Chiaramonte’s Speed Impressive at Merced – Debuts New Car at Perris on Saturday – Speedway Digest – Home for NASCAR News

Always busy Braden Chiaramonte made the trek to the lightning-quick Merced Speedway last Saturday night for round #2 of the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour. The teen impressed his fellow competitors and fans by winning his heat, placing second in the dash, and running second early on in the main.

439306555_7863300837027823_7366415291939947596_n.jpgTim Holland in the Tiner/Hirst #94TH SCCT Series. Tim Holland photo.

Back in the Tiner/Hirst Enterprises Slade Precision Shocks/Larry Davis Farms/System 1 Pro Ignition/#94TH, Chiaramonte was the sixth fastest qualifier of 18 cars in Group B. The time placed the El Cajon, California resident on the outside of the front row in his 10-lap heat race. After a spirited battle early on, Chiaramonte scored a runaway victory for his first SCCT heat race win of the year.

The young driver’s prowess in the heat sent him to the six-lap dash. Things kept going the way of the driver known as “Spare Change” when he pulled the #1 spot. For fans unfamiliar with Chiaramonte who may have thought his heat race victory was a fluke, they were convinced he was the real deal after the dash. Starting on the outside of the front row against a field that included several veteran stars who had a lot more experience on the track than himself, he fought tooth and nail throughout the race. Running second, he was passed by one of Nor Cal’s biggest stars. Not to be deterred, Chiaramonte awed the crowd when he ducked back underneath the driver one lap later, made the pass, and pulled away to sew up the outside front row starting spot for the 30 lap main.

Chiaramonte flexed his muscles early on in the finale. Coming off turn two on the opening lap, a pair of drivers aggressively dove to the inside of the teen sensation. However, running the high line where he was so fast all night long, he easily beat them to turn three. He then set his sights on the leader and began to reel him in. At the end of the fourth circuit, he was 0.472 behind the race’s front runner. By the time a yellow flag slowed the action five laps later, he had shaved the leader’s advantage to 0.453.

As soon as the race resumed, Chiaramonte continued to rip the top and was close behind the leader. However, coming off turn two on lap 11, he slid off the top of the track bringing out a yellow flag. Chiaramonte went to the work area where the Tiner/Hirst crew quickly changed the left rear tire and sent him back onto the battleground.

For the restart, Chiaramonte was at the back in 23rd. However, he was not there for long. He immediately began picking off the competition and was all the way back up to 15th when the checkered flag brought the proceedings to a conclusion. It was not the outcome the young driver wanted, but his overall performance drew wide praise on social media after the race.

“Second race of the year in the #360 SCCT,” Chiaramonte reported to his Facebook fans. “Went out late in qualifying and the track was really slick but still went sixth quick. Started second in the heat and finished first. Pulled the #1 for the dash and finished second. I started second in the main, was running down the leader and made a mistake which cost me a good finish. Overall it was a good night. We have tons of speed, just need to put it all together. Thanks to everyone who helps.”

Heading into the third round of the SCCT season at Marysville on May 25th, Chiaramonte is 13th in the championship standings.

Twenty-four hours earlier and 88 miles south of Merced, Chiaramonte ran his 600cc non wing Micro in the Jet Bowl Classic at the Lemoore Jet Bowl. In his first micro race of the year, the 17-year-old out qualified the 27 car field with a lap of 11.627. He followed that up by starting fourth and finishing second in his heat race. For the 30-lap main, he started sixth and slipped back to ninth. He then charged all the way up to second and was seventh when the checkered flag flew. .

The Saturday, April 27th, Chiaramonte will return to Perris Auto Speedway for the first time since his March 16th crash on the famous Riverside County oval. That crash destroyed his car so he will be driving a brand new DRC Chassis with a powerful 410 engine purchased from Midwest racer Sterling Cling. At the February opener on the same track, he finished eighth.

439942222_18427631437054799_4039526555046446608_n.jpgBraden Chiaramonte’s brand new USAC/CRA Sprint Car. Chiaramonte photo.

Spectator gates at Perris will open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and the first race will take the green flag at 7:00. Adult tickets for the night of exciting dirt track Racing action and clean family fun are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6-12 it is only $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are available online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7. They can also be ordered by phone at 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance, there will be plenty available at the ticket window. The track is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking.

Chiaramonte would like to thank all his sponsors who have made his Racing efforts possible. RTL Traffic Control, AM Ortega, OCC Motorsports, Hyper Racing, Chop Design, Adams Motors, Hacienda Casa Blanca Fine Mexican Dining, Evil Plus Injection, King Racing Products, Tyner, and Keizer Wheels. If you would like to be a partner with one of America’s fastest-rising Racing stars, please contact Daniel Chiaramonte via email at mailto:[email protected] or by calling (619) 988-7563.

Braden Chiaramonte’s 2024 Results

2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 8th A Main

3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main

3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 1st A Main

3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS

4/6/24 Stockton Dirt Track Sprint Car Challenge Tour 14th A Main

4/19/24 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non Wing Outlaw Micro 7th A Main

4/20/23 Merced Speedway Sprint Car Challenge Tour 15th A Main

Braden Chiaramonte PR