Experience Prevails in Victory Lane at East Bay

June 25, 2011 – For the most part of the day, it seemed like Mother Nature was going to be the winner tonight. But, with patience and the hard working efforts of the East Bay Staff, the track was ready for racing tonight here at The Clay By The Bay.

First Feature of the night belonged to the Street Stocks. Just before their Feature was an autograph session featuring the Street Stocks. Kids of all ages were able to see and get their favorite driver’s autograph.

Driver’s then strapped in and got ready for their race. Mike Wilson and last week’s Feature winner, Jim Baker, made up the front row. But it was Tim Gay who took off from the start of the green flag as he started in the eight spot and charged up thru the field. Never looking back, he easily picked up his second feature win of the year in the division. Following him in second was Jeff Rodgers who started in the seventh spot. Jim Baker picked up third while Tim’s son and current point leader, Jarod Gay, picked up fourth and Mike Wilson rounded out the top five.
Tim also won the heat event earlier on.

Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds were next in line with their 15 Lap Feature event. The veteran Buzzie Reutimann and Rookie candidate Thomas Pratt made up the front row. Caution came out early as problems occurred for the 35 of Jerry Bruce, Jr.. Reutimann, Pratt, Sanders, Crouse and Inman were your top five. Caution came out again on lap six and Aileen Collins in her new ride spun on the front stretch with everyone avoiding her. Caution flew two more times before it was all said and done as the Veteran Buzzie Reutimann picked up his second feature win of the year. Thomas Pratt picked up second while last year’s Champion, Austin Sanders came home third with John Inman fourth, and Roger Crouse fifth. Reutimann and Pratt were also preliminary winners for their heat races.

Old Time Mods were back in action tonite as Bob Fink and Jamie Frankland started up front. But, the hard charging Tommy Zwally started fifth and by lap two was in the lead as he passed the leader Jamie Frankland and never looked back as they ran their entire feature caution free. Jamie Frankland finished second with Dan Darnell third. Lars Amundsen in his familiar 22 finished fourth and his son Zack finished fifth. George Hall and Lars Amundsen were your heat winners.

Late Models were next up with last year’s Champion, Bryan Bernhardt and Mavrick Varnadore making up the front row. When the green flag dropped, Mavrick took the early lead, but a caution came out in turn two for the M1 of John Norris spinning and collecting five cars. All cars were able to continue. So a complete restart was in order for the start. Mavrick Varnadore once again jumped out in the early lead, but by lap four, Dave Schmauss took over the top spot. Several cautions flew through out the race, but no one could catch the 105 of Schmauss. Positions two thru five were in a constant battle between Mavrick and Travis Varnadore, Bryan Bernhardt and Ryan Mitchell. But after the checkered flag flew, it was Dave Schmauss picking up his second feature win of the year, with Travis Varnadore second, Bryan Bernhardt third, Mavrick Varnadore fourth and Ryan Mitchell finished with a top five. Travis Varnadore, Mitchell and Schmauss were heat race winners earlier on.

Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers were the final event of the night. Don R. Quinn and last weeks feature winner in her “Orange Pumpkin” was Kayla Jones. From the drop of the green flag, Kayla had a point to prove as she was the only female driver in the entire Bomber field.

As they headed into turn one, Kayla took off and left the guys behind. But, its was Don R. Quinn who brought out the first caution on lap 7 collecting three more cars. Two more cautions were brought out as Dalton Epps and Jimmy Odell both had problems. Kayla was holding off hard charger and three time feature winner, Troy “Socks” Dittebrand and Roberto Morfin, Jr. Jason and Thomas Burnside also were charging towards the front as well trying to pick up a win as well.

But when all was said and done, Kayla proved to the guys that she is definitely there to race.Troy Dittebrand finished second while Roberto Morfin, Sr. had third, but after tech, Morfin’s third place was disallowed after a tire infringement. So, that moved Jason Burnside into third while Thomas Burnside finished fourth and Randy Tyler finished fifth. Dalton Epps and Gene Gross picked up the heat wins.

Winning the two tires courtesy of the class sponsor, Q Auto & Injury’s Limited Late Models was Shane Koperda.

ASA sanctioned racing returns to East Bay Raceway Park on Saturday, July 9, 2011. Headlining that night will be the Q Auto & Injury Attorney’s Limited Late Models, Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers, Dirt Daubers and the popular Fan Participation races. For more information, go to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call the track office. Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July.