This year, Bollman has raced at the third-mile paved Madera Speedway in the MAVTV nationally-televised Junior Late Model Series for drivers age 12-16. His goal is to become a professional racing driver.
In a nine-car field, Bollman, from Huntington Beach, was the third fastest qualifier. He started fifth and was the third and final leader on lap 31 of 35. He passed leader Jaron Giannini, from Las Vegas, on lap 29, but a caution flag negated that pass.
He beat Giannini, 14, and three-time Legends track champion Chad Schug. Bollman now ranks fifth in Irwindale points despite missing the first two of seven races because he did not reach the minimum age (12) until April 22.
The second first-time feature winner was Giovanni Scelzi, 17, from Fresno. The brother of Dominic and younger son of four-time NHRA champion Gary Scelzi made his first paved track and first stock car start a winning effort.
Scelzi raced a spec late model in the 40-lap feature. The 410 and 360 ci winged sprint car driver competes nationally with the World of Outlaws, All Star Circuit of Champions and others. He became the youngest-ever WoO main event winner last fall in Pennsylvania.
Gio competed in a 15-vehicle field (nine cars and six trucks) on the progressively-banked half-mile. Both series use the same crate GM spec 602 engine and have similar lap times. In April 2019 track officials merged them into one competitive race with separate points.
Gio practiced Thursday and Friday nights during regular open-practice sessions. He logged about 150 laps and learned to adjust his driving techniques from dirt to asphalt. It also was his first experience with a spotter in his ear.
RELATED: Scelzi Impresses With Recent Late Model Victory
Gio started seventh and was tenth on lap five. He was eighth two laps later, seventh on lap 10, fifth on lap 13, and fourth after a lap 14 caution flag. He was the leading car behind three trucks driven by veteran drivers.
On lap 20, Gio passed two trucks on the same lap and moved to second overall, only ten yards back of race leader Andrew Porter, 25. Porter and Scelzi battled evenly for six laps, with Porter outside and challenger Scelzi inside.
On lap 27, Szelzi took the lead from Porter after truck series point leader Lucas McNeil made the race a three-way battle. Scelzi, aboard the No. 50 RCF-built HPR team Chevy owned by Irwindale co-promoter Tim Huddleston, opened a ten-yard advantage over McNeil by the lap 40 checkers and won by .830 seconds.
Jagger Jones, 17, took third from Porter on lap 38. The top three cars were Scelzi, Jones and reigning series champion Kenny Smith, 72. The top three truckers were Lucas McNeil, Porter and Jacob McNeil. Fourteen of the 15 starters finished.
Gio called Tim Huddleston two weeks earlier and said he would like to become a NASCAR driver. They worked out a deal for Gio to drive his spec late model.
During his post-race, on-track interview, Gio told the estimated 2,000 spectators, “Thanks to my spotter. He walked me through it. I’d like to come back here and race more.”
He will have one more opportunity to race a spec late model this season on Oct. 12 — the season finale for the class.
Track management recently revised the 2019 season schedule to allow for use of Irwindale Speedway as a site for a new Universal Pictures action movie – Fast and Furious 9, starring Vin Diesel. The release date is May 22, 2020.
Filming of the movie at Irwindale will be from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2. Older race cars have been purchased by the film producer and current Irwindale racers will be hired as extras for the movie filming.