ROSEVILLE >> After setting fast time and winning the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash, Jay Linstroth of Citrus Heights raced to a $1,000 victory in race No. 3 of the North State Modified Series at All American Speedway on Saturday night in Roseville.
It was Linstroth”s second win in the new modified series as he also won the first race at Shasta Speedway on May 5.
The Road Safety 60 feature saw 17 modifieds take the green flag with pole setter John Mamula giving up the top spot to Ricky Bowers at the drop of the green flag. Michael Mitchell ran into the back of Mamula on the second round, resulting in Mamula spinning in turn one and bringing out the first yellow flag. With both cars going to the back, Jason Philpot found himself on the outside of Bowers for the double-file restart where he powered into the lead on lap five. When Philpot was clear, Linstroth began his forward drive, passing Bowers on lap seven. A four-lap battle saw Linstroth try Philpot high and low and although Philpot fought hard, Linstroth forged ahead and into the lead on lap 11.
A solo spin by Rich Cobb in turn four saw the yellow fly a second time. Both Don Swartz and Mamula retired their cars to the pits under the caution. When racing resumed, Linstroth took command again with Philpot, Bowers, Dustin DeRosier and Darrin Knight next in line.
The race was slowed again on lap 24 when Christman and Cobb tangled in turn three, and at the Scrubba Bub”s halfway mark it was Linstroth, Philpot, Bowers, DeRosier, Knight, Cody Braund, Nick Lyons, Dave Campbell, Mitchell, Michael Morrison, Aaron Hicks, Kyle Borden, Cobb and Christman.
Because of the fair-time early curfew, officials shortened the race to 50 laps and began to count the yellow laps in an effort to give the PCS late models plenty of time for their 100-lapper. Just when it looked like the race would finish without incident, Knight”s car slapped the wall coming out of turn four. It rode the wall, causing sparks all the way into turn one where it came to rest. The pack drove the following three laps under yellow with Linstroth winning over Philpot, Bowers and DeRosier. Mitchell came back after his early-race incident to finish fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Lyons, Braund, Campbell, Morrison, and Borden.
Linstroth captured the Swartz Diesel fast time award with his 13.741-second lap. The Wente Hard Charger award went to Kyle Borden.
The next NSMS Modified Series race will be on July 5 at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka. Visit NorthStateModifieds.com or the North State Modifieds Facebook page for more information.
