First-time winners!
Speedway sees milestones for two drivers separated by 35 years
Generation gap? What generation gap? There was no such thing Saturday night at Cocopah Speedway as two drivers were each as excited as the other as they celebrated and were congratulated by their friends, family and crew after winning the first feature events of their respective racing careers — 54-year old Francisco Cordova and 19-year-old Kelsie Foley.
Cordova, from Somerton, drove to the win in the IMCA Hobby Stock Division and Foley, from Tucson, won the IMCA Modified feature event. Foley’s win make the first ever feature event win at the Somerton oval by a female driver in the Modified Division.
“I was trying to concentrate and do the best I can,” said Codova, whose win was perhaps the most remarkable, because it came approximately one month after he suffered a heart attack, at the track, during the IMCA Winter Nationals. The heart attack occurred two weeks after Cordova underwent heart surgery, after suffering another heart attack in October. “He’s had a few heart problems, but he’s tough,” said Cordova’s son, Frank. “We worry about that all the time, but for my dad, (racing is) a stress reliever.
“My dad’s mentality is not to being competitive and I want it to win, he just says I want to go and have fun. And today he had fun and managed to win the race. We’re super proud of him. He’s come a long way.”
Cordova made the win look easy as he assumed the lead early in the 15-lap race and then almost coasted to the win. A late charge by Yuma’s Scott Jeffery, who started seventh on the grid was not enough, as he settled for second place, with Yuma’s Jason Beshears in third.
Foley’s drive to the checkered flag was a near carbon copy of Cordova’s win as she checked out early and enjoyed nearly a full straightaway lead late in the race.
“I had no idea what was going on behind me,” said an elated Foley from victory lane afterward. “I just kept saying, ‘Keep running