Justyn Cox, Matt Michelli, Jason Palmer and Bradly Dillard snag Placerville Speedway victories on Big Trophy Night

Placerville, CA – After tough luck knocked him out of contention during the Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 opener two-weeks ago Clarksburg’s Justyn Cox returned on Saturday night and gained sweet redemption by claiming the 25-lap feature at Placerville Speedway.

Also joining Cox in victory lane on “Law Enforcement – Big Trophy Night” were Matt Michelli with the Ltd. Late Models, Jason Palmer with the Pure Stocks and Bradly Dillard with the BCRA Midget Lites.

Cox and Hollister’s Tony Gualda shared the front row for the Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Car A-main. At the waving of the green flag Cox jumped into the lead and built up a near two-second advantage, until lapped traffic came into play and gave Gualda an opportunity to close in.

Gualda pressured Cox on the bottom and then the top for multiple laps before the yellow lights flickered when Adam Walters and another driver made contact, folding Walters front end and ending his night. On the ensuing double file restart Cox again launched out front but another caution flew as Jodie Robinson jumped the cushion, collecting Kalib Henry and CJ Humphreys.

On the single file restart Cox again launched off to the lead but a spinning Billy Butler collected Shane Hopkins and Justin Johnson, who both flipped in the third and fourth turn. Both drivers walked away. Kalib Henry, Kyle Offill, Jodie Robinson and Chris Masters were also collected in the altercation.

When the race went back green Cox took off as Gualda pursued him in the second spot until traffic once again became a factor. Gualda made numerous bids for the race lead on the bottom of turn two and turn four until Ryan Souza drew the yellow on lap 23, setting up a double file restart with two laps to go.

Gualda made a bid for the top spot until hitting the berm on the bottom of turn one, allowing Cox to get away and capture his first win of the 2018 season. Gualda finished second over returning Placerville champion Greg Decaires, Jimmy Trulli, Sean Becker in the top-five. Heat race wins during the night were picked off by Kyle Offill, Justyn Cox and Billy Butler. The ADCO Driveline and Custom Exhaust Fast Time Award to start the evening was claimed by Trulli, who toured the quarter-mile in 10.949 seconds. A total of 21 Winged 360 Sprint Cars were on hand.

Fifteen Limited Late Models signed into the pits for Big Trophy Night and the racing certainly did not disappoint. Scott Woessner and Matt Davis set the pace for the 20 lap A-main. Davis quickly took command at the drop of the green. With a long green flag run lapped traffic made things exciting as Davis fought a tight race car, allowing Matt Michelli and Eddie Gardner to apply pressure.

As things were getting good for the lead the red lights came on after a lapped car clipped fourth place Tyler Lightfoot, turning his No. 23 upside down. Lightfoot luckily walked away uninjured. On the double file restart Michelli made a bid for the top spot but contact between the front duo allowed Eddie Gardner to jump into the lead for multiple laps. Michelli then reeled in Gardner and took the lead at the line on lap 13. He never looked back and went on to record his 20th career Placerville Speedway victory. Gardner, Davis, Jay Norton and Rod Oliver completed the top-five. Heat race wins went to Michelli and Davis.