East Bay Raceway Park ends 2003 crowning Champions in all divisions
by Bill Green
TAMPA, Fla. -- Seven classes participate for Championship points at East Bay Raceway Park. In 2003 over three hundred thirty five (335) different drivers received Championship points on the famous clay-by-the-bay. Several point's battles would be settled tonight on the EBRP ¼ mile gumbo clay.
The big battle of the night would see the East Bay Raceway Park Late Model pilots take on the clock, a pill draw, the track, each other and the A-Main; as 23 cars would square off for the 2003 Mr. Bud Championship Feature win. The extended 30-lap feature would see some great racing, with veteran driver Keith Nosbisch starting 10th and pulling off his only Victory Lane visit at EBRP in 2003. While Nosbisch won the race, another veteran of note would only finish 5th, yet win his 15th East Bay Raceway Park Class Championship, as "The Master" Donnie Tanner would do it again. Going second to Nosbisch on the track would be Devon Dixon, with Bobby Alexander, Sr. third, Jack Nosbisch, Jr. fourth and Tanner getting the final top-5 spot.
One of those point's battles to be settled tonight, would be the Limited Late Model battle between William Hampton and Forest Gough. Gough won the lion's share of features, with 11, but Hampton was steadily finishing in the top-5 and led the point's battle by only 9 into tonight's race. Feature racing would make the difference as 27 Limited Late Models saw the green flag. The win would go to Forest Gough on a wild last lap pass attempt by Roger Crouse, leaving Grouse to salvage a fourth place finish, with J. R. Prather, Jr. getting across the line second and 2003 East Bay Raceway Park Class Champion William Hampton coming home third to lock up the title. Last car in the top-5 was pole sitter Richard Kessinger.
Street Stocks brought 30 cars to the green, when it was over; Eric Johnson won the final Street Stock feature. But, it was Bruce Harvey being interviewed as the 2003 East Bay Raceway Park Track Champion. Finishing second in the feature was the "Little Cornel" Austin Sanders, with Wayne Hayes third, Tommy Mena fourth and Richard Peacock fifth.
Open Wheel Modifieds had 22 cars on the track for the final green of 2003. When the checkered flag flew 15-laps later Jerry White won the race, as a very fast Bill Howard was DQ'd for illegal heads before the cool-down lap was over. So, Bruce Watkins won the battle with "Prime-Time" Bobby Dixon for the 2003 East Bay Raceway Park Open Wheel Championship by 14 points. The official OWM Feature finish had Dixon second to White, Greg Reutimann third, Watkins fourth and feature pole sitter Jim Passino hung on for the top-5 finish in fifth.
Mini-Stock driver came to the final feature with Chad Rose and Dorsey Strickland separated by only 8 points, but it would be deaf driver Scotty Williams in Victory Lane with the win. Leaving only Scott Howard to finish in front of the battling Rose and Strickland. Chad Rose would finish third, one spot in front of Strickland and secure the 2003 East Bay Raceway Park Mini-Stock Championship. Fifth would go to Greg Pae in the "Purple People Eater" #65.
Limited Sprints saw the largest field of the steel motored winged warriors as 17 took the initial green flag. Final feature event of 2003 at East Bay Raceway Park went to Larry "Buzz" Brazil, Jr., with Tim Holston second, while "Big" Tim George would take third and the 2003 East Bay Raceway Park Limited Sprint Championship. Fourth went to a 15th starting Tyler Godwin with a great effort and John Ratzlaff fifth.
See you at the 2004 East Bay Raceway Park Winter Nationals starting January 22nd, 2004. BE THERE!
