Perris Raceway
Perris, California

2009 Clubman National Championship
September 20, 2009 - Perris Raceway
By: Ryan Evans

Joey Holt and Chris Jones both claimed National Championships at the Clubman Amateur National Championships at Perris Raceway.

The fourteen rider field was pared down to five for the Second Division National Championship Final. Holt entered the Final with a perfect score and wisely selected gate one. The teenager made the best start with Josh Abbott in tow. Abbott, who suffered his only previous defeat at the hands of Holt, chased after the leader. Holt remained steadily in front, though, and never gave Abbott the opportunity he was looking for. Holt was first to the checkered flag, Abbott settled for second, Rick Fehrman was third, Steve Dziadus finished fourth, and R.J. Becerra was fifth.

The day began with eleven competitors in Third Division, but only five would race in the Third Division National Championship Final. Chris Jones, who entered the main event undefeated, led the first start while Michael Novratil, also unbeaten on the day, was battling Tim McGrath for second. Exiting turn two for the third time, McGrath and Novratil clashed with both riders going down hard. Novratil was able to get upright within a couple minutes, but McGrath was down longer. He did eventually get up, but was unable to restart due to a shoulder injury.

Novratil led the restart before Jones went by on the back straight. The former sidecar competitor, who has been dominating Third Division since taking up speedway, never looked back from there and sped away with the title. Novratil finished second, Ralph Chudy was third, Mike Wiley was fourth, and McGrath was credited with fifth.

Nicky Reimer held off Samuel Ramirez and Maxwell Ruml to claim the Youth Second Division National Championship.

Hayley Perrault led the Youth Third Division Championship for a lap before Major Davis went by on the back straight. Davis led the rest of the way and was first to the checkered flag. Perrault was second, Ryan Vaughn finished third, Dylan Ruml was fourth, Jacob Wondolowski finished fifth, and Michael Wells was sixth.

Reimer wasn’t satisfied with just one title as he was victorious in the Pee Wee First Division National Championship Final as well. Wondolowski finished second and Victoria Matthews was third.

Nick Varner was triumphant in the Pee Wee Second Division National Championship Final. Wells finished second, Summer Fehrman was third, and Dakota Shockley finished fourth.

Amanda Ramirez proved to be the queen of the oval by claiming victory in the Powder Puff National Championship Final. Cassi Novratil was second, Ally McGrath finished third, Matthews was fourth, Breann Varner finished fifth, Julie Shockley was sixth, and Summer Fehrman finished seventh.

In addition to the amateur championships, four riders competed in First Division, which held undercard status on the afternoon. Austin Novratil won two of the four heats with a very impressive Doug Nicol coming out of retirement and getting two heat wins.

In the “Sandbagger” Main Event, Novratil claimed the victory with Nicol chasing him but ultimately finishing second. John Marquez was third and Brad Pappalardo finished fourth.

The next speedway event at Perris Raceway is scheduled for this Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m.

RESULTS

First Division “Sandbagger” Main Event
181 – Austin Novratil
 98 – Doug Nicol
 41 – John Marquez
145 – Brad Pappalardo

Powder Puff National Championship Final
  4 – Amanda Ramirez
288 – Cassi Novratil
186 – Ally McGrath
  6 – Victoria Matthews
 78 – Breann Varner
 11 – Julie Shockley
  8 – Summer Fehrman

Pee Wee Second Division National Championship Final
  3 – Nick Varner
  1 – Michael Wells
  8 – Summer Fehrman
 34 – Dakota Shockley

Pee Wee First Division National Championship Final
 41 – Nicky Reimer
251 – Jacob Wondolowski
  6 – Victoria Matthews

Youth Third Division National Championship Final
999 – Major Davis
  0 – Hayley Perrault
127 – Ryan Vaughn
111 – Dylan Ruml
251 – Jacob Wondolowski
 14 – Michael Wells

Youth Second Division National Championship Final
 41 – Nicky Reimer
 22 – Samuel Ramirez
356 – Maxwell Ruml

Third Division Last Chance
101 – Mike Wiley
362 – Ralph Chudy
231 – Gene Stone
174 – Arie Gardner
181n – Billy Vaughn
198 – Mike Boyle

Third Division National Championship Final (restarted)
116 – Chris Jones
181 – Michael Novratil
362 – Ralph Chudy
101 – Mike Wiley
186 – Tim McGrath		(non starter – restart)

Second Division Last Chance
240n – Rick Fehrman
201n – R.J. Becerra
274 – Bubba Vazzana
252 – Jeff Remington		(fell)
228 – Bobby Campbell		(non starter)

Second Division National Championship Final
244 – Joey Holt
141 – Josh Abbott
240n – Rick Fehrman
212 – Steve Dziadus
201n – R.J. Becerra 		(retired)