CFTA California Flat Track Association King Of The Valley Series
Round 5: Chowchilla Speedway
Story and Photos by Karen Gould/Checkered Flag Photography
Chowchilla Speedway hosted three-eighths-mile blue-groove racing this last Saturday; it was the CFTA’s next-to-last round. Craig “Scroggy” Scroggins did an excellent job with the track, and it was the best it has been all year. This was the first event of the CFTA series at which there was no equipment failure during track prep – which was nice.
Several people stepped up to add money to the night’s purse. The Pro class had a $100 “holeshot bonus,” as did the Quad Pro class, which was sponsored by Tom McClellan. Brandon Bergen was the proud recipient in the Pro bike class; he was pleased to have his entry fee and gas costs covered, and he sends a warm thank-you to the provider. Brandon was also riding in the Pro test-and-tune class, testing his motorcycle for the upcoming AMA Pro Flat Track Series’ Ramspur Winery Calistoga Half Mile.
Young 85cc rider Zaden Florez won – and won and won. Grant Holmes got the holeshot, and Jacob Cascio gave Florez a run for his money, but at the end of the day it was Zaden in front to the checkers first in each class he contested. And he did win the largest envelope of cash.
A generous donation of $300 was provided to the 85cc class by KDM Forest Products for this special night, which included the first 85cc race of a three-race series that will travel to Eddie Mulder’s West Coast Dirt Track Series at the Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California; the final race of the series will take place at the new Chowchilla cushion track, in the open barn – recently named the “Chowchilla Afterburner.” The 85 class riders will take part in the Calistoga Half Mile autograph session along with the AMA Legends and current Grand National riders. They will also be interviewed in front of the Calistoga crowd.
Although the rider count was not what it usually is at the Chowchilla Speedway, the racing was some of the best of the season – and certainly the most fun.
Jack Jones was first in the Vintage contest, followed by Robert Morris, who pushed Jones, forcing him to work a little harder to keep the lead.
Jason Craven got his bike repaired after the last round and used it to win the Vet Expert class on this night.
Branden Weller led Aiden Bromstead to the checkers in the 65cc heat race, but it was Bromstead who showed the way in the main.
Quad riders Andrew Rogers and Keith Rousch won the Pro Quad heats, and Rousch went on to win the Dash For Cash and the Pro Quad main event. His envelope was pretty fat – full of green – when he left the track.
Andrew Rogers was back on the track in the Flat Track Open Amateur event. Frank Hannah led that pack to the checkers. His younger brother Robbie Hannah finished second. Rogers finished fourth, behind Travis Schank and ahead of Frank Young.
Mikey Rush led the Pro Expert main event from start to finish, although it was Brandan Bergen who got the holeshot and led the field into turn one. Bergen and Andrew Luker filled out the podium in second and third, respectively.
Luker not only took third in Chowchilla but also just received his AMA Pro card, paving his way to ride the Ramspur Winery Calistoga Half Mile.
The CFTA organization continues its unwavering commitment to improve racing in California, especially for the Youth riders. Over this winter, several practice dates will be announced for the new Chowchilla cushion track, and a short series is in the plans, sometime in January to March of 2015.
For more information about the California Flat Track Association, go to www.californiaFlatTrack .com.
Chowchilla Speedway
Chowchilla, California
Results: September 20, 2014 (Round 5 of 6)
65: 1. Branden Weller; 2. Aiden Bromstead.
65 HEADS UP: 1. Branden Weller; 2. Aiden Bromstead.
150 HEADS UP: 1. Zaden Florez; 2. Jacob Cascio; 3. Grant Holmes.
250 AM: 1. Travis Schank; 2. Jacob Dewey; 3. Don Crouch.
OPEN AM: 1. Franko Hannah; 2. Robbie Hannah; 3. Travis Schank; 4. Andrew Rogers; 5. Frank Young.
OPEN EX: 1. Evan Anders; 2. Bobby Bolin.
PRO EX: 1. Mikey Rush; 2. Tony Meiring; 3. James Monaco; 4. Brandan Bergen; 5. Andrew Luker; 6. Michael Inderbitzen; 7. Evan Anders; 8. Beau Thompson; 9. Cody Bohannan; 10. Helder Alvernaz.
VET EX: 1. Jason Craven; 2. Helder Alvernaz; 3. Kay Bell.
VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT EX: 1. Jack Jones; 2. Robert Morris.
VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT EX: 1. Tim Rott.
PRO QUAD DASH FOR CASH: 1. Keith Rousch.
PRO QUAD MAIN: 1. Keith Rousch.