2023gashammersround1 Beatlead
Ryan Beat en route to victory Monday at King of Hammers. (Shaun Ochsner photo)

The Beat Goes On In Hammertown

JOHNSON VALLEY, Calif. — The Great American Shortcourse series held its season opener on a fresh-built track at the King of the Hammers on Monday afternoon.

Round one of the series did not disappoint. Hundreds of race fans were already on the Johnson Valley lakebed for the prestigious King of the Hammers events and they were excited to see some door-to-door, short course racing action.

In the Pro2 race, Ronnie Anderson was out front leading most of the laps. Even with caution flags Anderson stayed in front of the chaos. With just two laps to go a mechanical failure would end Anderson’s day. Rowdy Ryan Beat capitalized on Anderson’s misfortune and brought home the victory.

In Pro-Buggy, Lorenzo Bonacci had the fastest laps in his Bomber Eyewear machine. Bonacci managed to stay out front most of the race.

In the Pro-Lite class, Connor Barry was out front for the first half of the race. Barry made a mistake opening the door for his competitors to pass him but during a mandatory caution, Barry shot right back to the lead to bring home the checkered flag.

In the youth class, Modified Kart is always a highly competitive short course race. Cade Martin beat out sibling Talan Martin who finished second on the podium.

Other class wins went to Paul Obrien in Weller SR-1 UTV, George Lamosas in Production 1000, Ryan Rodriguez in Class 11 and Brent Veenstra in the mini-stock class.