driving it," said Steve Shaw, co-owner. "We owe a lot to our sponsors - Ron Burdg and Sierra Racing Products; Capital City Auto Parts (NAPA); Mr. Gasket; TND Machine; Valley Chevrolet, and to Donn Simons and the family-operated business of Artistic Fence Company, who recently joined our sponsor team.

"We'd like to say thanks to John Stewart, Troy's tire guy, who is very beneficial to the team. His hard work and efforts are a big plus and part of our success."

The WSSRL has been confirmed to race Oct. 7 at Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, Calif. Due to noise constraints, the cars are required to race at a noise level of 90 decibels or less. If they are louder they are immediately disqualified.

Several drivers and car owners are still considering the extent of work to make this possible on a supermodified racecar without losing too much horsepower and keeping adequate airflow to the motor. With the Orange County (Calif.) show being canceled, the Oct. 7 date is the last of the WSSRL for the season.

For information, visit www.wssrl.com.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.