Silva Goes From Last to 1st to Win Ventura Mini Stock Main

Joe Silva of Port Hueneme did not win a Mini Stock oval track main event at Ventura Raceway last season.

In an unlikely performance Friday, Silva came from the last starting position to win the 20-lap main event at Ventura before 1,679.

Silva, the defending Mini Stock figure-eight season champion, patiently worked his way up from 13th to third place when leader Kevin Parker of Ventura lost his rear wheel on the Lap 13 front straightaway. Cliff Tietz of Camarillo, who was running second, ran over the wheel and was propelled into the wall, opening the way to victory for Silva.

Ernie Malone of Ojai finished second and Jim Tietz of Camarillo, Cliff’s father, took third.

The International Motor Contest Assn. Modified division made its inaugural run at Ventura with a 10-car field. Steve Rowe of Fillmore and Ray Marroguin of Santa Maria won eight-lap heat races.

Doug Thornton of Ventura won the Modified Mini Stock 10-lap main event for the second consecutive week. Street Stock eight-lap heat race winners were John Aitken of Fillmore, Scott Niven of Agoura Hills and Paul Moore of Oak View. Jeff Drake of Fillmore and Tim Gill of Somis won in the Mini Stock division.