Arizona Motorplex
Whitwell tops Parker for Tucson victory
R.C. Whitwell won March 23 at Tucson. (jimrosasphotography.com)
TUCSON, Ariz. (March 23) — Continuing his domination of regional touring races in Arizona, hometown driver R.C. Whitwell clicked off another victory Saturday at Tucson International Raceway. He earned $1,200.
Whitwell took the checkers ahead of Lonnie Parker Jr. of El Mirage, Ariz., and tail-starting Garrett Alberson of Las Cruces, N.M., in Championship Dirt Motorsports touring competition. Pole-starting Brad Williams of Tucson was fourth followed by Jeff Manka of Phoenix, Ariz., in 19-car field. | Slideshow
Notes: Whitwell’s Mike Tahtinen-owned GRT Race Car is sponsored by Sierra Mining & Crushing. ... The victory came on the birthday of Sue Tahtinen, Mike's wife. ... Brad Williams earned $200 for his six-lap dash victory. ... Garrett Alberson's 19th-to-third run gave him Keizer Aluminum Wheels Hard Charger honors. ... Drivers assembled from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. ... The event was co-sanctioned by the Southwest Dirt Racing Association. ... CDM competitors return to action in Tucson on April 20.
CDM @ Tucson: (1) R.C. Whitwell, (2) Lonnie Parker Jr., (3) Garrett Alberson, (4) Brad Williams, (5) Jeff Manka, (6) Bud Grossenbacher, (7) John Cornell, (8) Dave Deetz, (9) James Laing, (10) Rick Ortega, (11) Bucky Andrews, (12) Steve Francis Jr., (13) Jerry Fincher, (14) Alan Bowers, (15) Bill Archibald, (16) Sean Bray, (17) Bruce Duckett, (18) Jonathan Ortega, (19) Joey Moriarty. Heat race winners (among 19 cars): Parker, Williams, Moriarty. Dash winner: Williams.
