Newman Wins King’s Hawaiian Bread Event at L.A. County Raceway

By Bob Johnson
L.A. County Raceway Palmdale, CA April 17-18 2004

Chris Newman drove the Newman Family ’67 Chevy Nova to victory at the King’s Hawaiian Bread-sponsored event at L.A. County Raceway, defeating Jim Sowards in the final round and taking the point’s lead after two races.

The SoCal Pro Gas event began on Saturday, but persistent rain showers forced postponement of the event until Sunday morning.  Qualifying for the King’s Hawaiian Bread-sponsored event saw Glen Smith and Woody Tryon running right-on the 10.20 index with 10.200 times for the low qualifier awards.  Both drivers moved into the top eight in the Pro Gas Shootout, which is currently led by Doug Crumlich. 

Sixty-two cars went into the first round of eliminations, and Newman began his advancement to the final by stopping Randy Lazarus as Laz drew a .003 red light; in the second round he beat former champ Pete Bothe 10.189 (.011 r.t.) to a losing 10.175 (.027 r.t.); and in round three he got by Doug Crumlich, 10.215 (.015 r.t.) to a losing 10.284 (.022 r.t.).  Jim Sowards got to the final by defeating former Winternationals champ Brad Pierce in round one; he then defeated Pierce’s father-in-law Hollis Colleasure in round two; and in the third round he beat Las Vegas racer Jimmy Lintz, as Lintz went red by .002.

Quarterfinal round racing began with Newman defeating Doug Sedmak (red light); Craig Whelan beat Robert Christman; Jim Sowards stopped Woody Tryon; and Ray Cordeiro beat Randy Balough.  In the semifinal, Newman cut a .008 light to beat Whelan’s Vega (.017 r.t.), and Jim Sowards put his Corvette in the final with a 10.16, 149 as Cordeiro’s new Corvette was .006 too quick at the line and red lighted.

In the final round, Newman’s Wayne & Dave’s Automotive-sponsored Nova got the win with a 10.186, 144.34 (.011 r.t.) as Sowards lost with a 10.180, 142.62 (.011 r.t.) in the double-breakout final.

Chris Newman takes the points lead into the third event on the SoCal Pro Gas schedule will be at Famoso Raceway on May 16, with 1409 points, Jim Sowards is second with 1206, Craig Whelan is next with 1203, Woody Tryon has 1117, and Paul Wiechmann is fifth with 1109.

Ray's Notes