Brandon Carey won the non-wing finale of the Dual at Delta at Delta Speedway on Sunday. (Chris Cleveland Photo)
Brandon Carey won the non-wing finale of the Dual at Delta at Delta Speedway on Sunday. (Chris Cleveland Photo)

Carey Makes A Comeback During Delta Dual

Brandon Carey won the non-wing finale of the Dual at Delta at Delta Speedway on Sunday. (Chris Cleveland Photo)
Brandon Carey won the non-wing finale of the Dual at Delta at Delta Speedway on Sunday. (Chris Cleveland Photo)

STOCKTON, Calif. – Brandon Carey overcame a serious crash on Saturday night to win the Sunday Non-Wing finale of the fourth Dual at Delta at Delta Speedway presented by Financial Center Credit Union.

Carey and his family-run team made extensive repairs to their Ten-J Chassis to return in time for the $500 victory on the seventh-mile dirt oval.

The 2016 champion had significant contact with 2018 champ T.J. Smith in turn three during Saturday night’s feature, forcing Smith to miss Sunday’s action as well.

Saturday’s winner Mitchel Moles looked poised to run for the $400 bonus sweep money posted by Forbidden Motorsports and Joe W. Lewis Snap-On Tools.  Moles took the lead from the pole position and quickly closed on lapped traffic. An incident in turn three on lap six saw Moles crash hard, ending his bid for the win and the bonus.

Points leader Caden Sarale assumed the top position with the race’s next stoppage involving Cameron Paul in turn four.  Paul was unable to continue and surrendered fourth position.

Carey came to life on the restart using the bottom line.  He worked his way past Chad Laughton then pounced on Sarale.  He took the lead on lap 20 as they went side-by-side and three-wide through traffic.  Carey prevailed in the battle for the $500 win over Sarale, Laughton, Chris Hinkle, and Brandon Shaw.

Moles would not be denied as he turned his attention to the Super 600 main event.  He started the feature in sixth.  Cody Christensen went back and forth with Ashlyn Rodriguez for the lead for the opening two laps before Christensen broke free.

Moles closed quickly on the inside line, nabbing the lead on laps five and six.  Christensen answered back on lap seven, but Moles took the lead back on lap eight.  Moles proceeded to motor away for a commanding advantage for the $500 win.  Christensen held down second while 2018 champion Nikko Panella advanced up into third.  Ashlyn Rodriguez and points leader Caden Sarale rounded out the top-five with Saturday winner Raio Salmon finished seventh.

Gauge Garcia won his third $300 Delta feature of 2019, defending the lead on a one lap shootout to the finish over Jeffrey Pahule Jr.  Pahule led the first lap of the race and Garcia looked to take the lead on lap two.  Garcia’s move was nullified when Austin Wood flipped on the backstretch over the top of his sister Hailey. Austin was uninjured and continued without a top wing on the car.  Devon Courtnier made a strong bid from the outside to pass both Garcia and Pahule, taking the lead on lap nine.  Garcia got around Pahule for second but again was nullified when Austin Wood spun for a lap 12 caution.

Garcia finally cleared Pahule on the ensuing restart and clawed towards Courtnier.  They went side-by-side exiting turn four with Garcia leading lap 24.  Courtnier then spun in turn two, setting up a caution for a one lap run to the finish. Garcia maintained the top spot over Pahule, Jade Avedisian, tenth starting Izaak Sharp and Dalton Parreira at the finish.  Points leader Logan Trevino finished seventh.

Jr. Sprints points leader Lucas Mauldin led all 20 laps in the $200 to win feature.  The victory is his seventh of the year and gave him the sweep of the Dual races.  The sweep paid a $400 bonus, giving Mauldin $800 total for two nights of work in the youngest division at the speedway. Cash Lovenburg, Jett Barnes, Kellan Harper and Ty Lovenburg rounded out the top-five.