By Rick Anges
Six days of Late Model racing culminated Saturday night at East Bay Raceway with some action packed racing to a capacity crowd as the fans were treated to the UDTRA (former Hav-A-Tampa) show. After five days of all out racing these guys were still loaded for bear as number 30 Steve Shaver came out with a blistering qualifying run at 14.571 seconds to be the top dog for the night. Several cars were in the low 15 to high to mid 14 second range which meant that although the track was a little rough in some places the new clay was still very fast.

John Kresser Jr. in the 45k took a wild ride in one of the nights heat races. Several cars including EastBay driver Keith Nosbich tangled on the backstretch going into turn three, Kresser came up on the melee full bore and clipped Nosbich causing himself to barrel roll several times and land on his roof.

After several tense minutes John climbed from his car a little shaken but otherwise unscathed. All of the other drivers also escaped with only minor bumps and bruises making a good example of how safety is the number one rule in these cars.

The Strawberry Invitational Dash for Cash was also had some exciting moments. The s9 of Dan Schlieper who had lead the race from almost the get go came around and took the white flag for what looked like an easy victory. Then going into turn one his rear tire shredded off the car and crowd went wild as Schlieper was able to three wheel his ride home for the checkers and the cash!

Twenty-six cars lined up on the front stretch for the final feature of six nights of UDTRA/Renegade STARS Late Models. Top drivers from all over the country were lined up in front of the 4,000 plus crowd. With $25,000 on the line for tonites winner racing this should be one heck of a race. Steve Shaver started on the pole for the 100 lap event but it was the 27 of Ray Tucker who jumped out to the early lead. Steve Boley in the 26 brought out the caution flag after connecting with the backstretch wall ending his evening early. On the restart the Mopar powered machine 15 Steve Francis was able to get by Tucker and take the point. Racing was hot and heavy all over the track as the cars were going three and four wide, pulling the front tires all the way down the straight-aways. Dan O'Neal in the 71o made his way up through the field and began the battle for the lead with Shaver.

As the two raced side by side, running high and low the racing got to close as O'Neal slid up into Shaver causing the Mopar machine to get a flat. The caution flew and Shaver was able to pit, replace the tire and return to the tail; end of the field. Steve Lucas 5 had moved into the second spot and looked like he was going to give O'Neal a run for his money but his motor expired going in a puff of smoke and just like that his night was done. Shaver, O'Neal and the number 18 of Shannon Babb made it a three car race for a while, Shaver and Babb traded second several times but neither was able to get by the hard charging O'Neal. Babb picked up some debree on the track and had to dash into the pits to change a tire sending him to the rear of the field. Rick Auckland 12 made his way up through the field, only to break and retire into the infield.

Other drivers also made bids for the lead including the 1 of Chub Frank, 4b of previous nights/morning winner Jackie Boggs, b12 Kevin Weaver also made a run for the lead but couldn't get by the lighting fast O'Neal. Just when it seemed like O'Neal had the race slam dunked his ride expired and low qualifier Shaver was right there to take the lead.

Shannan Babb with a second place finish and $10,000 for his work. From left to right,Stan Kolan, Miss East Bay, Shannan Babb, Chelsea Auld
Shannon Babb came from the rear of the pack to battle Shaver for the lead. Riding right on the tail of the 30 car Babb was using the whole race track trying to get by, but the race track just wasn't wide enough as Babb tagged the turn four wall allowing Shaver to hold on for the victory. Babb was able to gather his car up and take second, 28m Jimmy Mars took the third spot, fourth went to the 1 star of Chub Frank and rounding out the top five in the 100 lap event was the 1j of Davey Johnson.

Having been a previous years Winternationals winner not only was Shaver the winner of $25,000 but track owner Stan Kolan kicked in another $2,500 to make it a cool $27,500 win for Shaver and his crew.


Stanley Kolan (far right) and the big winner Steve Shaver with East Bay Queen

Join us the Wednesday night "LIVE" from EastBay for the KARNAC.com Real Racin Talk Radio Show. The All-Start Sprints will be in town!

-Rick Anges

Listen to Late Model driver interviews live from East Bay.

Click Here for links to all 2002 News Articles

Copyright© Future Enterprises 1997-2002 KARNAC.com is electronically published by Future Enterprises. The KARNAC© name, logo and trademarks are owned by and used with the permission of Future Enterprises of Florida. Reproduction or republishing in whole or part for inclusion in any work is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the electronic publisher. Information may, however, be printed for the sole purpose of contacting our advertisers.