Grass Valley, CA, July 28, 1995
Fans were kept on the edge of their seats Friday night at the Ernie (Prussell) Memorial Speedway as the IMCA Division dazzled them with speed and skill on an exceptionally well prepared, fast track. Richard Brace Jr. gained the lead halfway through the 15-lap main event and successfully held off Cortney Dozier by inches to earn the checkered flag. Dick Appleby led the main for the first half, but drifted up to the marbles under the pressure of Brace Jr and lapped traffic, leaving an opening for Brace Jr and Dozier to pass.
The fast paced action started earlier in the evening with the IMCA heat race when the three strong competitors gave fans a taste of what was to come later. Appleby rocketed to the lead within one lap from the start, leaving Brace Jr. and Dozier to challenge each other for second place during the final three laps. By the final lap all three crossed the finish within inches of the other with Appleby first, Brace Jr. second and Dozier third.
The main event continued to underline the skills of these top competitors as Appleby, Brace Jr. and Dozier came through turn four in lap three side by side. Dozier and Brace Jr. then concentrated on gaining and keeping second position alternating slightly for the next five laps until Brace Jr gained a firm grip on second and began to knock on Appleby;s back door. By lap nine, Brace Jr. had powered his way to the lead through lapped trafffic and he never looked back. Dozier stayed right on Brace Jr.’s tail, waiting and hoping for a chance to take the lead, with Appleby just one car length behind looking for the same position, jockeyed constantly with JR Wright, who started seventh to gain control of a fourth place finish. Fans were on their feet when the checkered flag came out and Brace Jr. first, Dozier second, Appleby third, Hicks fourth and JR Wright fifth crossed the finish line.
