Calistoga Speedway
Drake takes Calistoga's first Late Model race
By Stephanie Odom
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Steve Drake won the first-ever Late Model event at Calistoga Speedway. (Paul Trevino Racing Photos)
CALISTOGA, Calif. (June 11) — Steve Drake of San Luis Obispo, Calif., put his name in the history books Saturday night, winning the first Late Model race ever held at Calistoga Speedway when the half-mile racetrack hosted a race co-sanctioned by the West Coast Shootout Late Model Series and the DIRTcar Western All-Star Series. Drake earned $2,000.
After the race, Drake was impressed with the scenic Napa County racetrack that first began hosting races in 1937. | Slideshow
“It was a great track for our first time here and there was great racing," Drake said. "We’ll come back.”
Polesitter Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas, Calif., jumped out to the lead on the start of the 30-lap race with Mike Kirby of Torrance, Calif., following in the second position. Kirby began to apply heavy pressure for the top spot as the two leaders approached slower traffic. But Hogge was able to fend off the challenge and soon Drake overtook Kirby for second.
Drake quickly closed in on the high-running Hogge, sweeping underneath to grab the lead. Drake led the remainder of the event, dicing his way through traffic with Hogge following and third- running Mike Johnson of Lompoc, Calif., closing in.
While Drake raced to the victory, Hogge made contact with the turn-four wall, allowing Johnson to move by and score the runner-up finish. Hogge regained his composure and held on to third place while fourth went to Clay Daly of Watsonville, Calif. Nick Bartels of El Segundo, Calif., finished fifth.
WCS-Western Allstars @ Calistoga: (1) Steve Drake, (2) Mike Johnson, (3) Bobby Hogge IV, (4) Clay Daly, (5) Nick Bartels, (6) Tommy Malcolm, (7) Rob Sanders, (8) Trevor Glaser, (9) Chris Shannon, (10) Tony Toste, (11) Jeff Decker, (12) Andy Obertello (13) Dino Napier, (14) Clay Guglielmoni, (15) Paul Guglielmoni, (16) Shawn DeForest, (17) Mike Kirby, (18) Jason Papich, (19) Richard Papenhausen, (20) John Silva. Fast qualifier: (among 32 cars): Kirby. Heat race winners: Kirby, Bartels, Hogge. Consolation winner: Glaser.
