By Candice Martin
ANTIOCH, Calif. (May 3, 2023) – Troy Morris III scored the win in the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event, in Wednesday’s opening round of the Central California Clash at Antioch Speedway.
The win by Morris, already eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, paid $1,000.
Jim Pettit II motored into the lead at the start ahead of Troy Foulger. The race had multiple cautions during the first 10 laps with Pettit leading Foulger up to that point. Morris moved up to battle Clark Guglielmoni for third on lap 10. A low pass in turn four on lap 13 put Morris into third and he soon joined the battle between Pettit and Foulger for first.
An outside pass on the back stretch on lap 18 moved Morris around both Pettit and Foulger with Foulger going low in turn four to take second. A yellow flag waved on lap 23. However, Morris kept his poise and withstood a serious challenge down the front stretch to hold off Foulger for the win. Pettit settled for third ahead of Guglielmoni and Bobby Hogge.
Jerry Flippo won the 25-lap IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature aboard the Les Friend-owned entry.
Foulger set the early pace ahead of Flippo and Anthony Slaney. They ran in that order through the first 12 laps before Raymond Noland rolled his car in turn two. He was not injured.
Foulger continued to set the pace on the restart but he got sideways exiting turn four on lap 18. Flippo gathered the momentum on the inside and passed at the line to take the lead. Foulger made a couple of big attempts on the inside through turns three and four to get by, but Flippo kept holding him back. By that point, Rick Diaz had moved into third.
On the final lap, Foulger made an aggressive inside move in turn three and drifted up high in turn four with the lead. Undaunted, Flippo, already B & B Racing Chassis All-Star eligible, ducked to the inside and beat Foulger back to the line for the victory. Diaz settled for third ahead of Fred Ryland and Slaney.
Defending Clash champion Tyler Bannister won the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main.
Les Friend led a lap before Joseph Pato gained advantage. Following a yellow flag after two laps, Bannister took the lead.
Jason Ryan Oakley moved into third on lap four. Mallet took second on a lap 16 restart and held the spot until being involved in a three-car tangle on lap 22. Bannister led Kenny Shrader on the restart, and they finished that way with Ryan settling for third ahead of Trevor Clymens and Aaron Farrell.
