by Dennis Daniel, DirtModifiedRacer.com
January 9, 2010 - Tucson, AZ…The first racing action of 2010 got under way in Tucson, AZ with the 4th annual Wild West Shootout at USA Raceway. After several big wrecks early, pole-sitter Pat Doar went on to score a $1,000 victory in the first night of six nights of racing action taking place over an 8 day period. The New Richmond, Wisconsin driver, who is also pulling double duty racing in the Super Late Models, avoided a lap 1 pileup that took out second starting Darrell Nelson. The pileup took out several cars, as Nelson was spun from behind right in front of the entire 24 car field on the first lap, and brought out a red flag.
When the green flag was again waved on the field, the action looked to settle down but as Dave Jorgensen was battling with Dereck Ramirez for 3rd, he spun and came back onto the track, again causing a big pileup, this time on the front straight. This brought out the red flag for the second time of the scheduled 25 lap event without completing a racing lap. Marlyn Seidler suffered heavy damage on his brand new SideBiter chassis as he collided with Jorgensen and was forced out of the race. The field was trimmed to 15 cars remaining out of the 24 starters.
After the second time the race was restarted, things cleaned up, with Corky Thomas jumping to the lead over Doar on the first completed racing lap. Doar got back by Thomas on lap 2 and started to pull away. A battle for third developed between Ramirez and Bumper Jones just as a yellow flag flew on lap 4, when Canadian driver Shane Edgington spun. On the restart, Jones moved into 3rd with 2009 WISSOTA National Champion Blake Jegtvig challenging Ramirez for the 4th spot.
As the action began to sort itself out, the final caution flew when Stormy Scott, who was challenging for a top 5 spot, collided with the turn 4 wall on lap 6, ending his night. This would bunch up the field yet again. When the green flag flew, Doar once again jumped back to the front from the Delaware-style restart (leader alone in front, with cars doubled up behind) and began to pull away from Thomas and Jones. By lap 10, Doar held a 12 car length lead but was getting close to lapped traffic, which might slow him and allow the challengers to close ground. Behind Doar, Jones and Thomas were battling hard for second, as they traded the spot several times. The lapped cars were easily maneuvered by Doar and he went on to score the victory in the Del Arneson owned #9 to victory on the fast USA racetrack. Second place was traded several times as Jones and Thomas battled throughout the final 15 laps. The last lap saw Thomas get by Jones to claim second, with Ramirez besting Jegtvig for 4th.
Unofficial Results 1. Pat Doar, New Richmond, WI $1,000 2. Corky Thomas, Fargo, ND $600 3. Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, NM $400 4. Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK $350 5, Blake Jegtvig, Hawley, MN $300
