Cerven Rallies to Take Flag at Saugus

The 25-lap Street Stock oval main event at Saugus Speedway on Saturday night became a two-man race between Ron Cerven of Palmdale and Jeff Saelid of San Dimas after leader Russ Wolff of Palmdale pulled out under a yellow flag on the seventh lap.

Saelid inherited the lead when racing resumed, but Cerven, the division’s points leader, made a smooth pass on the backstretch of Lap 16 then held off Saelid before a crowd of 3,445.

In the 25-lap Mini Stock main event, Terry Limberopoulos of Bellflower tailed John Petsco of Newbury Park for the entire race but could not pass him. Petsco entered the race fifth in the points standings.

Greg Symonds of Agoura Hills, third in the points standings, finished third.

The start of the 40-lap Sportsman main event, still in progress at press time, was marred for the second consecutive week by a smoky, multi-car crash, this time on the opening lap.

No one appeared to be injured, but proceedings were delayed for 20 minutes and the race was restarted.

With the pack entering Turn 3, pole-sitter Joe Heath of Northridge appeared to be forced into the wall by heavy traffic.

Heath, who was involved in last week’s front-straightaway pileup, had his car hooked up at both ends to a pair of two trucks and towed to the pits.

Also involved in the crash were Rodney Preacher of Sepulveda, Pat Mintey Jr. of Quartz Hill, Lance Hooper of Palmdale, Larry Krieger of Reseda and Sean Woodside of Saugus.

In other races, Rick Nyberg of Mission Hills finished first among a field of 11 drivers to win the 15-lap Hobby Stock oval main event. Rich Ocheltree of Van Nuys moved ahead of Randy Goldsmith of Cerritos on the last lap to finish second.