Jimmy Christian Claims Sierra Gold in BCRA Midget Feature at Placerville

Jimmy Christian (10) took the high line around Danny Parker (20) at the start and was never challenged en route to the Bay Cities Racing Association Midget main event at Placerville Speedway (Matt Sublett Photo)

Jimmy Christian is all thumbs up after his BCRA Midget win at Placerville.
(Matt Sublett Photo)

By Robert Haugh

Dominating an attrition-depleted field, Jimmy Christian powered the Walker-Racing Bay Muffler #10 Stealth/Esslinger to a commanding win, leading wire-to-wire in capturing the 25-lap Bay Cities Racing Association Midget feature at John Padjen’s speedy ¼-mile red clay Placerville Speedway on Saturday, June 21.

After surpassing polesitter Danny Parker on the opening circuit, Christian never looked back, stretching to large leads, never challenged for the lead. Christian led several laps in May at Placerville, finishing second.

Auburn’s Dave Stoltz placed second aboard his #77 Pacific Flyer/Range Rover V6 ahead of David Prickett aboard the #17x Thurston/Grant TCR/Chevy Gaerte, polesitter Danny Parker aboard Bob Roza’s #20 Beast/Esslinger and Todd Miller aboard his #9 Stealth/Esslinger capturing fifth.

With his #15 Neverlift Motorsports Stealth/Van Dyne not ready, Prickett stepped into the Thurston-Grant TCR/Chevy Gaerte, “loaned” to him for the race.

Points leader Scott Nail claimed seventh aboard a borrowed Rick Young Ford Focus-powered Midget after suffering from engine woes in Stu Donaldson’s #8x Stealth/Pontiac during Heat 1.

17-year-old reigning BCRA champion Justin Grant of nearby Ione was looking for his first victory at his hometown track aboard the #17 TNT RaceSports Dave & Wendy Thurston RacingforourTroops.com Spike/Esslinger, but was involved in a first-lap incident that sidelined three-time BCRA champion Glenn Carson aboard Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger as well as seven-time BCRA champion Floyd Alvis aboard his #18 Champion Automotive “Green Beret” Stealth/Esslinger.

After recording his second fast time of the year, second-place pointsman Nick Foster, Jr. retired the #24 Jim Fowler Beast/Esslinger at the halfway point with mechanical problems.

Two-time BCRA champion John Sarale exited the feature early while charging to the front with a flat right rear tire. Despite valiantly trying to get a new tire on the Sarale Farms #32 Stealth/Riolo Chevy, Sarale was unable to return before the ensuing restart, ending his hopes of duking it out with Christian for the win.

Manning the Lucas Oil/Incredisoles Glen Crye Racing #15 Stealth/Brayton Ford, 19-year-old Quinton Crye was hoping to make it two-for-two in 2008 BCRA competition at Placerville, however, despite the team’s hopes of backing up their Placerville BCRA triumph in May, Crye exited the feature early, still prone from damage from a Heat 1 flip. After climbing over another car’s wheel, Crye climbed the backstretch hill before entering into a spectacular series of flips during Heat 1.

1997 Silver Dollar Speedway 410 Sprint Car track champion Rick Haugh, Jr., scratched early-on after suffering from engine woes in hot laps.

15-year-old BCRA rookie Britton Bock battled mechanical gremlins all evening as well in his #62 TCR/Pontiac, failing to start the feature.

Grant claimed Heat 1 over Christian, Parker and Stoltz.

Sarale claimed Heat 2 over Pete Davis in his #00 Hothead Engine Heaters Stealth/Esslinger, Miller, Carson and Foster.

Foster set fast time with a 12.116 lap, his second fast-tome of the year.

Through nine races, Scott Nail leads the BCRA Midget points over Nick Foster, Jr., Floyd Alvis.

The BCRA Midgets now take a much-needed four-week layoff before returning to action at Madera Speedway on July 19.

Visit www.bcraracing.com for more information on the Bay Cities Racing Association.

Summary:
Main Event 25 Laps NT

1. Jimmy Christian
2. Dave Stoltz
3. David Prickett
4. Danny Parker
5. Todd Miller
6. Pete Davis
7. Scott Nail
8. Nick Foster, Jr.
9. Quinton Crye
10. John Sarale
11. Floyd Alvis
12. Glenn Carson
13. Justin Grant
14. Britton Bock

Lap Leaders: 1-25 Christian

Heat 1: 1. Grant, 2. Christian, 3. Parker, 4. Stoltz, 5. Nail, 6. Prickett, 7. Bock-DNS
Heat 2: 1. Sarale, 2. Davis, 3. Miller, 4. Carson, 5. Foster, 6. Alvis, 7. Crye

Qualifications:
1. Nick Foster Jr., 24, Fowler – 12.116; 2. John Sarale, 32, John Sarale – 12:218; 3. Quinten Crye, 15 Crye – 12.271; 4. Glenn Carson, 26, Bock – 12.317;
5. Floyd Alvis, 18a, Alvis – 12.530; 6. David Prickett, 17x, Thurston – 12.635; 7. Scott Nail, 8x, Donaldson – 12.642; 8. Jim Christian, Walker, 10 – 12.670; 9. Dan Parker 20, Roza – 12.685; 10. Justin Grant, 17, Thruston – 12.756; 11. Dave Stoltz, 77, Stoltz – 12.882; 12. Britton Bock, 62, Bock, NT; 13. Rich Haugh Jr., 5h, Haugh Sr., NT; 14. Todd Miller, 9, Miller, NT; 15. Pete Davis, 00, Davis, NT

Jimmy Christian in victory lane after winning the
Bay Cities Racing Association Midget main event at Placerville Speedway
(Matt Sublett Photo)