Marc Marin/Arizona Silver Belt No. 26 Johnathan Martin, No. 7 Thomas Phillips and No. 3 Isaac Zaragoza whip around a curve during the Gila Monster Go Kart races held on Friday night at the Gila County Fairgrounds.

 GLOBE — After the Gila Monsters had to skip a race because of rain, they returned to the track Friday for a makeup race, and it was tempers and dirt flew all night.

The races got started with the Trophy dashes Sponsored by Fernando Shipley’s State Farm Insurance. In the 12-18 group it was Dylan Miller taking the win over Isaac Zaragoza, Aaron Hetrick and Samantha Zaragoza. In the 6-11 group it was the “Twister” Jacob Mabbitt taking the win over Tony Johnson, Matthew Hays and Kade York.

Next it was the 12-18 year olds rolling out the heats. In Heat 1 it was Dylan Miller taking the win, followed by Isaac Zaragoza, Kindra Holliday, Brandy Hetrick, Aaron Hetrick and Justin Henderson. In Heat 2 it was Destanee Henderson winning over Billy Tower, Cody Melcher, Kristopher Tower, Samantha Zaragoza and Brock Mcgill. In Heat 3 it was “Lala” Leslie Tower taking the win over Thomas Phillips, Tyler Benton, Jonathan Martin, Thomas Woods and Jacelyn York. 

With only the top three being able to advance to the main event, the Monsters had to do a Semi Main because there were 18 drivers who were trying to make the main event, which only 12 drivers can compete in. 

In the semi main event it was Kristopher Tower, Aaron Hetrick and Justin Henderson making the last chance transfer to the main and Samantha Zaragoza, Brandy Hetrick, Thomas Woods, Jacelyn York, Jonathan Martin and Brock Mcgill not making the main event.

 In the heats for the 6-11 year olds there were 15 drivers competing. In Heat 1 one it was Jacob Martin taking the win over “The Rocket Man” Kade York, Michael Riley, Samson Pattison and Katelynn Cooper. In Heat 2 Matthew Hayes beat out Tony Johnson, Zabriel Saenz, Molly Lund and James Horner. Heat 3 was won by Jacob Mabbitt overcoming Brandy Reeder, Austin Higginbotham, Dennis Coombs and Gavin Meeks.

In their Semi main event the transfer spots went to Molly Lund, Samson Pattison and Dennis Coombs.

After a short intermission with a little show by the Peter D Motorsports Mini Modlite car, taking a few laps on the track, we had a 50/50 drawing and it was won by Kris Tower Sr., and on his birthday no less. Also, a drawing for a igloo set donated by an anonymous donor was won by a spectator named Amber.

 The Main Events got started at 9:00 with the pace car brought up by Peter D Motorsports which this time it was a Modelite  taking them around for 3 parade laps with the fans on there feet screaming for there favorite drivers as they  went 4 wide for 3 laps to get the the fans on there feet in true dirt track style. Kindra Holliday led the first 5 laps and was takin over by Cody Melcher in lap 6 and he never looked back. In lap 8 Thomas Phillips took a header and out came the red flag. The race went green again for 1 lap and another yellow was thrown  for a driver spinning in turns one and two and car’s 44 and 3 continued to race down the back staight away under yellow going to get a black flag warning for racing and bumping under the yellow. They then were both ejected from the race for unsportsman like conduct. The race began again on lap 10 and it finished under green with The winner being Cody Melcher for his second main event win this year. following behind him was Billy Tower, Thomas Phillips, Leslie Tower, Dylan Miller, Tyler Benton Kindra Holliday, Destanee  Henderson, Justin Henderson and Kristopher Tower.

 The Main event for the 6-11 group it was just as exciting. Zariel Saenz was on the outside pole and in the first lap he took the lead and never looked back. There was only one yellow in lap 5 with Tony Johnson coming off the track for the night and the race finished under green with Zabriel Saenz taking his first main event win. He beat out Kade york, Matthew Hayes, Austin Higginbotham, Jacob Mabbit, Molly lund, Brandy Reeder, Jacob Martin. Samson Pattison, Tony Johnson and Michael Riley. Dennis Coombs wasn’t able to make the main due to engine trouble.

We would like to thank our sponsors for there continued support for our young driver. Bebe and Liz Rivera with Earth Movers in Miami, Jonovich Plumbing, Stallings and Long, State Farm Fernando Shipley, Midstate Pipe and Supply, Highway 60 Motors, Al Nater’s Automotive, Triple Nicole’s, Sonic, Golden Oldies, Irens real Mexican Food, Guayo’s on the trail, Guayo’s in Miami, All Pro Cycle, and Brad Osbourn with M.S.H.A. training, APS, Hom Electric,Marcanti Electric, Blake and Carpenter Ins.. And Thanks to all out fans we couldn’t put on these great shows with out you.