Around 100 cars signed in ready to race Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park. Over 50 veterans, active military, firefighters, and policemen were saluted with an intermission ceremony that concluded with a fireworks display. The drivers in each of the 5 classes honored the veterans in the stands with great racing action throughout the evening.
The Outlaw 4's were the first group to hit the track on a perfect night for racing. Zach Amundsen started on the front row and that is where he stayed winning the feature race. Amundsen faced an early challenge from Shane Burrows but was able to stay out front. Cecil Martin started in the 10th spot finished 2nd. Points leader Chad Rose came home with another strong finish in the 3rd position. Jim Coursen and last week's feature winner Travis Varnadore rounded out the top 5. Burrows and Amundsen won the heat races.
The Limited Late Models were on hand for the second week in a row and put on another good show for the fans. Tim Gay cruised to victory for his first feature win of the season. Gay is the 6th different winner in the class this season. JR Prather, Jr came home 2nd. Forrest Gough finished 3rd. The hard charging Roger Crouse was 4th and William Pugh who went to the pits to fix a flat tire ended up finishing 5th. Prather, Jr. won the heat race.
The Limited Sprints were dominated by Paulie Milum who gave credit in victory lane to his tire and shock set-up for the evening. Milum won the feature race by half a lap over the rest of the field. Clint Reynolds had a strong run and finshed 2nd. Tim George was 3rd. Michael Smith and points leader Gene Lasker rounded out the top 5. George and Milum took top spot in the heat races.
Another full field of Late Models was on hand as 27 cars signed in to race. Three heat races and a 10-lap consolation race set the field for the 25 lap feature race. Roger Crouse started on the pole and led the early laps until technical problems ended his night during one of the caution periods. Jackie Nosbisch, Jr started in the 12th position and battled his way up to front of the field.
Crouse's exit provided Nosbisch, Jr. with the lead, a position he would hold all the way to the checkered flag for his 5th feature win of the season. Marshall Austin fought hard for a 2nd place finish. David Schmauss came home 3rd. JR Prather, Jr. and KD Kelley rounded out the top 5. Crouse, Ted Erskine, and Nosbisch, Jr. won the heat races. William Hampton, Steve Miller and Wayne Hayes secured starting spots in the 'big show' with good runs in the consolation race.
In the Street Stock class the problems continued for points leader Charlie Paris, Jr. Paris, Jr. battled Buck Skinner for the lead until a huge plume of smoke came from his car on lap 9 signaling the end to his night. Skinner held of the challenge from Donnie Reed to take his second straight feature win and his second of the season. Buckshot Meixner finished 3rd. Tim Spencer, Jr. ran in the top 5 all night and came home 4th. Dave Floyd finished 5th. An excited James Hook and Paris, Jr. took the checkered flags in the heat races.
Fans were treated to the always-popular Fan Participation Race at intermission. Run at the end of each month sponsored by JR Prather's Tampa Bay Paving and 'Big'Jim Bargo's Auto Sales. The largest group of cars participated in this month's races where any fan can bring their everyday car and race 1 lap around the Clay by the Bay. Just bring a helmet, make sure your car has a seat belt and hit the track. Check the racing schedule for information on the next Fan Participation Race.
East Bay Raceway Park resumes ASA-sanctioned racing Saturday June 2nd at 6:30pm with a full slate of racing action. Late Models, Limited Late Models, Open Wheeled Modifieds, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinder Bombers will all be in action. For more information visit www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
