Denton fourth in Mini-Stocks debut

Scott Denton finished fourth in his first Mini-Stocks main event race.

The Fallbrook driver also finished fifth in the August 9 heat race prior to his fourth-place mean event result at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino.

“It was hot, it was fun, and it was definitely exhausting,” Denton said. “But I had a good time.”

Denton had previously driven in the Bomber Stock and Factory Stock classes at Cajon Speedway and in the Factory Stocks at Barona Speedway. He didn’t think the Mini-Stock was harder to drive than a Bomber Stock or Factory Stock.

“It’s just a lot different because you’re laying down and you don’t turn the wheel as much,” Denton said. “You really don’t have any room to turn around and look.”

Denton has worked with Mini-Stocks drivers Ron Parker, Dick Laycock, and Rick Walton in the past and has driven Mini-Stocks in non-racing practices.

“They weren’t as fast as they are now. They’re really quick,” Denton said.

Denton went to Fallbrook’s Hot Summer Nights celebration the night of August 8. When he returned home, a message on the Dentons’ answering machine from Laycock offered Denton the opportunity to drive Walton’s car the following night.

“Saturday morning we were headed out,” Denton said.

Accidents during the practice lap sessions scuttled Denton’s plans to learn which parts of the track other drivers preferred. “I just was out there on my own pretty much,” Denton said.

Denton didn’t complete a qualifying lap. “I flipped the car twice. Put it on its roof the first lap in the qualifying,” he said.

The car was taken off the track and fixed. “They decided to give me one more lap,” Denton said. “I got sideways and flipped it on its lid again.”

The car was ready for the heat race, although Denton didn’t post a qualifying time. “They told me I only get two free flips per night,” Denton said.

Because he had not qualified, Denton began the eight-lap heat race in the last position among the six cars. He was able to move up to fifth by the end of the race.

Denton also started the 15-lap main event in the back but inherited fourth place after two drivers ahead of him collided with each other during the third lap.

“I stayed in fourth the whole race,” he said.

The race was the first for Denton since his Factory Stock blew a motor in 2006.

Although the August 9 race is the only one in Denton’s current plans for the year, he is willing to drive in the division if provided with another offer.

“If they want me to drive, I might go up and drive, but I can’t keep fixing cars and throwing out the money,” he said.

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