By: Larry Jewett
06/26/2010
Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modified point leader Austin Sanders prevailed in an exciting feature to cap off a six-division program as East Bay Raceway Park slammed the door on the month of June.
The night’s action began with the Limited Late Models as John Bradley prevailed for his second feature win. Forrest Gough came from the rear of the field to score a second place, ahead of heat race winner Bob Peterson, Scotty Williams and Dan Darnell. Shane Koperda also scored a heat win.
The Precision Kia of Wesley Chapel Street Stocks saw Donnie Reed go wire-to-wire to pick up his fifth win of the year. He was hounded by Eric Moon and point leader Thomas Pratt, who finished second and third. Jeff Rodgers ran a steady fourth while Buck Woodhouse came up to fifth, despite being sent to the tail after four laps for a turn four incident. Moon, Ron Abney and Collin Kruse claimed preliminaries.
The program was halted for 30 minutes after the Street Stock main due to rain and lightning. When the show resumed, the 4 Cylinder Bombers stepped up to the plate and brought 30 cars out for the start of their 15-lap main. Point leader Kever Raulerson appeared to be on the way to a win when the car suffered issues two laps from the finish. For Elliott Morgan, it was vindication. Morgan was transported from the track two weeks ago after a backstretch wreck, but tonight his race ended in Victory Lane. Michael Eaton picked up second with Troy Dittebrand charging from deep in the field for a third place run. Fourth went Kelli Hill with Gene Gross rounding out the top five. Raulerson, Johnnie Alexander and Roberto Morfin Sr. started their nights with heat wins.
The Florida Old Time Modified race saw a return winner in Tommy Zwally, who scooted to the lead in a battle of ’37 Fords, besting Roger Herbach. Gary Riccio took top honors in the eight-car heat.
The East Bay Sprints rolled out to a track perfectly suited for exciting action. Travis Bliemeister used the pole start to his advantage, sweeping out to the lead. Billy Boyd was his first pursuer, but Boyd was hunted down by Danny Martin Jr. As the field hit lapped traffic, Martin negotiated the situation better, coming out on top at the halfway mark. No one could catch Martin, who powered to a popular win. Bliemeister, Boyd, Tim George, and Rich Pratt (a former Late Model racer making his first East Bay start in a Sprint) rounded out the top five. George and Martin took heat wins.
And then, there were the Modifieds. Buzzie Reutimann moved from the outside of the front row for the early lead with Jeff Mathews in hot pursuit. Austin Sanders jumped to the top of the track and zipped past to grab the lead. Mathews became the aggressor in the chase for the lead with contact between the top two leading to body damage on both cars. Sanders continued to use the top of the track to his advantage, but had to work the magic on several restarts. Reutimann slipped past Mathews in time for the last restart, which saw Mathews advance before passing. Even though Mathews crossed second, he was scored fourth in the final tally, gaining second after spinning Reutimann on the race to the finish. Sanders scored his fourth feature win, a hard fought and popular victory. Reutimann was credited with second, ahead of Roger Crouse, Mathews and Bobby Dixon. Mathews and Sanders were winners of the heat events.
ASA Sanctioned racing returns to East Bay Raceway Park on Saturday, July 10th, 2010 with the start of the Red Hot Summer Series. Racing divisions include Limited Late Models, Precision Kia of Wesley Chapel Street Stocks, Outlaw 4s, motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers, Kid’s Bike races and Fan Participation Races. For more information, go to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call the track office.