By: Larry Jewett
8/7/2010
Five divisions presented an exciting program as action in August was ushered in at East Bay Raceway Park.
The night started with sad news of the passing of longtime track announcer Jack Miller. The veteran microphone master, well respected in the Sprint Car community, had thrilled fans for many seasons at the oval and served as an inspiration for those who followed in the chair.
Outlaw 4s hit the track and saw Billy Howard go wire-to-wire to pick up his fifth win of the season. That ties him with point leader Matthew Haynes, who stayed close throughout the race. Howard had his hands full with Shirlene Hammond, who returned to the track after the work on her car has lasted all day and the ride arrived just before the first race. Hammond kept second with Haynes third, followed by Chris Zimmerman and Keith Heard. The heats were won by Brittany Yates and Hammond.
A combination class of Gadgets and Micro Sprints offered a heat and a feature. The heat was won by Cliff Evans while Ivan Page proved to be the class of the field in the main.
Precision Kia Street Stocks brought a field of 18 cars for a 15-lap main. Early leader Collin Kruse kept command for the first four laps before yielding the top spot to James Hook. Kruse tried to regain the lead, leading to a three-car battle between the two and Clarance Pratt through the last three laps. Hook was parked in Victory Lane, but a protest proved beneficial for those who chased him to the line. Hook was whistled for a tech infraction, giving the win to Clarence Pratt. Kruse was awarded second, ahead of Donnie Reed, Thomas Pratt and Buck Woodhouse. Heats were won by Thomas Pratt and Reed.
Limited Late Models saw John Bradley make a strong move on early leader Tim Gay and run strong to the finish in the 15-lapper. Gay claimed second with Roger Crouse, Tim Powers and Scotty Williams posting top five runs. Bradley and point leader Forrest Gough took their heat wins.
A field of 36 motorstats.com 4 Cylinders forced an A main and a B main with the top eight finishers in the heats moving to the A. The A main saw point leader Kever Raulerson notch his first feature win and give him more of a cushion over the rest of the field with his wire-to-wire run. Patrick Fiore rebounded from being shuffled early to claim second. Patrick Tabb Jr., celebrating a birthday, was also able to charge back through the field after being involved in a seven-car accident. Tabb finished third, ahead of Gene Gross and Johnnie Alexander. The B main was won by Robert Kissam, who inherited the lead when runaway leader Michael Eaton pulled off with two laps to go. Heats were won by Raulerson, Matthew Odel and Don T. Quinn.
ASA Sanctioned racing returns to East Bay Raceway Park on Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. Racing divisions include Gagels’ Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds, Precision Kia Street Stocks, Outlaw 4s, motiorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers, Dirt Daubers and Old time Modifieds. For more information, go to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call the track office.