Dinger Rings Up Victory and Saugus Track Record

Scott Dinger followed up a record-breaking qualifying run by winning the Pro Stock oval main event during the 55th season opener at Saugus Speedway Saturday night before 4,624.

The Simi Valley resident started on the inside of the third row, but quickly improved his position with the help of a caution flag that slowed the action only one circuit into the 25-lap event.

Dinger, second in the Pro Stock class the past two seasons, moved past polesitter Kenny Marshall of Canoga Park heading into Turn 1 on the fourth lap and pulled away despite three more caution flags.

Earlier, Dinger eclipsed Sean Monroe’s qualifying record by .13 seconds with a time of 17.62 and also won the figure-eight heat race.

Sportsman driver Pat Mintey Jr. of Lancaster (16.06) and Grand American Modified driver Dave Blankenship (16.06) of Reseda also broke qualifying records.

Sal Rose of Van Nuys (Sportsman), Canyon Country’s John Watkinson III (Grand Am), Rich Ocheltree of Sherman Oaks (Pro Stock oval) and Reseda’s Richard Karvasek (Pro Stock figure eight) each won trophy dashes.

Heat races were won by Bruce Erickson of Littlerock and Riverside’s Dave Brandon (Sportsman), Gary Nazaroff of Covina and Northridge’s Tad Friday (Grand Am), Jeff Schrader of Santa Clarita and Northridge’s Keith Spangler (Pro Stock oval) and Dinger (Pro Stock figure eight).