By Mike Clother

Trapp gets Birthday wish with feature win at Wenatchee.

Because of bad luck, a flat tire during time trials, and good fortune, a total inverted start, Dave Trapp started on the pole for the Vintage Modified 35-lap main event at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval. He led from flag to flag capturing a win on his Birthday weekend at the racetrack that has been absent from the Modified schedule for many years.

Some new faces were present at WVSO. Two-time champion Bobby Wheeler returned to try out this super fast ¼ mile track. Brand new driver/owner Josh Pedersen was on hand with a car he purchased in pieces with much assembly required. Josh and his uncle, John Mustered, and his crew did an excellent job getting it ready for this race. Josh provided it with striking yellow paint and a green and silver flame job. Great looking car.

Points leader Bob Fulmer had a fast time of 14:45 seconds. Sorry Bob, “the” fast time was set by Jim Jones, 14:44 seconds. These two were in a class by themselves with the next fastest car 3 tenths slower.

The A dash was lead off by Robert Rux and Mike Clother, followed by Fulmer and Jones. Clother got a great start on what turned out to be a short hot lap session. Sorry Mike, when the actual race started Rux got the jump and the trophy four laps later.

B heat action had new guy Petersen on the pole with Dave Trapp to his right. Ray Hobbs had jumped into Bob Stubbs’ car and was on the second row followed by his son Kiel. Chuck Peterson (with an “o” and no relation to pole sitter Josh) was outside second row follow by Mustered, the other Petersen’s uncle. You really need a program to follow all this. Trapp got the early lead and left Petersen battling to hold second. He prevailed for a couple of laps but made one slight mistake, loosing many positions. Trapp won this one with Wheeler a distant second with K Hobbs and Peterson (with an “o”) close behind.

Ike Hoskinson, driving for Leonard Schmidt, lead off the A heat. He was flanked by Mustered. Rux and Clother comprised the second row. Fast guys Fulmer and Jones brought up the rear. The sun was low in the sky by this time and visibility was poor on the back straightaway. In spite of that challenge, or perhaps because of it the race was well contested and won by Hoskinson with Clother on his bumper. Jones, Mustered, Fulmer and Rux followed in behind.

In the main Jim Milligan took over the reins of Stubbs’ entry and was relegated to the rear of the field due to the driver change. “New guy” Petersen elected to start in the rear for his first main event. Birthday boy Trapp was the pole sitter with Chuck Peterson to his right. Wheeler and Hoskinson followed them. Rux and Clother made up the third row. Just behind them fast guys for the night Fulmer and Jones. Because of a club rule requiring previous main event winners to start in the rear of the next main event Kiel Hobbs and Mustered started well back in the field. The inside line got the jump at the start. Clother, sensing a hole, cut in front of Fulmer to move up to 4th behind Rux. Jones passed Fulmer and Clother on the high side and as the yellow flag flew was promptly black-flagged for an oil leak on lap 7. On the restart Fulmer got around Clother and was working on Rux as Jones re-entered the race just ahead of the leaders. Fulmer’s car suddenly lost power, electrical gremlins at work, bringing out the second caution flag of the event at lap 12. As Fulmer was pushed to the pits Jones moved to the rear of the pack, thinking he may still be on the lead lap. As it turned out it wouldn’t matter. On the restart Clother got on the outside of Rux and was able to take over third place. Jones’ problems continued as his transmission case split soaking the track with gear oil. As Peterson and Rux slid in Jones’ oil Mustered slipped by them to gain two positions before the yellow was displayed. Because of the extensive amount of cleanup needed the race was red flagged. Trapp was still out front (boring) with Wheeler in second. On the restart Clother made the same outside move on Wheeler that allowed him to pass Rux. The two ran side-by-side for several laps before Clother made a slight slip up allowing Wheeler to take over sole ownership of second place. Birthday boy Trapp still held first place, Wheeler and Clother battling behind him, as those three pulled away from the rest of the field. At the completion of 35 laps that’s how they finished. Trapp got his first win of the season, Wheeler held onto second and Clother had to be satisfied with third. Fourth place was Mustered followed by Jim Milligan, Rux, Peterson (“o”), Hoskinson. Although “new guy” Petersen was the last car running everyone agreed he ran a good race and will be a force to be reckoned with once he gets some more seat time.

Everyone had a great time at WVSO and look forward to running there many times in the future. Next stop for the V Mods is South Sound Speedway on June 21.