Post by Webmaster on Mar 16, 2009 23:30:08 GMT -5
IMPERIAL, Calif. (Jan. 17-18) – Lance Mari had more than 20 sanctioned shows under his belt before picking up his IMCA Modified career first feature win.
He only needed one more start to get his second victory.
Mari swept the season-opening weekend at Imperial Valley Speedway, taking the $1,000 checkers in Jan. 17 and 18 events. Both races were qualifiers for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.
“It just took some time,” acknowledged Mari, after collecting the checkers in a self-built MRT car. “We thrive on a really slick track. Hopefully this weekend will help get our name out as a driver and a builder.”
He’d started eighth in Saturday’s 25-lapper, working his way into the lead by midway and beating teammate Keith Smith to the stripe by a comfortable margin.
David Lord, Randy Brown and Jared Hall rounded out the top five.
Mari made his way to the front from 12th starting on Sunday, passing eventual runner-up Don Pannel with just a hand ful of circuits to go. Lord, Ernie Allen and Andy Rogers followed.
After starting the season with a six hour trip to Death Valley Raceway and 12th and 17th place finishes, Mari only had to drive three miles to get to Imperial and enjoy a much better weekend on the track.
Along with weekly shows in California and Arizona, he’s planning to follow the Rotating Right Wild West Modified Southern Tour.
He only needed one more start to get his second victory.
Mari swept the season-opening weekend at Imperial Valley Speedway, taking the $1,000 checkers in Jan. 17 and 18 events. Both races were qualifiers for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.
“It just took some time,” acknowledged Mari, after collecting the checkers in a self-built MRT car. “We thrive on a really slick track. Hopefully this weekend will help get our name out as a driver and a builder.”
He’d started eighth in Saturday’s 25-lapper, working his way into the lead by midway and beating teammate Keith Smith to the stripe by a comfortable margin.
David Lord, Randy Brown and Jared Hall rounded out the top five.
Mari made his way to the front from 12th starting on Sunday, passing eventual runner-up Don Pannel with just a hand ful of circuits to go. Lord, Ernie Allen and Andy Rogers followed.
After starting the season with a six hour trip to Death Valley Raceway and 12th and 17th place finishes, Mari only had to drive three miles to get to Imperial and enjoy a much better weekend on the track.
Along with weekly shows in California and Arizona, he’s planning to follow the Rotating Right Wild West Modified Southern Tour.