The Battle Mountain Raceway kicked off the July 4 weekend with fireworks on and above the track. Destiny Villanueva won the pure stock car main event show, showing her potential as a future racecar driver.
After a disastrous start for the raceway Friday night, when only six cars came to race, Saturday night turned into an exciting evening for kids and parents alike. It all started with 14-year-old Villanueva, who held off Kevin Wynia by a nose for first place in the pure stock car main event.
Villanueva seemed more excited about beating her father Pepe Villanueva, after he finished in fourth place. Villanueva, after receiving her trophy, said, “I need to go and laugh at my dad now. I finally beat him.” Villanueva has been racing since she was five years old and now has her first pure stock win.
While the pure stock class produced a dramatic finish, the dwarf class cars did not, as Rodney Sweet built a large lead early. Sweet outpaced the father-son combo of Bill and Brian Phinney. Bill Phinney got close to Sweet with four laps left, but lost control on the turn and ultimately dropped into fourth place. After the caution flag lifted, the race ended with a green, white and checkered finish. Sweet pulled away once again, claiming the dwarf class main event trophy.
Once the races completed, Angie Gonzales had her staff turn off the lights, so the Battle Mountain Volunteer Fire Department could set off fireworks. “We have to thank Roller Coaster Fireworks Outlet for donating all these fireworks tonight and the fire department for coming out to safely light them,” Gonzales said.
The firework show consisted of about 15 minutes of massive explosions and bright colors. Kids all over the stands played and jumped around with glow stick necklaces in awe of the bright lights. Kids of all ages got the opportunity to ride in the race cars and catch candy and toys tossed out by Gonzales from the flagger stand.
The kids appeared to be most excited about the small American Flags that were handed out. Gonzales made sure every child in attendance received a flag. An exhausted Gonzales stated, “We have been out here all day in the hot sun, but it is worth it for all these kids.”
Gonzales and her crew must put in a full day’s work to prepare the track and being shorthanded hasn't helped. She recently went before county commissioners, asking for help maintaining the racetrack. She needs better equipment to keep the track from getting too dusty and rough for drivers. Gonzales hopes to see track improvements by next race season.
