ANDERSON >> The North State Modified Series, one that features several Lake County drivers, just completed its inaugural season in 2014 and is looking forward to bigger and better things in 2015.
The series gives those men and women who want to race modifieds, but not at the same track every week, the opportunity to compete at a professional level with full fields of race cars. Competing drivers currently hail from northern Oregon to southern California.
The first season saw six events held at three different races tracks — the one-third-mile track at Shasta Speedway in Anderson; the three-eighths-mile oval at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka; and the one-third-mile track at All American Speedway in Roseville. The series featured 39 modified drivers with a high of 24 cars starting. The series saw four different feature winners and five different winners in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash.
Jay Linstroth of Citrus Heights emerged as the North State Modified Series champion with his three series victories. He also racked up a second at Roseville and a third at Eureka while also capturing the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash twice.
Points runner-up Cody Braund of Anderson didn”t win an event but did finish second at Redwood Acres Raceway. He had three top-five finishes and never placed lower than seventh. His biggest accomplishment was setting fast time at the closing show at All American Speedway on Sept. 20. He also earned the Wenteq Hard Charger Award at both the May events.
Redding driver Michael Morrison finished third in the series points chase. His season highlight was a $1,000 win on Aug. 2 during the Road Safety 60 feature at All American Speedway. He also had three top-five finishes and won the dash at Shasta. He was presented the Hard Charger Award on Sept. 20.
Although he missed the first show at Shasta, fourth-place series finisher Darrin Knight of Kelseyville demonstrated his driving skills by capturing a feature event at Redwood Acres Raceway. His single win was followed by a second, also at Eureka, and two thirds at All American Speedway.
Richie Potts of Petaluma rounded out the top five in the North State Modified Series championship points battle. He missed the first Roseville show but was charging to the front the entire season. His best efforts included a fourth-, fifth- and two sixth-place finishes.
Placing fifth through 10th in overall points during the 2014 season were Oregon driver Rich Cobb with three top-10 finishes; Dustin DeRoiser of Cloverdale also with three top-10 finishes; Kyle Borden of Cottonwood with a second-place finish at Shasta and four top-10 finishers; Jason Philpot of Sacramento with a feature win at All American Speedway; and Don Swartz of Grass Valley.
Series organizers Jeff Stephens along with Bob and Nadine Strauss hope to add stops at Ukiah Speedway, Lakeport Speedway and the Stockton 99 Speedway in 2015. The season opener is April 18 at All American Speedway.
