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| 2004 REGULAR SEASON IS UNDERWAY AT EASTBAY MARCH 6 2004 | 2004 REGULAR SEASON IS UNDERWAY AT EASTBAY MARCH 6 2004
By Whit Holley
After five weeks of Winternationals racing the 2004 regular season opened tonight with six classes of racing on "The Clay By The Bay". Two off property power outages shut down the track lights and damaged the sound system but with lots of help and the patience of our GREAT fans we were able to complete the show. Thankfully both times the lights went out the caution lights were on and the field of cars was moving at a slow pace, other wise it could have been much worse. The limited late models took the first feature green flag of the year with fourth place starter Bill Howard moving quickly to the front. Howard would try and check out on the field but several yellows would allow everyone to catch back up. After 15 laps the #48 saw the checkerd flag first with Tommy Evonosky taking second, William Hampton third, Ronnie Heard fourth, and J.R. Prather rounding out the top five. Heats went to Forest Gough and Ricky Land. Next up were the limited sprints and Clyde Poole made his first trip to victory lane in several months after recovering form an off track injury. Chasing Clyde were Tim Holston, Tim George, Larry Brazil Jr., and Rich Alexander. Holston won the single heat. Open wheel modifieds saw a suprised "Prime Time" Bobby Dixon take the win after leader John Bradley thought he saw the checkers and backed off on the white flag lap. A real shame for Bradley as he had a stellar drive from seventh starting spot to the lead. Positions two-five went to David Boerner, Brian Hollifield, Greg Edwards, and Buddy Wisham. The heats went to Buzzie Reutimann and Bradley. The street stocks were timed out after eleven laps with Jack Rowland taking the green, white, checker finish. Wayne Hayes, Tony Jackson, Steven Johnson, and Tim Spencer would follow in that order. The heats were called due to time constraints caused by the power failures. Devin Dixon started on the pole for tonights 25 lap late model feature and would lead every lap. Several drivers had their chance but Dixon was able to put his #2 anywhere on the track he needed and fight off all challengers. Completing the all veteran top five were Kieth Nosbisch, David Schmauss, Donnie Tanner, and Bobby Alexander. No heats. Mini Stocks rounded out the nights action and Scotty Williams would bring home a popular win followed by Jimmy Waldrop, Ryan Mitchell, Chad Rose, and Jim Courson in that order. All in all it was a strange but entertaining night with the owners of ERP putting on a huge unplanned fireworks display for the fans during the power failures. Thanks go out to track Chaplin Natz Peters and Circle Track editor Larry Jewett for their help in the booth. Also a special thank you to Donnie Walker for your help nursing the power surge damaged sound system through the night. And a huge thanks to the BEST FANS IN THE COUNTRY right here at EASTBAY RACEWAY PARK!
SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!
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