From The Grandstand

by Ron Rodda
June 21, 2006

Lincoln CA…Of all the promoters I have met since my writing career started in 1992, one of the most respected was Fred Brownfield. I had wanted to attend his Northwest Speedweek but it initially was held during what was the last week of school for me. When the dates changed to July, I was finally able to attend my first Northern Sprint Tour event and meet Fred.
Every time I had the opportunity to talk with Fred I came away with the same conclusion, he understands so well how thing should be done. He had the respect of drivers that followed his series and organizational skills that were second to none. Fred always had the drivers in mind when making decisions such as last year when he adjusted the schedule of events to get more track time for the less experienced drivers. Every driver or crewmember I ever talked to had only praise for the way Fred Brownfield ran his organization.


Fred Brownfield at Tulare in February for the National Sprint Tour
first ever event

Fred accomplished the amazing this year when he put together the National Sprint Tour in a very short time. When I saw him for the last time at Tulare Thunderbowl in February I told him that while some were critical of the new series, I was astounded and impressed by what he had been able to do in such a short time and his courage in taking the risk to make it happen. A very hands on type promoter, Fred was the heart of both NST series and we hope that someone can carry on his traditions.
We lost Fred Brownfield on June 16th. Every time we attend a race the memory of Fred will be with us. Our condolences to his wife, Debbie, his family, and everyone associated with his racing family.


The Friday of Dirt Cup in Washington offers the nonwing spec sprints the chance to be the headline act at Chico. This year a strong field of 39 appeared along with 13 dwarf cars, 11 pure stocks, and 9 modifieds. The usual draw heats advanced the top 4 to the main, creating 16 plus 4 from the B for a ten row main event, set for 20 laps.
Inverting 4 off of the heats put the preliminary winners in rows 7 and 8. Steve Stein lost his front row outside spot since he had to push off. The spec sprints are a self-starting class and when they initially come onto the track must have demonstrated that they self-started. Any subsequent restarts allow pushing, such as following a red flag.
Stein’s reassignment moved Justin Funkhouser from outside row 3 to 2 and he ran a strong first lap to lead initially. Fifth starting, David Goodwill, took the lead on the 2nd lap, using the bottom of turn 2 for the move, and led the next 16 laps, often by a large margin.


Justin Funkhouser gets some assistance towards staging at Chico

By lap 15 Funkhouser was closing in traffic and got inside of Goodwill down the backstretch on lap 18 to make his winning pass. With excellent track conditions, the spec main was quite good and Funkhouser claimed his 1st win over B.J. Martin and Danny Olmstead as Goodwill faded to 4th over the last couple of laps. Four yellows slowed the pace with the final one after 17 laps giving Funkhouser the shot at Goodwill.


Charlie Marrs won his 4th Marysville main last Saturday

Spec sprint point leader, Bob Newberry, managed a 5th after starting 12th to maintain his point lead over David Hayes and Olmstead. Chico continues to draw by far the largest nonwing spec sprint fields and adding them on a nearly weekly basis has been an excellent decision.

As featured in last week’s column, 13 year old Kyle Larson of Elk Grove did make his midget debut at Manzanita. Being a rookie, he started last in each event and grabbed a 4th in his heat before coming from 18th to finish 5th in the main. That is quite an excellent initial effort for the talented outlaw kart veteran.
With 100+ temperatures for this coming weekend, weekend racing at Chico, Placerville, and Roseville is planned, assuming there is any fuel in the tank after yet another softball tournament, this time in Manteca.