East Bay Beats Mother Nature with Features Only Action!!!!
by Bill Green “From Behind The MIC!”
Late rains on Saturday afternoon tested the fans and racers for the 15th time this season. Looking at 9 lost weeks of racing and 6 nights of quick schedule changes to save event programs, it was a wait and see approach by track officials as the rain quit near 6PM. Luckily the rain stopped in time and the track was perfectly prepared for some great racing action.
Tonight’s first class onto the well-prepared track surface would be the Street Stocks. After a few early problems and attrition of half the 24-car field, it would be Jason Bronson in Victory Lane. Going second was Rob Hall, Bruce Harvey third, Tim Hunt forth and Glen Hodges got fifth.
Limited Late Models flexed their muscle next with Jeff Mathews winning from outside row-2. Mike Rudder piloted his ride into second, Bill Howard got third, Terry Bronson forth and Timmy Gay rounded out the top-5.
The 1-800-A$K-GARY DA$H-4-CA$H saw the Hill’s Dirt Pit, Pioneer Tire & Auto, Buzbee Aquatics Mini-Stocks top-6 in points, going at it for 5-laps and the $400 dollar purse. Brian DeBore would come from inside row number two and take the win, with Chad Rose second and Dorsey Strickland third.
Late Models used the excellent track surface to display their racing skills, with Devin Dixon taking the win, J. R. Austin going second, Keith Nosbisch coming from 13th to 3rd, K. D. Kelly finishing forth and “The Master” Donnie Tanner holding on to the fifth place finish.
The Antique Sprint Racing Association visited East Bay Raceway Park for a second time. Eight cars took the specialty race green and showed the crowd how racing use to look.
Wing 360 Sprints brought 18 cars to the green flag, but only 8 cars would be running at the end. Only six of the top fifteen points chasers would be left standing as the checkered flag flew. Winning tonight’s 360 Sprint feature would be “The Hammer” Danny Martin, Jr. going away. Second went to a hard working Brian Maddox coming from 16th starting spot. Third would go to Neil LaRose as he dodged several incidents, along with the car of Tom Winegardner, Jr. forth and Tom Winegardner, Sr. surviving for fifth.
Hill’s Dirt Pit, Pioneer Tire & Auto, Buzbee Aquatics Mini-Stocks saw Dorsey Strickland winning the feature event. Second to Rich Livernois, third to Brian DeBore, Chad Rose forth and Jim Coursen got fifth.
Go-Karts go back under the lights on Friday the 19th of September. Open Wheel Modifieds are back in action next Saturday night. For more information on the 2004 East Bay Raceway Park Winter Nationals, call 813-677-RACE or visit EastBayRacewayPark.com.
