LAKEPORT — The Northern California Racing Association hosted its 41st annual awards banquet on Saturday night at the Konocti Vista Resort & Casino. The top drivers in NCRA”s modified, mini-stock, bomber and street stock divisions during the recently concluded 2006 season were honored as was the L.A. Cruiser champion.
More than $15,000 in cash as well as trophies were distributed the night”s festivities, which drew a crowd of 200.
The evening began with a welcome presentation by speedway manager Nadine Strauss and the introduction of the NCRA officers, directors and officials. Track announcer Blue Pabst acted as master of ceremonies, while NCRA director Jinjer Hearn and NCRA secretary Wendy McIntire handed out the awards.
Special recognition included the $200 Linnell Printing Award, which was presented to Jonathon Reynolds of Lakeport. Hearn presented her popular director”s awards to Al Cipparrone, Rich Schramm, Jr., Mill Mucci, Wendy McIntire, Brad Laird and the Red Neck Racing team.
The “Kermit Knudson Rookie of the Year” awards were presented to the rookie drivers who finished with the most points in each class. These awards went to Reynolds in the modified division, Davey Coyne in the mini-stock class, and Mike Bray in the bombers.
In NCRA”s premier division, Terry McIntire of Kelseyville cinched his third consecutive modified championship, which was a first in the 41-year history of NCRA. McIntire pocketed more than $1,000 and took home a 4-foot tall trophy as well as a Lakeport Speedway champion jacket. October Classic winner David Furia finished second, veteran driver Bob Strauss was third, Danny Bishop came in fourth, Jeremy Nowlin was fifth, Mike Smithhart placed sixth, Reynolds took seventh and Ron Conner was eighth.
Street stock champion Chris Salmina of Clearlake was not in attendance because of a previous commitment. Second-place finisher Sean Keown accepted his first trophy running under NCRA. Kevin Waycik finished third with Charlie Collins fourth and Bill Mucci fifth.
The mini-stock champ-ionship went to 17-year- old Rich Schramm Jr. of Nice. Fred Schmidt, the oldest driver at Lakeport Speedway at age 68, finished in second place ahead of Coyne, Mitch Preston and Laird.
In the bomber division, it was “Gentleman” Geo-rge Abella of Lakeport who snagged his first championship. Second place — for the third year in a row — went to Ukiah”s Jimmy Sorrels. Jon Waner finshed third, Robert Byers was fourth and Andy Norton came in fifth. Finishing sixth through 11th were Mike Bray, Ron Portlock, Adam Oubre, Chuck Hackbarth, Virgil Cokelely and Roy Funderburk.
The L.A. Cruiser division crowned Rick Bryant of Lucerne as its champion. Bob Strauss, Paul Lauenroth and Mike Smithhart were the next three top finishers.
Changes for the 2007 racing season include the possibility of running a limited schedule at Lakeport Speedway and joining forces with the Ukiah Speedway for an overall points championships in the modified, mini-stock, bomber and bonus bomber (old street stock) divisions. Rules for all four classes are now available at the Lakeport Speedway office in Lucerne.
