Arizona Motorplex
Payne captures Trimmer Classic finale in Tucson
Jeremy Payne (02) raced to victory at Tucson over teammate R.C. Whitwell (002). (dennisbrownfield.com)
TUCSON, Ariz. (Oct. 16) — Tucson native Jeremy Payne, visiting from new racing base in Springfield, Mo., led all 25 laps Saturday at USA Raceway for a $1,000 victory in the finale of the second annual Carl Trimmer Classic. Payne, driving a Jeff Sires-owned car, earned his first career victory on the Total Seal Southwest Dirt Racing Association. | Slideshow
Hometown driver R.C. Whitwell, driving as a teammate to Payne, came from his fifth starting spot to finish second, giving Sires a 1-2 finish. Canadian visitor Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was third followed by Nick Bartels of El Segundo, Calif. Steve Drake of San Luis Obispo, Calif., winning of Friday's feature, rounded out the top five.
SWDRA points leader Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., finished seventh.
Notes: The winning GRT Race Car, based in Silver City, N.M., is sponsored by EDG Fuels, Evisions, Hobbytown USA and Don's Hot Rod Shop. ... USA Raceway has more major events coming up the next few months. The Nov. 18-20 Western World Championships features Lucas Oil ASCS sprint cars. ... The sixth annual Wes Hurst Memorial for modifieds is scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. ... Super Late Models returns to Tucson on Jan. 7-16 for the fifth annual Wild West Shootout, which features six complete events.
Carl Trimmer Classic: (1) Jeremy Payne, (2) R.C. Whitwell, (3) Mike Balcaen, (4) Nick Bartels, (5) Steve Drake, (6) Dean Moore, (7) Ricky Thornton Jr., (8) Lonnie Parker Jr., (9) Clay Daly, (10) Bill Bartels, (11) Brad Williams, (12) Garrett Alberson, (13) Jason Papich, (14) Tommy Hussak III, (15) Art Lacy, (16) Joey Moriarty, (17) Karl Tipton, (18) Anthony Madrid, (19) Keith Noyes, (20) Tony Toste. Heat race winners (among 24 cars): Balcaen, Whitwell, Parker. Consolation winner: Alberson.
