Sports

Martinez Driver Rallies For Antioch Victory

Troy Foulger makes a last-lap dash for the checkered flag in Saturday's IMCA main event.


Originally posted on IMCA.com

When you can hear the roar of the crowd over the roar of the race cars on the track, you know a thrilling battle is underway.

That was the case Saturday night at Antioch Speedway, when three-time track champ Troy Foulger of Martinez battled former champ Aaron Crowell to the wire in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified main event.

Crowell jumped into the lead early, staying ahead of encounters in a crash-filled main event that eliminated more than half of the field. Foulger did the same, but found himself having to gain nearly a straightaway’s distance from the leader with 10 laps to go.

“It took us a while (him and his car) to get going,” Foulger explained after the race. “We had replaced a flat tire earlier, and it took a while to get that cold tire worked in.”

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The fans came to their feet in the final laps of the race. Foulger tried the inside, racing alongside Crowell ever so closely that at times the two cars seemed one.

With a lap to go, Foulger went outside on the front stretch, and was able to use the momentum to make a pass in the second turn.

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“That was the most fun I have had racing – ever!” Foulger exclaimed in victory lane. “To race that close and not hit each other takes trust. He was champ here before I started racing. It is just so cool that we can race like that.”

Crowell, the 2004 Modified champ, was all smiles despite having victory snatched from him by Foulger.

“We finally got the car working right, and it felt good to be that fast,” Crowell said. “I wanted the win badly, but it was tough to hold Troy off. To be beaten by him is to be beaten by one of the best.”

David Michael Rosa brought home one of his best finishes in taking third. Mike Slaney and Sean Wilson chased him.

Other winners were Mark Garner in the Super Stocks, Jimmy Robbins in the Super Hobby Stocks, Ken Radabaugh in the Four Bangers and Zack Lynskey in the All-Star Wingless Sprint Car division.




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