IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

May 4, 2008 Travis Varnadore Wins Late Model Feature at East Bay, Victory is First in a Late Model By Jason Loughren Five classes of racing action were on the schedule at East Bay Raceway Park as the month of May started off with a bang. Around 100 cars took to the track for an exciting night of racing action on the Clay by the Bay. The Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds were the first class to hit the track. Austin Sanders had the car to beat and quickly made his way to the lead from his 6th starting position. Sanders held off the charge of Jamie Burrows to take the win, which was his first of the season. Burrows finished 2nd. John Bradley, Bruce Harvey and Raymond Rogers rounded out the top 5. Dale Kelley and Sanders scored wins in the heat races. The Outlaw 4’s provided the best side-by-side racing action of the night as Shane Burrows, Jim Courson and Matt Haynes battled for the lead and eventually the win. Courson was able to hold off the hard charging Matt Haynes who had led the race in the earlier laps to take the win. It was Coursen’s 4th trip to victory lane this season. Haynes finished 2nd. Shane Burrows started 9th and finished 3rd. Mickey Wright was 4th. Chad Rose battled back to finish 5th. Chad Rose and Haynes won the heat races. In the Late Models Travis Varnadore picked up his first victory of the season in an exciting finish holding off the challenge of Bobby Alexander, Sr and Steve Miller. Varnadore’s feature win was his first in a Late Model at East Bay. The three cars raced nose to tail through numerous restarts including a green-white-checker restart and finish. In the early laps JR Prather, Jr. was leading David Schmauss who was charging through the field. After contact in turn 4, Schmauss was sent to the rear of the field and Prather’s car would not restart sending him to the pits and out of the race. Varnadore was running in 3rd place at the time and assumed the lead. Varnadore was able to stay out front for the remainder of the feature race and take the win. Alexander, Sr. finished 2nd. Steve Miller was 3rd. Wallace Peacock started 10th and finished 4th. Matt Miller rounded out the top 5. Prather, Jr., Al Larson and Rich Kessinger took wins in the heat races. In the Limited Late Models points leader Tim Gay celebrated his third victory of the season in a race shortened to 12 laps by the time limit. Tim Powers finished 2nd. William Pugh started in the 10 spot and finished 3rd. Jeremy Simpson had a solid run from the 16th starting position and came home in the 4th spot. Forest Gough battled his way to a 5th place finish. Jimmy Loubert, Shane Koperda and Gay won the heat races. In the Convire 4-Cylinder bombers Kyle Cruse won his first ever feature race at East Bay Raceway Park. Frank Miller finished 2nd. Points leader Collin Kruse came home 3rd. Kever Raulerson and DW Lester rounded out the top 5. Elliot Warn Morgan and F. Miller won the heat races. ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 6:30pm. The National Late Model Series will be in action with the “Scott Thompson Memorial Race” a 50 Lap, $3000 to win feature race. Also racing will be the Limited Sprints, Street Stocks, Convire 4-Cylinder bombers and Vintage Cars. For more information call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!