Jeff Mathews wins Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified Feature Race
By Jason Loughren
The lights were on again at East Bay Raceway Park as around 100 cars hit the track for the only show of August. The last night of racing before weekly racing starts again in September saw dominating driving performances in three of the five classes.
The Outlaw 4’s were the first group out of the turn 2 gate for their 15-lap feature event. Shane Burrows went to victory lane for the first time this season as he got out front early and never looked back. Mavrick Varnadore finished 2nd. Steve Miller was 3rd. Paul Sampson with one of his best runs of the season was 4th and Travis Varnadore rounded out the top 5. Chad Rose and Burrows won the heat races.
In the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified’s Jeff Mathews got to celebrate in victory lane for the first time this season in the class. Points leader Mathews started 10th in the field and worked his way to the front battling early with Devin Dixon for the lead. The hard charging Dale Kelley finished 2nd and Dixon was 3rd. Roger Crouse and Scotty Williams rounded out the top 5. Jamie Burrows and Mathews finished in the top spot in the heat races.
Twenty-two Street Stocks were on hand for their 15-lap feature event which saw numerous caution flags wave over the field. Buck Skinner was able to hold off Buckshot Meixner for the win, his third of the season. Skinner had his work cut out on multiple re-starts as the caution flags were coming fast and furious. Meixner was 2nd. Lonnie Smith drove his way through the field and took the checkered flag in the 3rd spot. Gary Sheffield was 4th with his best run of the season. Eric Moon completed the top 5. Skinner and David Strickland won the heat races.
In the Limited Late Models Tim Gay turned in one of the most dominating performances of the year with a half lap victory over the rest of the field for his class leading 3rd feature win of the season. After his win by a wide margin in the heat race it was clear that it would be Gay’s night. JR Prather, Jr. finished 2nd. Bruce Harvey was 3rd. Roger Crouse crossed the line in 4th position and points leader Forrest Gough was 5th. Gough and Gay won the heat races.
The Convire 4 Cylinder Bombers were the final class of the evening. Twenty-five cars signed in to compete for the top prize. Kever Raulerson outlasted everyone and went to victory lane for the first time this year. Kyle Eash ran strong all race and finished 2nd. A flat tire after contact with George Christiansen early in the race sent Robert Kissam to the pits for a tire change. He did not lose a lap and rejoined the rear of the field under caution. Kissam battled his way to a 3rd place finish. Tim Albright was 4th. Christiansen took the checkered flag in 5th place. Eash, Raulerson and Frank Miller won the heat races.
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Flat track ATV and motorcycle racing will take place at East Bay on Saturday August 25th. Tickets are only $7 for grandstand admission and $10 for pit admission.
East Bay Raceway Park will resume weekly ASA-sanctioned racing Saturday September 1st at 6:30pm with a full slate of racing action. Late Models, Limited Late Models, The Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified’s, Outlaw 4’s and Convire 4 Cylinder Bombers will all be in action. For more information visit www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
