Carrick captures first win in speedway season

Lincoln’s Tanner Carrick had been ultra consistent this year at Placerville Speedway and on Burgers and Brew Night the 21-year-old put it all together for his first triumph of the season Saturday.

Joining Carrick in victory lane were Bakersfield’s Brody Fuson with the U.S. Auto Club Western States midgets, Waterford’s Dakota Albright with the Bay Cities Racing Association lightning sprints and Diamond Springs’ Dan Jinkerson with the pure stocks.

The enthusiastic crowd saw some wild action during the night. The 25-lap winged sprint car feature saw Carrick jump into the lead and easily distance himself from the rest of the pack. Lots of moving and shaking was going on behind him though as Seth Standley, Michael Faccinto, Landon Brooks, Tony Gomes, Michael Ing and others went back and forth.

Lap nine saw Gomes and Ing make contact, resulting in Ing coming to a stop over the edge of the corner. Once Ing was pushed off however, he drove up and contacted Gomes under caution, which saw both drivers come to a stop. The red lights were then flashed on and officials allowed Gomes to make repairs, while keeping his spot in fourth. Once going back green, two more laps were clicked off, before a caution waved again.

On the double file restart, point leader Faccinto shot into the lead, only to see the yellow lights come on for a jump start call. He was then docked two spots for being deemed early and on the ensuing restart things began to heat up again. With Carrick up front having his way, Gomes did his best to catch the leader.

A final restart with three laps to go saw Gomes keep him honest but Carrick hit his marks on the final circuit to accept the checkered flag. It marked his seventh career winged 360 triumph at the track.

Gomes finished second, with Brooks capping a strong night by finishing third. The Rio Oso racer set the fastest time and captured his heat race in exciting fashion earlier on. Faccinto