Rod Johnson Jr made a family affair championship. Photo by Anne Cypress.
(Irwindale, Ca) – An estimated 3,500 fans watched four drivers crowned on the second to last night of the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale season.
Both Ken Michaelian and Larry Cerquettini continued their dominance in their perspective divisions.
In the same race two champions were crowned when Rod Johnson Jr and Dalton Kuhn battled together in the 100 lap Truck Extravaganza.
Daryl Scoggins made the LAPD proud as he won his first championship in the Mini Stocks.
CLASSIC STOCKS – 30 LAPS
Ken Michaelian put an exclamation point on a incredible 2009 season as he went on to dominate the final Classic Stock race of the year. It was his tenth win of the season.
It took Michaelian twenty-laps to get to the front after starting in the back of the pack. He would pass eventual second place finisher Tommy Agosta.
Agosta would lead ten laps on the evening, but only led for one lap prior to being passed for the lead by Michaelian.
Mike Colato would lead laps 10 to 20 prior to pulling the car into the pits for engine problems.
Ken Michaelian was dominant in Classic Stocks. Photo by Anne Cypress.
Michaelian’s father Harry finished third to complete the podium.
MINI STOCKS – 35 LAPS
Daryl Scoggins won his first Justice Brothers Mini Stock championship in fine fashion by getting the lead on the 25th lap and never looking back.
The win was Scoggins seventh of the season.
Second place finisher in the championship race was a non-factor in the race and eventually finished fourth in the race.
The only other leader of the race was Tom Dye who led the 25 laps before being passed by Scoggins and fading to fifth at the end of the race.
Rod Schmitt and Kevin Bernhardt rounded out the podium.
Daryl Scoggins and Kermit on their way to a Justice Brothers Mini-Stock title. Photo by Anne Cypress.
VISTA PAINT SUPER STOCKS – 35 LAPS
For the ninth time in twelve races, Larry Cerquettini took the checkered flag in the Vista Paint Super Stocks. He was also crowned champion of the division.
“It feels unbelievable,” said Cerquettini. “I don’t think it has set in that I am the champion of the Vista Paint Super Stocks.”
Cerquettini was able to get to the lead on the 13th lap as he passed Rich DeLong. Both drivers pulled clear of the third place finisher ten laps into the race and were battling for the lead throughout the race.
DeLong was unable to get the lead back when he was passed by Cerquettini.
DeLong snuck into second of the final championship standings when he finished three positions ahead of Ken Brown who was two points ahead coming into tonight.
Gary Read finished in third.
Larry Cerquettini finished a championship season with a win. Photo by Anne Cypress.
DRIVE TECH LATE MODELS – 25 LAPS
Michael Zschoche was the winner of the Drive Tech Late Models. The race is exclusive to those who take part in the Drive Tech driving school.
Bradly Lloyd and David Arnold rounded out the podium.
TRUCK EXTRAVANGZA – (King Taco Super Truck and Southwest Tour Truck) – 100
For the first time in Toyota Speedway at Irwindale history, a father-son combination have become champions.
Ten years previously, Rod Johnson took the inaugural Super Late Model title and Rod Johnson Jr took the King Taco Super Trucks title tonight.
Johnson went wire-to-wire during the 100 lap race. It was his eighth win of the season.
In the closest title chase at Toyota Speedway this season, it wasn’t decided until the final lap as Johnson had to sweat out a green-white-checkered finish.
It appeared that Johnson was on his way to a dominating victory only to have a caution flag thrown when debris was found in turn two.
When they threw the green on the re-start Johnson pulled clear and held off Pat Mintey Jr for the win and the title.
The 100 lap race also had the Southwest Tour Trucks involved and saw Dalton Kuhn take the track Championship. Kuhn’s father also took the Grand American Modified title in 2001 at Toyota Speedway.
Kuhn was the only Southwest Tour driver who finished in the top ten.
CLASSIC STOCKS – 30 LAPS
1. Ken Michaelian
2. Tommy Agosta
3. Harry Michaelian
JUSTICE BROTHERS MINI STOCKS – 35 LAPS
1. Daryl Scoggins
2. Rod Schmitt
3. Kevin Bernhardt
VISTA PAINT SUPER STOCKS – 35 LAPS
1. Larry Cerquettini
2. Rich DeLong
3. Gary Read
DRIVE TECH LATE MODELS – 25 LAPS
1. Michael Zschoche
2. Bradly Lloyd
3. David Arnold
TRUCK EXTRAVAGANZA – 100 LAPS
1. Rod Johnson Jr
2. Pat Mintey jr
3. Jeff Peterson
4. Ryan Partridge
5. Dennis Arena
6. Joe Anderson
7. Andrew Anderson
8. Ryan Fortier
9. Dalton Kuhn – Southwest Truck Tour
10. Todd Cameron
Leave a Reply