Nov. 26th, 2011 – Four divisions were on hand tonight here at East Bay Raceway Park. The first feature of the evening went to the Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Limited Late Models. Just four points separated the top two in points. Scotty Williams was in first over second place Jason Pope. In the heat race, Williams had some problems and took his car to the pits. When the feature started, it was Scotty Williams who took the early lead with Pope chasing him. Several cautions came out bringing Pope just two cars back. On the last restart Williams was back out in front and by lap ten, had a straight away lead over Shane Koperda. Williams went on to win his fifth feature win of the season and winning the Championship by a mere two points over Jason Pope. Shane Koperda, Jason Pope, Tommy Evonosky, Sr., and John Gross were your top five. Jason Pope won the heat event and also won two tires courtesy of Q Auto & Injury Attorneys. Scotty Williams won his third different Championship in three different divisions. Winning the Outlaw 4’s and Gagel’s Open Wheel Modified Championship.
Next up was the Street Stocks for the 20 lap feature event presented by Budweiser paying $400 to win. Curtis Book and Jim Baker made up the front row. When the green flag dropped, Jim Baker took the early lead and was able to hold off Jeff Rodgers for twelve laps. Going into turn three, Rodgers took advantage of a lap car and passed Baker on lap thirteen. Caution came out on lap eighteen when a car spun in turn four. It would be a two lap dash to the finish when the green flag waved once more, Rodgers held off Baker for the remaining two laps and went on to win his thirteenth feature of the season. Baker was second while Thomas Burnside, Garry Sheffield and Bob Fleming rounded out the top five. Andy Lee and Rodgers won their heat races.
Next was a lucky fan getting a ride in East Bay’s two seater Late Model. Kevin Sholdice from Ontario, Canada was the lucky fan to ride with former Late Model Champion David Schmauss. Kevin said he enjoyed the adventure and looks forward to coming back during the Winternationals next year.
Top Gun Sprints made their way onto the track for their final race of the season. Danny Martin was the points leader for the series with a comfortable lead over last years Champion Tim George. Martin and George started on the ninth row for the feature. Shawn Murray and Mark Ruel, Jr. started on the front row for the original start, but coming out of turn four, Murray spun bringing out the caution and a complete restart. That brought Troy Knowles up to the pole along with Mark Ruel, Jr.. Ruel, Jr. took the early lead, but A.J. Maddox took over the lead after lap one. Several early cautions came out closing the field up behind Maddox on every restart. On lap eight, Tim George stopped on the front stretch with mechanical issues which ended his night. When the green flag waved, Robbie Smith was challenging Maddox for the lead and was able to capture the lead on lap fourteen and never looked back. Danny Martin finished second handing him the points 2011 Top Gun Sprints Championship unofficially. Maddox finished third while Matt Kurtz and Mark Ruel, Jr. rounded out the top five. Brett O’Donnell, Kurtz and Smith won their heat races.
The Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers were the last feature of the night. Robert Kissam and Kayla Jones made up the front row for the feature. Kissam took the lead when the green flag dropped with Jones right behind him. By lap five, Patrick Fiore had made his way to the front passing Kissam on lap five to take the lead and went on to win the feature. Jones finished second with Kissam finishing third. Don R. Quinn and Troy Dittebrand rounded out the top five. Fiore, Quinn and James Sears won the heat races.
ASA sanctioned racing returns to East Bay Raceway Park on Friday, December 2, 2011 with the NeSmith Late Models for a two day event paying $10,000 to win on Saturday night. Friday night will be the heat races for the NeSmith Late Models. Along with them will be Street Stocks, PLUS the Outlaw 4’s will be running topless as they take off their roofs for the Budweiser 20 lap feature event. On Saturday night will be the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers, Dirt Daubers, Old Time Mods and the Daytona Area Antique Racing Association. The NeSmith Late Models will run a 100 lap feature event on Saturday. For more information, go to www.eastbayracewaypark.com or call the track office.