Allard fends off Trulli for 360 sprint car victory

Cameron Park’s Stephen Allard took over the Placerville Speedway 360 Sprint Car points lead after winning a highly entertaining 25-lap feature Saturday night.

Allard took the lead when incoming points leader Andy Forsberg dropped out with engine problems on lap 17.

Shingle Springs driver Justin Johnson led the 17-car field to green but saw his comfortable lead over Allard and Forsberg erased when Steve Dill spun and closed the top-three up nose-to-tail in turn two.

Forsberg took advantage to sweep past Allard and set his sights on Johnson. Allard followed Forsberg past Johnson but Forsberg had already pulled away by multiple car lengths.

Placerville’s Jimmy Trulli battled side-by-side with Johnson for third until the caution came out on lap 12  for Placerville’s James Sweeney and Nicole Miller entanglement and hard contact between Chris Masters and Matt Peterson.

On the restart, Forsberg went to the top side with Allard making a big move inside. Forsberg managed to drive away and the yellow came out for Billy Strange, Jr. who spun out in turn three.

Forsberg eventually pulled away but on lap 17 under yellow, Forsberg suffered engine woes and was forced to the pits in a surprising turn of events.

With Allard now in the top spot, Trulli challenged to the low side which allowed Sean Becker into the equation. Becker climbed outside Trulli in the final three laps and took second at the line.

Allard took his fourth win of the season ahead of Becker, Trulli, Johnson and outside pole sitter Charlie Cagle.

“We got going early and actually I made the wrong call following Justin into a corner and Andy got by me,” Allard said. “I don’t want to win a race like that (with Forsberg out) but I’ll take it.”

Twelve Limited Late Models were on hand for a 20-lap feature won by Matt Micheli. Jerry Bartlett ended up second ahead of Edens, Charlie Marrs and Jeff Olschowka.

Five caution flags meant plenty of excitement for the NorCal Dwarf Car 20-lap feature with 15 cars in competition. Ryan Winter took the win ahead of Jeremy Blackshere, Shawn Jones, Kevin Bender and Bryan Bender.

Matt Tilford was the class of the 12-car Pure Stock field, leading 15 laps for the win ahead of Les Friend, Scott Grunert, Chris Van Roekel, and Chris Curtiss.

The Red Hawk Casino Championship Series continues next Saturday at Placerville Speedway with “Mountain Democrat Kids Night.”