70-Year-Old Symonds Wins Saugus Main

Gregg Symonds of Agoura Hills, at 70 the oldest driver at Saugus Speedway, took the first checkered flag of his two-year career Saturday night in the 20-lap Mini Stock main event before a crowd of 3,642.

Symonds, who had never taken the wheel of a stock car until last season, also moved into the lead in the division’s points race. Symonds entered the evening one point behind leader Ed Fuller Jr., but by virtue of the win moved ahead of Fuller, who finished fifth.

“That was neat,” Symonds said, pulling off his helmet after parking his red and white Toyota Celica. “The first main event (victory) is always something. That was quite a battle out there. But I managed to hold them off.”

Symonds, who started third in the grid, roared past leader Ken Hewitt of Moorpark on Lap 15 when racing resumed after a yellow flag.

Pole-sitter Rick Nisbet of Lancaster was flagged off the track on Lap 5 when his car began to spew smoke. Hewitt inherited the lead with Symonds close behind.

After Symonds made his move, John Petsco of Newbury Park also passed Hewitt and Symonds barely held off both at the checkered flag.

In a crash-filled 25-lap Pro Stock oval main event, Steve Reynolds of Sylmar and Rip Michels of Arleta dueled for the lead at the head of a 25-car field before Reynolds beat Michels to the finish line by a half-length.

The race was halted four times because of smoky crashes. On Lap 19, Michels briefly moved ahead of Reynolds, but a yellow flag nullified the pass and Reynolds was awarded the lead when racing resumed.

The win was Reynolds’ first of the season. Greg Benner of Whittier finished third and Ed Horst of Reseda took fourth.

The 40-lap Sportsman main event was not under way at press time. In other races, Donald Rogers of Palmdale won the 10-lap Pro Stock figure-eight semi-main event. Three other drivers also advanced: Tim Huddleston of Sepulveda, Doc Werdon of Canyon Country and Neil Conrad of Arcadia.