It was probably one of the most unlikely wins in the storied racing career of Troy Regier but the WSSRL Super Modified driver gladly took it. Regier, who trailed 48 out of the 50 laps, stayed the course and found a way to win his eighth 'Vukovich Classic' Saturday night at the Madera Speedway.
Regier, who has breezed to wins in previous Vukovich Classics, found himself following Jeff Russell for the majority of the race before Russell was clipped by Jim Tartaglia on lap 47. Russell spun out and was sent to the fourth spot while Tartaglia, who passed Regier, moved into the front of the race, leaving Regier in second. After the restart, Regier passed Tartaglia on lap 49 and won the race.
"I just kind of got lucky on that one and counted myself out about 10 times in that race," Regier said after the race in the winner's circle. "We for sure didn't have the winning car tonight but I'll take it. It was a good race and I hope the fans enjoyed it."
While Regier took first place and Tartaglia finished second, Russell must have felt like the rug was pulled from underneath him as he came in third.
"It hurts and I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight," Russell said after the race. "We try so hard and do our homework. We don't have a whole lot of money, so we do the best we can with what we have. We had this race tonight."
Russell did everything necessary to put himself in position to win back-to-back Vukovich Classics as he established his place early and continued to stay ahead of Regier, Tartaglia, and Ernie Coppo.
"I led the race the whole time, the car was really good and I was taking the high line like you do at Madera," Russell said. "Troy was working underneath me but I knew he couldn't come off as good as I could so I stayed up high where I was running the grove well the whole time. Then on lap 47, the (Tartaglia's) car got underneath me and I don't think Jimmy intentionally ran into me but he stuck his nose in there and loosened me up, spun me out and cost me a win."
After the race was over, Russell got out of his car and exchanged a few words with Tartaglia. When it was all said and done, Russell accepted the outcome of the heartbreaking loss and took the high road.
"Nobody wants to get their car tore up and my crew is a fantastic and they needed this win and I needed it," Russell said. "At least we had put on a good race for the crowd but in my heart, we won this race and got it taken away. That's alright because we can come back, I like challenges. Troy's fast but he's making us faster too."
While the WSSRL Super modified were rounding the track, the 360 Super Modifieds joined them as there were two races going on at the same time. Two-time defending 360 Super Modified Track champion, Dave Tuey, came in fifth place overall and first in his class.
Other drivers to come in first in their class were Mark Holman, who won the 75-lap Western Late Model race and Donny Darter, who won the 30-lap American Legend Stock Car race. Each race belonged to both drivers as they led from the first lap on.
While Holman came in first in the Late Models, Danny Guibor took second and Ross Strmiska finished third.
BCRA Midgets' driver Justin Grant won the 30-lap race while Shannon McQueen came in second and Michael Faccinto rounded out the top three.
Correction
Incorrect statements were made in an article in the April 2 edition of the Tribune. Kenny Shepherd, promoter of Madera Speedway, is not associated in any capacity with Riverside Motorsports Park or its subsidiary Altamont Motorsports Park, and Madera Speedway is not relate to either company. Madera Tribune apologizes for any confusion this error may have caused.
