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| Photo Courtesy Jason Wedehase |
MADERA, CALIFORNIA (August 12, 2017) - Manteca's Jacob Gomes led twice, including the final 22 laps, en route to his second career PCS victory to win the series' 100 lap feature on Saturday night at Madera Speedway. Gomes topped a field of 19 Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com Super Late Models in the seventh round of 2017.
Gomes' victory makes him the seventh different winner in a series that has had no repeat winners this year.
The "fastest one-third mile in the west" lived up to its billing in Sunoco Fuels-sponsored time trials, when five drivers broke the track record set last August by Jason Romero. Despite sizzling temperatures, March PCS Madera winner Carlos Vieira clicked off a 13.999 second lap. The Livingston, CA driver followed that by winning the American Tire Dash that paid a set of tires and the pole for the feature.
The initial attempt at a start proved difficult when the outside line stopped coming to the green flag. The ensuing melee saw the outside of rows seven, eight, and nine - Justin Westmoreland, Mike Hite, and Alexander Mead - all suffer significant damage. Both Westmoreland and Hite made attempts to continue on in the race but the trio only completed 38 laps total.
Once things got going it was outside pole sitter Gomes taking advantage of the preferred line to take the lead from Vieira. Incoming third in points Cole Moore challenged Vieira inside on several occasions before Vieira drove away with second place. The top three enjoyed a solid lead on the pack while third-generation driver Ross Strmiska led a second pack using primarily the outside line to anchor fourth. Fourth fastest qualifier Jack Wood of Loomis overcame his fourth row starting position as he took over seventh from 2014 champion Mike Beeler of Modesto on lap 21.
Lapped traffic entered the fray on lap 27 and Wood worked his way past 2016 Rookie of the Year Matt Wendt of Galt for sixth. Strmiska retired from the race on lap 40 with mechanical gremlins and his departure from the track sparked some wild three wide maneuvering through the infield to avoid.
Gomes found the traffic challenging just past halfway when he attempted to get past Eric Nascimento, Jr., 16, who was making his series debut. Vieira climbed up to Gomes on lap 58 and they went three-wide in traffic but Gomes managed to maintain the lead. They went side-by-side again on laps 61 and 62 but Gomes rolled the top to his advantage. Vieira continued the pressure with Cole Moore entering the picture from third in a nose-to-tail affair. Vieira finally cleared Gomes for the lead position on lap 71.
The traffic did not relent and Vieira tagged the wall attempting to lap points leader John Moore just a few laps later. On lap 78, Vieira went up in smoke in turn three with his night over with damage from the impact. That lap 78 caution was the first caution since the initial attempt at a start making for a grueling green flag run.
Gomes picked the outside of Cole Moore for a restart the saw Gomes, Moore, and Tracy Bolin go three-wide briefly. The caution flew on the next lap when Wood and John Moore spun in turn two. The top-three took off from fourth place Wendt at the next restart and Wendt spent several laps side-by-side with lapped car Michael Sandoval. Behind them, Nascimento was challenged by John Moore until Jack Wood jumped inside for an attempt at going three-wide into turn three. Wood and Moore collided sending Moore for a spin and both cars to the rear.
The following restart saw Gomes, Cole Moore, and Bolin again go after it with Bolin and Cole Moore making contact coming out of turn two. Bolin slid down the backstretch sideways at near full throttle before backing hard into the turn three wall. Bolin was able to climb from his car uninjured despite sparking a significant fire.
After a lengthy clean up, Cole Moore found himself again in the eye of the storm on the next green flag. Moore and Wendt tangled in a three-wide battle in turn three that sent Wendt into Moore's drivers-side door. Wendt's evening was over on the hook while Moore had to make several stops for repairs before continuing.
The final caution of the evening came on lap 96 when Wood and Ukiah's John Dalerio collided battling for a possible top-five finish. Both had to restart at the rear yet again.
Gomes lined up outside Eagle, ID's Travis Milburn for a four lap shootout to the finish and quickly took off in his red #16. Both John Moore - who had been spun around just eight laps earlier - and Beeler managed to pass Milburn in the closing stages. At the checkered flag it was Jacob Gomes with his second career PCS victory ahead of John Moore, Mike Beeler, Travis Milburn, and Eric Nascimento, Jr. Austin Gant scored his second consecutive sixth place finish while Austin Herzog, 15, overcame several mechanical issues to finish seventh in his series debut to go with Nascimento's top-five in his series debut.
The Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com continues September 2nd with round #8 as part of the third Tri-Holiday Classic at Stockton 99 Speedway. John Moore will bring a 12 point advantage on Mike Beeler into the event.
For more information on the Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com, 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, Radio 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
March 18th - Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) Winner: Carlos Vieira
April 15th - All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *RAINED OUT*
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) Winner: Randy Hedrick
August 12th - Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) Winner: Jacob Gomes
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)
Pacific Challenge Series Round 7: Madera Speedway results
Finish Car Driver Hometown Sponsors
1 16 Jacob Gomes Manteca, CA Sunny Valley Smoked Meats
2 27 John Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Environmental
3 6 Mike Beeler Modesto, CA Beeler Industries
4 19 Travis Milburn Eagle, ID Neu Energy
5 21 Eric Nascimento Manteca, CA Nascimento Motorsports
6 75 Austin Gant Grass Valley, CA Empire Steel Buildings
7 11H Austin Herzog Clovis, CA Richard Herzog Construction
8 14 John Dalerio Redwood Valley, CA Premier Auto Body Repair
9 7 Michael Sandoval Manteca, CA Sandoval & Son
10 18 Jack Wood Loomis, CA Velocity Racing
11 20 Cole Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Racing
12 11J Tracy Bolin Valley Springs, CA Bolin Builders
13 1 Matt Wendt Galt, CA Cali Style Customs
14 51 Carlos Vieira Livingston, CA 51FIFTY Energy Drink
15 35 Matt Scott Pine Grove, CA Kamps Propane
16 90 Ross Strmiska Manteca, CA Nut Up Industries
17 70 Mike Hite Elk Grove, CA Storage for Less
18 9 Justin Westmoreland Fresno, CA George's Auto Supply
19 32 Alexander Mead Watsonville, CA Jeff Mead Firewood
Sunoco Fuels Fast Time: #51 Carlos Vieira 13.999 * NEW TRACK RECORD*
American Racer Dash (Set of Tires): #51 Carlos Vieira
Penney Racing Supply Hard Charger: #7 Michael Sandoval
Lap leaders: #16 Jacob Gomes 1-70, #51 Carlos Vieira 71-78, #16 Jacob Gomes 79-100
