MADERA, Calif. — The dream for many Mini Stock drivers in the pits came true for Brian Boman as he steered his No. 98 Ford Mustang to victory lane in the Olga’s California Dream 100 at Madera Speedway.
Boman overcame head gasket issues during Friday practice and a steep inversion that placed him 16th on the 26-car grid to claim the victory.
Nearly 40 mini stocks filled the pit area the one-third-mile speedway, with 32 taking qualifying times. The field was narrowed to 24 starters after a 20-lap B-main. The final two starting positions were awarded to Dan Myrick and Kevin Thompson after finishing one-two in the West Coast Sport Compact 40-lap race earlier in the evening.
A multi-car skirmish halted the race in the first corner.
Vic Theberge and Mike Audit collided, with the spinning Theberge collecting Vincent Giesegh and Jordan Carpenter. All three were unable to continue.
Cody Parenteau took over the lead on the outside on the restart. Joe Flowers, who started 17th, drove to fifth by lap six. The caution flew on lap five for Troy Palmer after he had his hood up onto his windshield. The Jerry Pitts Racing fast-time qualifier Justin Carson retired under the caution period.
When action resumed, Flowers and Audit tangled in turn three. The spin relegated both drivers to the rear on lap nine.
Boman knifed underneath Parenteau on the restart to lead lap nine. Drew Crenshaw and 18th starting Josh Cross also passed Parenteau by lap 12. Cross then took over second past Crenshaw on lap 18.
The field began encountering lapped traffic on lap 21. Flowers charged from the back to fifth on lap 23 — a hard-charging drive that ended with a large fire under the hood requiring a red flag on lap 34.
Cross dueled with Crenshaw for second on the restart before Crenshaw slowed with mechanical issues. Boman led Cross, Parenteau, Ryan McCaul and Barret Sugden into the lap-50 break for MAVTV interviews, adjustments and fuel.
Cross battled all over Boman for the lead on the restart, while McCaul faltered with smoke underneath his No. 49 machine. Tyler Palmer had an adventurous second half of the race as the Idaho driver attempted to challenge for the fifth position. Palmer ended up in the grass on the apron for half a lap but rejoined.
Cross and Boman entertained as they darted in and out of traffic in a close duel.
Nathan Cleaver lost a wheel and then Palmer did as well, which set up a two-lap shootout for the win after a grueling event. Boman drove away with the lead in hand while Cross slowed with mechanical woes on the No. 21 car.
Boman topped Parenteau, Sugden, Cross and Andrew Rusmey at the end of 100 laps.
Boman won $2,000 plus a $250 prize from J2 Racing for the best appearing dream car.
Other winners on Saturday night included Rick Thompson in the Madera Late Models, winning a back-and-forth restart battle with San Diego’s Olivia Manke. Bobby Hurst rounded out the top-three finishers.
Steve Schermerhorn won by just .035 seconds in a close race of Hobby Stock track champions over Manny Gonzales, Jr. in the 25-lap main event. Hailey Bugg finished third.
Tyler Ridley drove to victory lane in the MST main event over Bill Gorden and Joseph Holliday. Patrick Geiger was unable to finish after a tangle with Gorden in turn four on lap 14.