INEX CHAMPIONSHIP

Source: Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway Public Relations
Date: 03/24/2004

BLYTHE, California -- A couple of significant races took place at the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway on Saturday night, March 20, sponsored by Imperial Do-It Center. The EZ-Up LEGENDS CARS raced for the 2003-2004 Winter Blast and INEX Championships in a 50-lap Main Event. Ralph Alexander (37) came into the race with 140 total points and a 14-point lead over Gary Scheuerell (13) and Donnie Akers (09), who were tied for second in points at 126. Andrew Murphy (70) was only 4-points behind Scheuerell and Akers. Ralph Alexander was in the lead for the opening laps but spun out a couple of times, which dropped him down into the middle of the pack. Gary Scheuerell subsequently led for most of the race, holding off a constant threat from Austin Grabowski (72). With 10 laps remaining in the race, Grabowski was able to pass Scheuerell and take the lead. Grabowski held onto the lead to earn a first place finish. Grabowski was followed by Scheuerell, Corey Miles (48), Donnie Akers (09), Andrew Murphy (70), Dennis Lovelady (2), and Ralph Alexander. Alexander’s 7th place finish earned him just enough points, 178, to hold onto his overall lead in season points. Gary Scheuerell finished second in overall season points with 174. He was followed by Donnie Akers with 170, Andrew Murhpy (70) with 162 and Tom Skahill (68) and Bill Voss (56) each with 144. Graboswki had also won the Trophy Dash, earlier in the evening. Congratulations to the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway EZ-UP LEGENDS CARS Champions in the 2003-2004 Winter Blast!

The Budweiser MODIFIEDS also had a very important race, namely a 75-lap test of vehicles and drivers. Before the Main Event, Steve Almquist (50) took home a win in the Trophy Dash. At the start of the Main Event, Larry Gerchman (25), last year’s I-10 Speedway Modified Champion, took an early lead and was closely followed by Chris Weiss (94), Mike Schuringa (74), Steve Almquist (50), and Randy Forbis (46) during the first 40 laps. After refueling and making minor setup adjustments to their vehicles, the race resumed with Larry Gerchman holding onto the lead. Chris Weiss’ vehicle suffered serious mechanical failure, which ultimately dropped him into 7th place. Gerchman was able to cross the finish line for a win. He was followed by Steve Almquist (50), Randy Forbis (46), Chris Gerchman (26), and Randy Ussery (83). With the win, Gerchman maintain his lead in season points with 246. Chris Weiss was able to hold onto his second place position in points at 230, but lost some ground because of his 7th place finish. Mike Schuringa is third in points with 208 followed by Steve Almquist with 202. Chris Gerchman (26) and Randy Forbis are tied for 5th in points with 200. With just two races left, Gerchman and Weiss appear to have comfortable leads in first and second places respectively, but as any racing fan knows, there are no comfortable leads in stock car racing. There are no guarantees.

The youngsters raced their BANDOLEROS in a Trophy Dash and 20-lap Main Event. Broc Murphy (76) took home a win in the Trophy Dash. In the Main Event, the two Murphy boys, Austin and Broc, jumped out into first and second, respectively, at the green flag. Austin and Broc drove their Bandoleros to easily take first and second places. Chris Akers (09) took third place and he was followed by Connor Kassik (26), Cassie Gannis (11), and Ryan Bragdon (3).

The Sunoco Fuel PURE STOCKS brought the evening to a roaring conclusion in a 30-lap Main Event. Brian Faulkner (2) pulled out into the lead at the green flag and led the race for the first 22 laps but was forced to leave the track due to mechanical failure. Don Olmsted (79) crossed the finish line for his first win this season. He was followed by Jimmy Rouse (09), John Kelley (11), Richard Selph (88), Skeeter Phipps (15), and Michelle Rouse (90). Jimmy Rouse held onto his first place position in season points with 388. With his win, Don Olmsted gained a little ground on Jimmy Rouse trailing now by only 8 points. John Kelley held onto his third place position in points with 364. Dusty Hope (33) passed Brian Faulkner to move up into the fourth position with 348 points. Brian Faulkner is behind Dusty Hope by a mere 2 points. With three races remaining in the Sunoco Fuel PURE STOCK Division, a lot of movement is still possible in the points race. Earlier in the evening, Michelle Rouse (90) and John Kelley (11) won their Trophy Dashes. It was the third trophy dash win for Kelley.

During the intermission, two 911 races were run. The first 911 race was billed as the Battle of the Radio Stations. Jim Morris represented 100.3 FM in Blythe and Christine DeMoss 1380 AM in Parker, AZ. Jim Morris took an early lead and finished first in his 911 car. The second 911 race featured drivers from Imperial Do-It Center. John finished first and Jeff Keen followed in second place.

The next race in the 2003-2004 Winter Blast is scheduled for April 3. The Budweiser MODIFIEDS, Lucas Oil LATE MODELS, and Sunoco Fuel PURE STOCKS will be featured. Everyone is encouraged to join in the excitement as the racing season at the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway goes into its final month.

RACE SUMMARY

Bandoleros Trophy Dash: Broc Murphy (76), Austin Murphy (07), Cassie Gannis (11), Chris Akers (09), Ryan Bragdon (3), and Connor Kassik (26). Main Event: Austin Murphy (07), Broc Murphy (76), Chris Akers (09), Connor Kassik (26), Cassie Gannis (11), and Ryan Bragdon (3).

EZ-Up Legends Cars Fastest Qualifying Times: Ralph Alexander (37) at 16.451, Dennis Lovelady (2) at 16.509, and Tom Lovelady (2t) at 16.517. Trophy Dash: Austin Grabowski (72), Tom Lovelady (2t), Dennis Lovelady (2), and Ralph Alexander (37). Heat: Gary Scheuerell (13), Donnie Akers (09), Andrew Murphy (70), Tom Skahill (68), Corey Miles (48), Mat Williams (1), Bill Voss (56), Jim Pantier (58), and Suave Brachowski (5). Main Event: Austin Grabowski (72), Gary Scheuerell (13), Corey Miles (48), Donnie Akers (09), Andrew Murphy (70), Dennis Lovelady (2), Ralph Alexander (37), Bill Voss (56), Jim Pantier (58), Suave Brachowski (5), Mat Williams (1), Tom Lovelady (2t), and Tom Skahill (68).

Budweiser Modifieds Fastest Qualifying Times: Mike Schuringa (74) at 15.149, Chris Weiss (94) at 15.189, and Steve Almquist (50) at 15.263. Trophy Dash: Steve Almquist (50), Chris Weiss (94), Larry Gerchman (25), Mike Schuringa (74). Main Event: Larry Gerchman (25), Steve Almquist (50), Randy Forbis (46), Chris Gerchman (26), Randy Ussery (83), Tom Harrison (25x), Chris Weiss (94), David Gerchman (23), Lou Tompkins (1), Mark Zibulsky (7), David Gerchman Jr (22), Mike Schuringa (74), and Chris Golding (75).

Sunoco Fuel Pure Stocks Fastest Qualifying Times: Terry Elmore (22) at 17.483, Brian Faulkner (2) at 17.486, and John Kelley (11) at 17.533. Trophy Dash A: John Kelley (11), Brian Faulkner (2), Terry Elmore (22), and Jimmy Rouse (09). Trophy Dash B: Michelle Rouse (90), Ryan Kerr (56), Jennifer Hope (9), and Steve Hubler (07). Main Event: Don Olmsted (79), Jimmy Rouse (09), John Kelley (11), Richard Selph (88), Skeeter Phipps (15), Michelle Rouse (90), Rusty Hope (33), Ryan Kerr (56), Brian Faulkner (2), Jennier Hope (9), Jerry Elmore (22), and Steve Hubler (07).

See Also .:

• Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway Track Page

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