Drivers and fans gathered at Eastbay Raceway Park with heavy hearts this week as the night was dedicated to the memory of driver Rusty Dixon. Dixon was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident one week ago. A number of drivers walked through the grandstands at intermission collecting donations for the Dixon family. Through the amazing generosity of the race fans, race teams, and drivers over $2000 was raised, The money raised will be donated to the trust fund set up for Alex and Ryan, the children of Rusty Dixon.
The Open Wheel Modifieds were the first class to take to the track for their 15-lap feature event. Before the race started the field lined up in the “missing man” formation leaving the pole position open in memory of Rusty Dixon. Jamie Burrows started at the front of the field and took the checkered flag. It was his second feature win of the season. Roger Crouse finished in 2nd place with the familiar number #97 on his car, tribute to Rusty Dixon. Austin Sanders held off Jeff Mathews for 3rd place and Raymond Rogers rounded out the top 5. Mathews and Crouse won the heat races.
The Late Model class was packed full of cars again Saturday night. Three heat races and a 10 lap consolation race determined the starting grid for the 25 lap feature. Frank Erskine, Sr., Jeff Mathews and Bobby Clark used the consolation race to earn spots on the starting grid. Keith Nosbisch lead early but made hard contact with Travis Varnadore on the backstretch ending both of their nights. Keith’s brother Jackie Nosbisch, Jr. started 9th in the field and made his way to the front. Once out front, Nosbisch, Jr. cruised to his second feature win in a row. David Schmauss finished 2nd. Dorsey Strickland, KD Kelley and Josh Peacock completed the top 5. Donnie Tanner, Schmauss, and Kelley took the wins in the heat races.
Chalie Paris, Jr. has dominated the Street Stock division this season and Saturday was no different. Paris, Jr started 11th in the 15-car field and had his sights set on the front of the field early on. Buck Skinner battled with Buckshot Meixner early in the race for the lead. While they were battling, Donnie Reed and Paris, Jr. were working their way through the field. Bob Smith started from the pole and led early but suffered mechanical problems and did not finish the feature. Paris, Jr worked his way to the lead and would take the victory, his 6th feature win in 8 races this season. Skinner finshed 2nd. Reed, Meixner and David Strickland rounded out the top 5. Paris, Jr. and Buck Woodhouse won the heat races.
Eighteen Outlaw 4’s took to the track for their 15-lap feature race. Cecil Martin started on the pole and outlasted the field to take the win. Hard charging Mavrick Varnadore finsished 2nd. Matt Haynes ran near the front of the field all night and came home in the 3rd spot. Jim Courson finished 4th and Dan Chambers took the checkered flag in 5th place. Courson and Chambers finished in the top spots in the heat races.
The Limited Late Models were the final class to take the green flag. Bruce Harvey and Roger Crouse battled for the lead in the early laps. Mother nature had plans of her own and the lightning flashing trough the sky around the track put all on notice that a quick finish to the race would be needed. After a brief caution the drivers reported that the track was still in good shape as the rain began to come down. Harvey was able to hold off Crouse for the win after the late re-start. Jason Pope finished 3rd. Forest Gough using the entire track came home 4th and Bob Peterson finished 5th. Tommy Evonosky and Harvey won the heat races.
East Bay Raceway Park resumes ASA-sanctioned racing Saturday 5/12/07 at 6:30pm with a full slate of racing action. 360 Sprints, Limited Sprints, Street Stocks, Outlaw 4’s and 4 Cylinder Bombers will all be in action. There will also be this season’s first golf cart race at intermission. For more information visit www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
