Winternationals Champ Torres defeats Wiechmann for Fontana Pro Gas title

By Bob Johnson
Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway Fontana, CA July 2, 2006

Winternationals champion Val Torres Jr. grabbed his second event win of the season when he won the Russ Harris Memorial Race at Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway, stopping the events number one qualifier in the final round of the Southern California Pro Gas Assoc., fifth race of the season.

Sixty-two cars entered the hot summer race, with track temperatures exceeding 140 degrees, while air temperatures were above 100 degrees at Fontana. Paul Wiechmann nailed down the number one qualifying spot with his ’85 Olds with a perfect 9.900. Brenden Herem and Dave Coapstick were second and third with 9.901 times, and Gary Ross and Randy Bowers clicked 9.902’s for the fourth and fifth spots. In all, fifteen cars ran on the 9.90 index

In the quarterfinals, Randy Balough let one get by him as he ran a 9.968 (.008 r.t.) to lose to Gary Ross’s IROC Camaro at 9.919 (.051 r.t.). Wiechmann used a .008 light to stop Vince Campa as he was too quick with a 9.881, Dwight Strickland’s Pinto ran 9.901 to beat Race #4 runner-up Hollis Colleasure (9.910, -.029 red light), and Torres Jr. (9.937 .030 r.t.) edged Dave Stafford’s ’89 Beretta, losing with a 9.958, .024 r.t.).

In the semifinals, Wiechmann advanced with a win over Strickland 9.927, 142.36 (.035 r.t.) to a losing 9.945, 138.53 (.026 r.t.), and Torres Jr. moved to the final as Ross committed a staging infraction.

The final was a double breakout match, with Torres, Jr.’s ’98 Firebird getting the win with 9.883, 154.05 (.032 r.t.) while Wiechmann lost with a 9.855, 141.13 (.034 r.t.).

Torres Pontiac is sponsored by Val Torres Construction, while Wiechmann credits Meziere Enterprises, Taylor Motorsports, Steve White Transmissions, Converter Shop, Shaver Specialties, Harris Family Racing and wife Jeannie for his success, and expressed get well wishes to Rich Okerman, Bill Ohmer, and Dave Fargo, who are recovering from illnesses.

With three races remaining on the 2006 schedule, Jim Israel is holding on to a 16-point lead over Jim Sowards, 2822 to 2806. Doug Sedmak is third with 2425 and ’04 Champ Mike Blodgett Sr. is fourth with 2416.

Despite missing race #5, the SoCal Pro Gas Shootout still has Bill Ohmer’s Nova leading with 43 points, Rich Okerman, also absent at race 5 due to illness, is second with 31 points, and Rick Webb is third with 30. The remaining drivers in the current “top 8” include: Dave Coapstick (29 points); Doug Sedmak (23); Russ Hester (20); Paul Wiechmann (20); and Val Torres Sr. (17). Changes to this top eight will most likely take place, as six drivers have 16 points and an additional five have 15 points.

Ray's Notes