October 20, 2012 – Tampa, FL – Late Models, Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw Fours and V8 Warriors were all here tonight at The Clay by the Bay.
The first feature of the night went to the Street Stocks. Garry Sheffield and Tim Powers won their heat races and made up the front row for the feature event. Tim Powers took the early lead, but on lap three, the red came out as Jimmy Baker and Kenny Myers tangled on the front stretch. Both drivers were ok, but Myers was not able to continue. Several cautions came out throughout the race until the final caution as points leader Eric Moon and Donnie Reed tangled in turn two. When the final green waved, Tim Powers picked up his second feature win here at East Bay for the 2012 Season. Matthew Grissom, Dennis Wilson, Jr., Buck Woodhouse and Brian Morgan rounded out the top five.
Outlaw Fours were next with Billy Howard and Jesse Foster winning their heat races. For the feature event it was a pair of young drivers making up the front row, Brandon Yates and Megan Meyer. Yates took the early lead until Meyer spun in turn two after running third. On the restart, Yates continued to lead, but on lap five Yates and Hohlbaugh tangled sending Hohlbaugh to the pits. With only one more caution coming out, Foster was able to take over the top spot and go on to win his very first feature at East Bay Raceway Park. Howard went on to finish second as Brittany Yates, J.R. Baker and Brandon Yates rounded out the top five.
Next up was the 25 lap feature event for the Late Models. Travis Varnadore, Phillip Cobb and Dave Schmauss won their heat races. For the feature it was Keith Nosbisch returning and getting ready for the Donnie Tanner Memorial next weekend’s 50 lap feature event. Beside him would be Mavrick Varnadore for the front row. From the drop of the green it was all Keith Nosbisch as he led the first thirteen laps picking off lapped cars one by one until the first caution came out. Several more cautions came out until the red came out with just a handful of laps when third place Roger Crouse spun in turn two collecting several cars. When the final green waved, it was Nosbisch back in Victory Lane. “This is a brand new Crate Motor that my wife helped with and seemed to go flat with just a few laps left” Nosbisch stated in Victory Lane. “I am tuning up for the last Donnie Tanner Memorial that I have not been able to run yet.” Nosbisch also stated. Finishing second with a good run was Steven Mathis, Jr. as Steve Miller, Phillip Cobb and Jack Nosbisch, Jr. rounded out the top five.
Next in line was the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds. Bill Howard and Bruce Harvey won their heat race and also made up the front row for the feature event. Harvey took the early lead with Pratt and Howard right behind him until the first caution came out on lap five. On the restart, Pratt spun in turn two after running in the third spot putting him to the longest line to the rear of the field. Then on another restart, Austin Sanders and David Pollen, Jr. tangled on the front stretch with both of them spinning and going to the rear of the field as well. After several more cautions, Bobby Dixon took the lead with just a five laps to go and went on to win his second feature of the season. Harvey, Jerry Bruce, Pollen, Jr. and Sanders rounded out the top five.
The final event of the night went to the V8 Warriors. Bill Whitney and Bill Dixon won their heat races. For the feature event, it was Jeff Firestine and Jason Manning making up the front row. Firestine took the early lead with Manning battling for several laps. On lap three, third place Derek Gray spun in turn two. So after the field was lined up, once again Firestine and Manning traded places. But on Lap eleven, a new leader emerged as Bill Whitney took over the top spot and going on to pick up his very first feature win. Firestine finished second with Marco Reyes finishing third after starting in the rear and going to the pits once. Manning and Don Jones rounded out the top five.
ASA Racing continues next week as the Late Models return for their third and final race of the Donnie Tanner Memorial Series. Along with them will be the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers and the Old Time Mods. Also next weekend is Breast Cancer Awareness night and Trick or Treating for the kids 12 & under. For further information, log on to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call 813-677-7223 for more information.