HISTORIC SEASON AT DELTA CONCLUDES WITH CHAMPIONS DECIDED

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA (October 8, 2018) – One of the most successful championship seasons in the history of Delta Speedway presented by Financial Center Credit Union concluded Saturday with four drivers winning $1000 championships.

Across the 13 points races and the Delta round of the California Speedweek, an average of 95.8 competitors competed each night at the 1/7th mile dirt oval. Races spanned the Micro Sprint divisions of Super 600, Non Wing, Restricted, and Jr. Sprints. Saturday’s action also wrapped up the 16 race King of California which held four events each at each of the four weekly Micro Sprint venues in the state.

Nikko Panella did all he needed to do to hang on for the Super 600 championship, including qualifying second and then finishing second in the feature. Panella started eighth in the 30 lap feature but steadily marched forward before taking the second spot on lap 26. Washington visitor Chance Crum dominated the feature by leading all 30 laps. Panella was second ahead of Mitchel Moles, Jake Hagopian, and Keith Day, Jr. at the checkered flag. Second in points Raio Salmon could only muster an eighth place finish in the finale.

The stat line for Panella’s championship, adding to his 2016 CA Speedweek and Delta Restricted titles, included nine top fives and a win. He topped Salmon by 24 points. 2015 Delta Restricted champion Caden Sarale finished the season third in points ahead of 2014 Super 600 champion Travis Labat and 2012 Restricted champion Alex Panella. Joey Ancona was the unofficial King of California as well.

Restricted impressed all year in car counts and continued that trend with 29 entries on Saturday night. Caeden Steele led qualifying and finished seventh in the feature to hang on for a 20 point advantage for the 2018 championship. California Speedweek champion Dylan Bloomfield led all 25 laps of the feature to nab his fifth points victory of the year for third in the Delta championship. Devon Courtnier and Ashlyn Rodriguez rounded out the top-five in the standings. Nate Matherly was crowned the Rookie of the Year. Corey Day won the King of California with his third place effort in the main event.

Tyler “TJ” Smith completed his quest for a clean sweep of every Non Wing championship he entered, closing out the year with the $500 main event victory on Saturday night as well. Smith swept Delta Speedway, California Speedweek, Lemoore Raceway, and Keller Auto Raceway at Plaza Park. His dominant season saw six wins and four seconds during the Delta championship. He won the title ahead of Caden Sarale, two-time Non Wing champion Dan Mognaga, Brent Brooks, and Non-Wing rookie Angelina Dempsey as the top-five in the standings.

Dalton Parreira used a six win season to take the 2018 Jr. Sprint championship by 28 points over nearest rival Austin Wood. Parreira blew his engine on the eighth lap of Saturday’s feature, which allowed Wood to charge to his third win of the year in the 20 lapper. Caleb Debem is unofficially third in the points pending tech inspection ahead of TK O’Brien and Colton Key. Young Jett Barnes was the other driver to see victory lane in the class this year, with two early wins and several second place performances. Andy Hintz won the Rookie of the Year as well.

Delta Speedway’s largest event is quickly approaching with Turkey Bowl XVIII on October 26-27, presented by Jason Bright Racing. $2000 will be on the line in Saturday’s features for Super 600 and Non Wing, while Restricted will pay $1500 and Jr. Sprints will race for $500. Friday’s activities include hot laps, heat races, and qualifiers. Lower mains, pole shuffles, and the lucrative features are Saturday night. All race entries will be taken at the gate on Friday. Sponsorships are still available for this great event as well.

For more information on Delta Speedway presented by Financial Center Credit Union, follow us online at www.deltaspeedwaystockton.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Many thanks to Financial Center Credit Union, Lovotti Air, Motion Media Wraps, Van De Pol Petroleum, Interstate Truck Center, Von Euw Trucking, Morrill Industries, Sanborn Chevrolet, Genova Bakery, Price Rite Restaurant Equipment, Bruno’s Peppers, and Hoosier Tire West for their support of Delta Speedway’s season.