EUREKA >> Darrin Knight of Kelseyville set the fast time of 16.192 seconds before going on to win the Swartz Diesel Super 60 on Saturday night during North State Modified Series (NSMS) racing action at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka.
Presented by Protect the Harvest, the NSMS racing card was part of Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram night at the races in Eureka. Knight, the series points leader entering Saturday’s action, not only padded his points lead but picked up a first-place check for $1,000.
Mike Collins of Lakeport led the field to the starting line but it was Darin Snider who emerged from the first corner with the lead. Rick Andersen slapped the wall on the backstretch during lap two and as he was trying to recover his car clipped Eric Johnson’s car. The impact sent Anderson into a 360-degree spin and although all cars continued, the incident created a blinding dust storm that brought out the yellow flag.
Snider elected to restart in the outside lane and once again took control of the race with Mike Collins second, Knight third, Charlie Collins fourth and Darrin Sullivan fifth. Richie Potts swapped places with Sullivan a short time later.
Knight made his move on lap four, diving under Mike Collins to assume second place. Charlie Collins moved past Mike Collins for third a short time later. Snider had built a comfortable lead by that point but Knight steadily chipped away at the leader and was right on Snider’s bumper by lap 18.
Snider continued into the lead and at the Wrap Star Pro halfway marker it was Snider, Knight, Charlie Collins, Mike Collins, Potts, Sullivan, Johnson, Rich Cobb, Sierra Furia, Anderson, Herman Pulyer, Codi Barba, Ian Elliott, Adrianna Strugnell, Orion Mosher and Randy Houston.
Five laps later Snider’s car pushed slightly and it was all that Knight needed to take over the lead for good. At the same time Charlie Collins also passed Snider to assume second place.
As the top four cars pulled away there was a good battle going on at mid-pack with Sullivan taking position away from Potts, and Andersen batting with Furia. The last half of the race saw the leaders flawlessly move through lapped traffic.
Snider’s car lost its power steering on lap 42, ending its run while Barba’s car lost its rear end and drove to the pits on lap 51. Knight ledd the pack to the checkered flag followed by Charlie Collins, Mike Collins, Sullivan and Johnson. Rounding out the top 10 were Potts, Andersen, Cobb, Pulyer and Furia.
In the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash, Potts collected $100 for the win and Johnson received $50 for second. Charlie Collins earned the Wenteq Hard Charger Award, Cobb took home the Naake Suspension award, and the DJ Safety Certificate went to Sullivan. The Scribner Plastics award went to Furia and Snider. Knight earned the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award.
The NSMS holds its seventh point race of the season Aug. 13 at Madera Speedway. The modifieds are running on the same card as the Pacific Challenge Series Late Models.
The NSMX is presented by Protect the Harvest, Swartz Diesel, Lucas Oil, Sinister Diesel, Penney Racing Supply, American Racer Tires, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Wrap Star Pro, Wenteq, Scribner Plastics, DJ Safety, Renner Petroleum and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.
