LAKEPORT >> Saturday night was all about Kelseyville’s Darrin Knight, who dominated the field during North State Modified Series (NSMS) action at the Lakeport Speedway.
In the one and only visit by the NSMS at Lakeport this season, Knight took full advantage. He was first in the $100 Lucas Oil Dash for Cash and he won the $1,000 prize for his dominating victory in the 60-lap Swartz Diesel feature event.
Twenty-one cars packed the racing card and the old modified track record of 12.519 seconds set by Ukiah’s Kyle Tellstrom in July of 2014 was broken no fewer than five times. The fastest qualifying lap went to Tripp Gaylor from Golden, Colorado, with a mark of 12.287. He took home the Penney Racing Supply Fast Time Award. Also beating the old record were Upper Lake’s Mike Collins (12.343), Loomis’ Michael Mitchell (12.406), Tellstrom (12.424) and Knight (12.430).
The sixth fastest qualifier, David Lyndall, was involved in a mishap in the dash and was unable to repair his car in time for the main event.
With rookie driver Darin Sullivan and Brian Denton electing to start the feature in the back and Lyndall unable to start, the 10-car invert put Eric Johnson and Charlie Collins in the front row followed by second-row starters Tellstrom and Knight. Charlie Collins pulled ahead at the start, but on lap two Sullivan slapped the wall. A yellow slowed the race the following round when Tellstrom spun after making contact with Cody Braund.
Knight took control of the race on the restart with Charlie Collins and Mike Collins next in line as Johnson dropped to fourth. Both David Rank and Brian Collins were early dropouts. The race was slowed again on lap nine when a side-by-side battle ended with both Mike Neilson and Bobby Hirschbock crashing on the backstretch. Neilson was towed to the pits but Hirschbock rejoined the field after a quick tire change.
When racing resumed, Knight maintained the lead but Mike Collins drove under Charlie Collins for second. Mitchell jumped into fourth as Gaylord inched by Johnson for fifth. As Knight and Mike Collins pulled away, Mitchell was sizing up Charlie Collins. Meanwhile Braund passed Johnson to join the frontrunners as the lapping process began.
The yellow flag flew again on lap 29 when Tellstrom’s car lost power and stalled in turn one. Tellstrom drove his mount to the pits, ending his run. The next four rounds saw Mitchell move to the high side where he finally completed the pass on Charlie Collins on lap 33. Next it was Gaylord’s run on Charlie Collins, but when it did not work for him on the outside he snuck under Collins. All eyes were on these two. Finally with only four laps to go, Gaylord pulled ahead.
The final mishap happened on the white flag lap when Gaylord made contact while lapping Kelsie Martin, spinning Martin on the backstretch. Charlie Collins was able to drive by Gaylord as the pack raced back under green to the checkered flag. Knight had three lapped cars between him and second-place finisher Mike Collilns. Mitchell finished third with Charlie Collins fourth and Gaylord fifth.
Rounding out the top 10 were Braund, Denton, Mike Sullivan, Johnson and Michael Morrison.
Denton passed the most cars to win the Wenteq Hard Charger Award. Braund was the winner of the Naake Suspension award, and the F.R.E. Certificates went to Morrison and Martin. Martin and Hirschbock received fuel jugs from Scribner Plastics.
The next North State Modified race is May 24 at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka. Practice is May 23 beginning at 2 p.m. Details can be obtained at NorthStateModifieds.com or the North State Modifieds Series facebook page.
