Marroquin Opens Lead With 2nd-Place Finish

Michael Trogdon of Nipomo used his front-row position to propel him to a 20-lap IMCA Modified main-event victory Saturday night at Ventura Raceway.

Trogdon edged current season points leader Ray Marroquin at the finish line by half a car length for his second main-event win of the season at Ventura and his second win overall.

Steve Clinkenbeard of Bakersfield was third and Bob McMahon of Port Hueneme was fourth.

Marroquin benefited greatly from the absence of Steve Rowe of Fillmore, who trailed Marroquin by only six points in the standings. By virtue of his second-place finish, Marroquin opened a 44-point spread with four races left.

Harry Boudakian of Visalia came from the last row and powered to the inside of Craig Silveria of Tulare at the start-finish line on Lap 22 to pull away and win the Golden State Mini Sprint 30-lap main event.

Boudakian already had won the California Mini Sprint championship earlier in the season but he was not involved in the Northern Stars Sprint championship, which was running its final race of the season at Ventura.

By virtue of his second-place finish, Rick Carstens of Fresno claimed the Northern Stars title by a single point over Danny Browne of Concord, who held a 13-point lead over Carstens at the beginning of the evening.