Byron battles to brilliant win at Petaluma

By Stephanie Deatherage  PETALUMA, Calif. (May 6) – Troy Morris III raced to his first California IMCA Speedweek presented by Hoppes Motorsports feature victory while Tyler Bannister won for the second time in as many nights Thursday at Petaluma Speedway. Morris topped the $1,000 to win, Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier for IMCA Modifieds while Bannister followed his Wednesday checkers at Antioch with the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod main event win. “I was speechless when it happened,” said Morris, acknowledging the caliber of the competition he beat for his first win in the division. “I feel like I’m on top of the world. It was a stacked field of cars on a technical track and it was fun. I had a blast.” Buddy Kniss was on a rail at the drop of the green in the 25-lap Modified main, pulling away from the pack before what proved to be a fateful lap four caution. Kniss had an incredible start when things returned to green but briefly lost control in on the sixth circuit and [Read More]

By Stephanie Deatherage  PETALUMA, Calif. (Aug. 11) – The second leg of the California IMCA Speedweek presented by Hoppes Motorsports saw Troy Foulger parked in victory lane following the Modified main event at Petaluma Speedway. Foulger picked up $1,000 and a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot berth for the big win atop the 3/8-mile adobe clay oval. The third starting Foulger had been quick to the lead and stayed in front through long green flag action. Lapped traffic did become a factor but Foulger avoided all obstacles on his way to the check­ers. Paul Stone again charged out of a “B” feature, started last in the main and rocketed to a second-place result. Night one winner Bobby Hogge IV placed third while fourth went to New Mexico stand­out Zane DeVilbiss.   Veteran Paul Gugliomoni was fifth via a consolation feature. In the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod main event, Garrett Jernagan picked up from where left off from the previous evening This time the Bakersfield driver seized the lead on the initial start, mastered each restart and didn’t [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage  PETALUMA, Calif. (April 17) – IMCA Modifieds made their 2021 debut at Petaluma Speedway on Saturday and Michael Paul Jr. was the driver showing the fastest way around the historic Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds adobe clay facility.   Bobby Montalvo opened the main event up by procuring the lead on the opening start before being forced to deal with a restart after a caution on lap three. On the ensuing restart, it was Paul bringing the heat on the leader. Paul captured the top spot, on lap four. The Petaluma veteran had to worry about handling two restarts once he took over the lead. After some brief heavy pressure briefly after one of the returns to green flag action, it was pretty much pure dominance by Paul in the 20-lap affair.  Tim Balding ended his night second while Anthony Slaney placed third. The rest of the top five consisted of Montalvo and Paul’s wife Michelle.