By Dennis Daniel
August 27, 2011 – Antioch Speedway, Antioch, CA – Salinas, CA’s Bobby Hogge IV is no stranger to victory lane at Antioch or any track he runs at. On Saturday night, Hogge pushed his West Coast Nationals win streak to 3 out of 3. Hogge won both legs of the race last year, earning $7,000 plus a $1,000 bonus for winning both. Hogge picked up Antioch’s $3,500 again on Saturday night after taking the lead on a lap 3 restart and drove away to the 35 lap win.
The race started with outside front row starter Randy McDaniel grabbing the lead over pole starting Jell Olschowka. Hogge, who started 4[SUP]th[/SUP], quickly moved by Olschowka on lap 2. The first caution flag of the night flew on lap 3 when Duane Cleveland and New Mexico’s Jimmy Ray tangled in turn 1.
On the restart, Hogge used the top groove to power by McDaniel and take over the lead. After taking over the point, he began to pull away as drivers throughout the field began some fierce racing behind. On lap 4, Olschowka’s hope to pick up the win ended when he slowed with transmission problems, bringing out a caution.
Hogge continued to lead over McDaniel, 8[SUP]th[/SUP] starting Cody Burke and Ryan McDaniel. Hogge was able to drive away from Randy McDaniel on the restart, while Ryan was able to get third away from Burke. Burke’s run ended on lap 7 as something broke on lap 8 while running in 4[SUP]th[/SUP].
Hogge continued to lead over the father-son McDaniel duo. Things took a bad turn for the Marysville speedsters as the muffler had fallen off Randy’s car, causing him to get a left rear flat tire. Ryan also ran over the muffler, which also gave him a flat tire. They both headed pitside after running 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] on lap 10. This moved Winton’s Paul Stone into second behind Hogge.
Making an early race charge was third B Main winner Brian Cass. After starting 11[SUP]th[/SUP], Cass was running third and putting pressure on Stone for the runner-up spot. During the green flag runs, Hogge would open a comfortable lead over the tight battle for second between Stone and Cass.
After a lap 23 restart, the field restarted for another doubled up restart. As the green flag flew, the leaders raced into turn 1 and as the field exited, Cass sat in turn 1 spun around. He would be able to continue but would have to restart from the rear of the field. Arkansas Modified star Jeff Taylor, driving a Kevin Fitzgerald owned car, was making his presence felt, as he ran up to third after Cass spun.
After the final restart, Hogge continued to hold off the restart challenges from Stone, despite some tight side-by-side battles during the early laps of a green flag run. Alex Stanford also found himself in a familiar spot, running with the leaders. Stanford was able to jump into 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] on lap 25, while Ray was charging later after starting dead last and rebounding from an early race tangle. Ray got under Taylor in turn 3 and now ran 4[SUP]th[/SUP]. Hogge was able to open a 6 car length lead over Stone, while Stanford and Ray were left to battle for third.
On lap 33, Ray took advantage of a small slip up by Stanford and drove under him to take over 3[SUP]rd[/SUP]. Cass was still battling back from his spin and got by Taylor for 5[SUP]th[/SUP] over the closing laps.
As the checkers flew, it was Hogge once again claiming another big win. Stone gave chase but brought home a well earned 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] place. Ray held off Stanford, followed by Cass and Taylor.
“I want to thank (car owner) Joe Glade,” Hogge said afterwards. Glade and the Hogge have teamed up to claim many big races on the West Coast in recent years, including last years West Coast Nationals sweep. Hogge and crew now make the 100 mile tow to Merced Speedway for Sunday’s second leg of the West Coast Nationals, with another $3,500 going to the winner. Hogge will be looking to claim another win and collect the $1,000 bonus for winning both nights. “I’m excited that I won, but my stomach is already twisted up thinking about Merced Speedway tomorrow,” said Hogge IV after the win. “I’ve never won two nights in a row at two different tracks two years in a row - that’s pretty hard to do.”
Antioch Speedway – DIRTCar West Modifieds West Coast Nationals
August 27, 2011
Official Results:
A Main – 35 laps
1. 2H Bobby Hogge IV
2. 66P Paul Stone
3. 9 Jimmy Ray
4. 98 Alex Stanford
5. 55 Brian Cass
6. 66T Jeff Taylor
7. 32 Chris Shannon
8. 10 Ryan McDaniel
9. 4P Richard Pappenhausen
10. 15M Mike Shephard
11. 50 Michael Paul Jr
12. 7 Kellen Chadwick
13. 67 Mike Villanueva
14. 17 Nick Decarlo
15. 09 Mitch Enos
16. 13 Vance Beltran
17. 20 Cody Burke
18. 2C Duane Cleveland
19. 1 Randy McDaniel
20. 7X Jeff Olschowka
B Main #1
1. 50 Michael Paul Jr
2. 66T Jeff Taylor
3. 98 Alex Stanford
4. 15M Mike Shephard
5. 16 Michael Paul Sr
6. 7W Sean Wilson
7. 15X Russ Sieber
8. 82 Sean O’Gara
9. 62 Jeremy Newberry
10. 3 Dickie Gorham
11. U81 Bobby Motts (DQ)
12. 17T Terry Decarlo (DQ)
13. 15 Bill Egleston (DNS)
14. 2 Danny Lauer (DNS)
15. 66 Kevin Fitzgeral (DNS)
B Main #2
1. 32 Chris Shannon
2. 17 Nick Decarlo
3. 09 Mitch Enos
4. 13 Vance Beltran
5. 25dd Danny Dozier
6. 29 Mike Salazar
7. 92 Jay Bryant
8. 2A Andy Angelo
9. 71 Rob Norris
10. 25 Austin Burke
11. 4X Justin O’Brien
12. 16B Randy Brown (DNS)
B Main #3
1. 55 Brian Cass
2. 66P Paul Stone
3. 2C Duane Cleveland
4. 9 Jimmy Ray
5. 49 Troy Foulger
6. 99 Kenny Neu
7. 84 Robbie Jeppesen
8. 81 Kevin Pendergrass
9. 12 Joe Carr
10. 4 Bill Wallace
11. 11X Tom Berry Jr
12. 198 Robbie Sawyer
13. 74 Chris Sieweke
14. 73 Scott Busby (DNS)
