Calistoga Speedway
Hogge wins $2,000 in Calistoga's WCS race
By Stephanie Odom
West Coast ShootoutCALISTOGA, Calif. (Aug. 4) — Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas, Calif., added another line to his already impressive resume Saturday night at Calistoga Speedway, becoming just the second Late Model driver ever to win at the half-mile oval. Hogge's West Coast Late Model Shootout victory paid $2,000.
Hogge was followed across the finish line by Ryan McDaniel of Yuba City, Calif., and Nick Bartels of El Segundo, Calif., Defending series champion Clay Daly of Watsonville, Calif., was fourth with Tony Toste of Pismo Beach, Calif., rounding out the top five.
Starting alongside Jason Papich of Nipomo, Calif., on the front row, Hogge quickly jumped to the point on the initial start until the race’s first caution waved for Steve Drake.
Drake won last year’s inaugural Late Model event at Calistoga but wasn’t as fortunate this time around as he lost his left-front tire in turn one and two.
Hogge jumped back to the front on the restart as fourth-starting McDaniel moved by Papich for the second spot.
Matt Micheli spun exiting turn four bringing out the second caution of the night. Following the restart a third caution was brought out for Andy Obertello as he came to a stop along the turn-four wall.
Racing resumed with Bartels applying heavy pressure to McDaniel for second. He wasn’t able to complete the pass, however, as Tom Sullivan brought out another caution when he hit the turn-three wall with five laps to go.
Just as he had for the entire 30-lapper, Hogge ran uncontested in the final run to the finish while McDaniel held off Bartels for second.
WCS @ Calistoga: (1) Bobby Hogge, (2) Ryan McDaniel, (3) Nick Bartels, (4) Clay Daly, (5) Tony Toste, (6) Rob Sanders, (7) Jason Papich, (8) Anthony Restad, (9) Mike Kirby, (10) Paul Gugliemoni, (11) Steve Johnson, (12) Mike Meazel, (13) Dennis Souza, (14) Mike Johnson, (15) Tom Sullivan, (16) Andy Obertello, (17) Bill Bartels, (18) Matt Michelli, (19) Mike Meazel, (20) Steve Drake.
