AZTEC, N.M. (April 22) – Porter Smith dominated from the start in his Friday night drive to victory lane, as the EQ Cylinder Heads Wild West Tour for IMCA Modifieds opened at Aztec Speedway.
The $1,000 series victory was the career first for Smith, already a candidate for the 2011 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.
Smith powered around pole starter Brad Boyer for the front spot on the second lap and never looked back. Defending tour champion Zane DeVilbiss took over second on the same circuit and then tried to chase down Smith in traffic that often ran three wide.
The battle up front got intense as DeVilbiss had a shot at the leader until the final caution slowed the field at lap 28. Smith then pulled away to the victory.
Smith and DeVilbiss were joined by fellow Farmington pilot Danny Bradford in the top three. Justen Yeager was the hard charger as he advanced 15 spots to finish fourth. Aaron Spangler was fifth.
Forty-six Modifieds checked in for what was supposed to be a season-opening doubleheader but Saturday’s show was rained out before heats could get underway.
The series had gone four-plus seasons and 59 races without such a cancellation.
Next up on the tour schedule is the Friday and Saturday, May 20-21 twinbill at Desert Thunder Raceway in Price, Utah.
Feature results –
1. Porter Smith, Farmington;
2. Zane DeVilbiss, Farmington;
3. Danny Bradford, Farmington;
4. Justen Yeager, Green River, Wyo.;
5. Aaron Spangler, Dove Creek, Colo.;
6. Tyrone Yazzie, Farmington;
7. Regan Tafoya, Farmington;
8. Jerry Harpole Jr., Farmington;
9. Brad Boyer, Monument, Colo.;
10. Jeep Berry, Grand Junction, Colo.;
11. Matt Higgins, Bloomfield;
12. Mark Rodgers, Farmington;
13. Kevin Brown, Durango, Colo.;
14. Eddie Farley, Aztec;
15. Bubba Alvarado, Kersey, Colo.;
16. Bert Beech, Byron, Wyo.;
17. Jason Keeler, Bloomfield;
18. Ricky Alvarado, Delta, Colo.;
19. Donald Wood Jr., Peoria, Ariz.;
20. Cory Sample, Winnemucca, Nev.;
21. Colten Vanderherp, Farron, Utah;
22. Chase Ruble, Delta, Colo.;
23. Craig Teter, Rifle, Colo.;
24. Chase Hansen, Myton, Utah.
1st heat (top two) – 1. Harpole; 2. Vanderherp.
2nd heat – 1. Tafoya; 2. Spangler.
3rd heat – 1. DeVilbiss; 2. Bubba Alvarado.
4th heat – 1. Tyrone Yazzie; 2. Brown.
5th heat – 1. Keeler; 2. Boyer.
6th heat – 1. Smith; 2. Beech.
1st “B” feature (top four) – 1. Ricky Alvarado; 2. Sample; 3. Yeager; 4. Ruble.
2nd “B” feature – 1. Brad-ford; 2. Wood; 3. Rodgers; 4. Farley.
3rd “B” feature – 1. Berry; 2. Teter; 3. Higgins; 4. Hansen.
The $1,000 series victory was the career first for Smith, already a candidate for the 2011 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.
Smith powered around pole starter Brad Boyer for the front spot on the second lap and never looked back. Defending tour champion Zane DeVilbiss took over second on the same circuit and then tried to chase down Smith in traffic that often ran three wide.
The battle up front got intense as DeVilbiss had a shot at the leader until the final caution slowed the field at lap 28. Smith then pulled away to the victory.
Smith and DeVilbiss were joined by fellow Farmington pilot Danny Bradford in the top three. Justen Yeager was the hard charger as he advanced 15 spots to finish fourth. Aaron Spangler was fifth.
Forty-six Modifieds checked in for what was supposed to be a season-opening doubleheader but Saturday’s show was rained out before heats could get underway.
The series had gone four-plus seasons and 59 races without such a cancellation.
Next up on the tour schedule is the Friday and Saturday, May 20-21 twinbill at Desert Thunder Raceway in Price, Utah.
Feature results –
1. Porter Smith, Farmington;
2. Zane DeVilbiss, Farmington;
3. Danny Bradford, Farmington;
4. Justen Yeager, Green River, Wyo.;
5. Aaron Spangler, Dove Creek, Colo.;
6. Tyrone Yazzie, Farmington;
7. Regan Tafoya, Farmington;
8. Jerry Harpole Jr., Farmington;
9. Brad Boyer, Monument, Colo.;
10. Jeep Berry, Grand Junction, Colo.;
11. Matt Higgins, Bloomfield;
12. Mark Rodgers, Farmington;
13. Kevin Brown, Durango, Colo.;
14. Eddie Farley, Aztec;
15. Bubba Alvarado, Kersey, Colo.;
16. Bert Beech, Byron, Wyo.;
17. Jason Keeler, Bloomfield;
18. Ricky Alvarado, Delta, Colo.;
19. Donald Wood Jr., Peoria, Ariz.;
20. Cory Sample, Winnemucca, Nev.;
21. Colten Vanderherp, Farron, Utah;
22. Chase Ruble, Delta, Colo.;
23. Craig Teter, Rifle, Colo.;
24. Chase Hansen, Myton, Utah.
1st heat (top two) – 1. Harpole; 2. Vanderherp.
2nd heat – 1. Tafoya; 2. Spangler.
3rd heat – 1. DeVilbiss; 2. Bubba Alvarado.
4th heat – 1. Tyrone Yazzie; 2. Brown.
5th heat – 1. Keeler; 2. Boyer.
6th heat – 1. Smith; 2. Beech.
1st “B” feature (top four) – 1. Ricky Alvarado; 2. Sample; 3. Yeager; 4. Ruble.
2nd “B” feature – 1. Brad-ford; 2. Wood; 3. Rodgers; 4. Farley.
3rd “B” feature – 1. Berry; 2. Teter; 3. Higgins; 4. Hansen.
