LAKEPORT – Racers and fans made their way to the Lakeport Speedway Saturday as a variety of races took place.
The Legends of the Pacific made their second stop at the speedway. Luis Tyrrell jumped out to the early lead followed by Jessica Walker. Tyrrell had a strong lead and was forced to face a restart when a late caution came out on Lap 25. The restart proved little problem for Tyrell, who held on and took the checkers, followed by Walker.
The lawn mower racers were back for their last race in Lakeport prior the fair weekend. The race halted for a late caution, and upon the restart, mower No. 49 had the lead and took the win ahead of the No. 51 and No. 18 mowers.
The midgets put on a good show with 14 cars taking the green flag and Shannon McQueen sitting on the pole. McQueen jumped out to an early lead followed by Kevin Morris. Morris eventually took the lead and held on for the win ahead of McQueen. The Taco Bell Bombers also put on an exciting main race, with Collins ultimately taking the win.
The first race of the evening perhaps provided the most excitement, but for the wrong reason.
The Lake County Off Road Extreme Asphalt Outlaws saw eight cars ready to set to the track to try and get fast time, until an accident happened in the pit area involving the top young driver in the outlaw field, Kyle Tellstrom.
After losing a rear end in the final practice session and making a trip to Ukiah to get a spare set of gears, an accident occurred while those gears were being changed at the Lakeport Speedway. Upon changing the axle, the car fell off of the rear jack-stands and landed on Tellstrom as he was under the car putting the set of gears back in the car.
The car was quickly removed off of Tellstrom and speedway staff jumped into action, prepping and stabilizing Tellstrom”s wounds until the ambulance arrived. After it was determined that he was going to be airlifted out to the trauma center in Santa Rosa, speedway officials prepped the infield for the air ambulance to land to pick up Tellstrom.
With no news from the trauma center on his condition, the racers went on with preparing their cars to race. The race started with some drivers, who had Tellstrom”s incident fresh on their minds, placing the number “5k” on the sides of their cars when they took the racetrack.
On the inside pole was Justin Dutcher with Steve Taylor on the outside pole. Dutcher jumped out to the early lead with Lyndall on his tail with Sweeney making his way up through the field of cars. Sweeney jumped into the lead on Lap 9 followed by Collins, but Sweeney held onto the lead and took the race.
There have been no updates on Tellstrom”s condition.
Racing resumes at Lakeport Speedway on Aug. 6t with the Lake County Off Road Extreme Asphalt Outlaws, the Coors Light Modifieds, the Rental Solution Mini Stocks, the Taco Bell Bombers and the Clover Hydro Jammers.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing starting at 6:30 p.m. For complete event details visit the speedway website at www.lakeportspeedway.com or call the speedway office at 279-9577.
