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| John Moore (#27) leads the series points after winning at Stockton (Photo Courtesy Dan Thompson) |
Via PCS Media
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (July 26, 2017) - The tight battle at the top of the 2017 Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com continues with a trip to the series' tightest facility, as the Super Late Model drivers take to the quarter-mile Ukiah Speedway this Saturday. 2015 PCS champion John Moore leads 2014 PCS champion Mike Beeler and 2015 Rookie of the Year Cole Moore into Saturday's main event.
PCS racing in 2017 has been wide-open with no repeat race winners through the first five races. Four of the five winners - Carlos Vieira, Derek Copeland, Jeff Bischofberger, and Cole Moore - were first-time PCS winners before John Moore grabbed the Ron Strmiska Memorial on July 1st at Stockton.
The elder Moore ran all three Ukiah events in 2015 and ran fifth, third, and fourth. His son Cole has only one top-five in three starts but it was a strong second place finish in October 2015. The Moores have battled extensively on track this year including down to the wire in the Stockton race four weeks ago. John Moore's fifth place finish in the May race at Stockton is his low point of a near perfect season while Cole Moore has finished in the top-two in three consecutive races.
Mike Beeler has finished in the top-two of the points for three consecutive seasons and is on-track for his fourth consecutive top-two from the second spot currently. Beeler has been a model of consistency with three fourth place finishes and a second place finish so far. His Ukiah resume includes a win last year and six top-fives in his eight starts.
Jason Romero's championship contending season has slipped slightly to the fourth position in the standings but still well within striking range. The four-time All American Speedway PCS winner in 2016 has not reached victory lane yet in 2017 but ran second to start the year at Madera and third at the May Stockton race. The 2009 All American Speedway track champion has never run a PCS race at Ukiah.
Rounding out the top-five is 2016 Rookie of the Year Matt Wendt of Galt, who has finished sixth three times this year along with a seventh place effort in the Strmiska Memorial. Wendt will pilot a JD Motorsports entry campaigned by Jeremy and Mike Doss. Jeremy Doss, the 2012 & 2016 series champion, won the PCS season finale at Ukiah last year.
Jack Wood leads the rookie standings out of the sixth position in the points and will try to better his career-best sixth place effort from the Strmiska Memorial. He leads his cousin Travis Milburn of Eagle, ID by ten points with Valley Springs' Tracy Bolin in eighth. Elk Grove's Mike Hite is the other competitor who has appeared at all five races, but a slew of mechanical problems has relegated him to tenth in the points although he is tied with ninth place Doss in the standings.
1th place in the standings is Chris Scribner of Loomis who has run in the top-three on three occasions at Ukiah including a victory in May of 2014. Other series regulars such as JR Courage and Danny Malfatti have also recorded their series-best performances at the quarter-mile with Courage running second last July after leading the first 48 laps while Malfatti ran fourth last October.
Several regional drivers are expected to compete along with the return of Austin Gant to series competition after taking 2016 off. A strong field will treat the fans to a great night of action that also includes the fast-growing Limited Modifieds, Bombers, Pro 4 Modifieds, and Drifting.
Activities get underway on Friday with practice. Pit gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday with practices to follow and qualifying at 5 p.m.
Grandstand tickets are $12 for Adults 16+, while Kids 6-11 and first responders are $6. Seniors and Students are $9. Kids 5 and under are free. A family pack for 2 Adults and Kids is $30.
Ukiah Speedway is located at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. For more information visit www.UkiahSpeedway.com
For more information on the Pacific Challenge Series, visit www.PacificChallengeSeries.com or follow them on Facebook or YouTube
The Pacific Challenge Series is presented by: Penney Racing Supply, Penney & Associates, American Racer Tires, Law Talk, Compact-It, Northwest Compactors, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, BrakeOMeter, Lefthander Chassis, ARP Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Bassett Wheels, Frank's Radio, WrapStar Pro, and Blakesley Sports Media. All PCS Super Late Models race ABC Bodies or Muscle Car bodies on American Racer Tires with Sunoco Racing Fuel.
2017 Pacific Challenge Series Schedule
Subject to change
March 18th - Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) Winner: Carlos Vieira
April 15th - All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *Cancelled due to rain*
May 6th - Shasta Speedway (Anderson, CA) Winner: Derek Copeland
May 20th - Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) Winner: Jeff Bischofberger
June 17th - All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) Winner: Cole Moore
July 1st - Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) Ron Strmiska Memorial Winner: John Moore
July 29th - Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA)
August 12th - Madera Speedway (Madera, CA)
September 2nd - Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA)
October 14th - All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *2017 Championship Finale* w/ North State Modified Series & NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West)
PCS Track Stats - Ukiah
#39 Jimmy Stillman
Starts: 14, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 2, Top-Tens: 9 - best finish 2nd 2009
#75 Jeremy Doss
Starts: 8, Wins: 6, Top-Fives: 8, Top-Tens: 8
#6 Mike Beeler
Starts: 8, Wins: 1, Top-Fives: 6, Top-Tens: 8
#5 Chris Scribner
Starts: 5, Wins: 1, Top-Fives: 3, Top-Tens: 4
#70 Mike Hite
Starts: 4, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 2
#37 JR Courage
Starts: 6, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 3, Top-Tens: 4
#1 Matthew Wendt
Starts: 3, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 1, Top-Tens, 3
#20 Cole Moore
Starts 3, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 1, Top-Tens: 1
#27 John Moore
Starts: 3, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 3, Top-Tens: 3
#55 Danny Malfatti
Starts: 3, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 1, Top-Tens, 3
#18 Travis Milburn
Starts: 2, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 1, Top-Tens: 2
#11J Tracy Bolin
Starts: 2, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 1, Top-Tens: 2
