By Ben Deatherage
CHICO, Calif. (May 10, 2024) – Under the clear Friday night skies, Silver Dollar Speedway roared to life with the thunderous sound of Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods. The 1/4-mile clay oval, steeped in history, was a sight to behold after nearly two months of anticipation, its surface glistening under the floodlights.
Tyler Rodgers wasted no time, immediately taking the lead as the green flag dropped. The hometown hero was in a league of his own, building a substantial lead before being hotly pursued by fellow Chico driver Phil Marino.
The battle for the lead was a thriller, halted by back-to-back red flags, including a six-car pile-up on lap seven on the front straightaway. When racing resumed, Rodgers was speedy, but as the race started to close, Ray Lindeman, from Rio Linda, mounted a late challenge.
On multiple occasions, Lindeman caught Rodgers in lapped traffic. But once he got to the back of him, Rodgers slipped past the slower cars.
On the final lap, Lindeman tossed the dice one last time. Unfortunately, he spun coming to the checkered, allowing Rodgers to seize the win. It was a significant win for Rodgers, who had blown up his engine in his outing on March 16.
Lindeman placed second while Shaun Merritt came across the line third.
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