ANDERSON >> Jason Philpot of Sacramento carried the day but it was Darrin Knight of Kelseyville who ended up the big winner on Saturday as the North State Modfied Series wrapped up the season with the 60-lap Lloyd Burton Against the Wind Modfied Challenge at the Shasta Speedway in Anderson.
Philpot led wire to wire while claiming his fourth race of the 2016 season and the $1,500 first-place prize. Knight, who finished a close second, came away with the NSMS points championship for the second year in a row. He finished with 687 points to easily outdistance points runner-up Charlie Collins (594), Darrin Sullivan (584) and Mike Collins (542).
Nineteen modifieds clocked in to participate in the season-ending event that featured an $11,000 purse, a purse that was doubled courtesy of Burton’s brother-in-law, Mort Houston, NSMS, and other Burton family members and friends. Lloyd Burton was a native of Shasta County who was involved in racing, promoting and officiating at several tracks in Horthern California. He was also the founder of the Northern California Auto Racing Alumni Association.
Charlie Collins of Lakeport set a new modified track record of 15.922 seconds with Knight the only other driver in the 15-second bracket at 15.975. Collins drew an eight for the invert, placing local driver Cody Braund, driving the Bob Lehman No. 82, and Philpot in the front row. NSMS 2016 Rookie of the Year Sullivan and Richie Potts shared row two, with Roseburg’s Tom Ford and Eric Johnson in the third row. Knight and Charlie Collins were next in line.
Philpot forged ahead at the start with Braund and Sullivan next in line. Before even one lap was complete a six-car pileup in turn four resulted in Potts, Johnson, Guy Young and Herman Pulyer being towed to the pits. Terry Deal and Michael Morrison also pitted but returned to the track and were placed at the back of the field.
When racing finally got underway again, Philpot powered ahead, again followed by Braund, Sullivan, Knight, Charlie Collins and Rich Cobb. Collins swapped places with Knight on lap four as Philpot was driving away. Collins drove by Sullivan for third on lap 13 with Knight passing Sullivan the following round.
Both Collins and Knight were on a mission and when the lapping process began, Collins swapped places with Braund and set his sights on the leader. Knight moved into third, dropping Braund to fourth on the 20th circuit, as Philpot was enjoying a five-car-length advantage on his competitors.
Collins and Knight gained ground on Philpot by mid-race and at the Swartz Diesel halfway marker the running order was Philpot, Charlie Collins, Knight, Braund, Sullivan, Morrison, Cobb, Mike Collins, Codi Barba, Terry Deal, Tom Ford, Josh Stewart, Adrianna Strugnell and John Baker.
Baker spun on lap 37 to bring out the second yellow flag and at that point Terry Deal was given the lucky dog, placing him back on the leader’s lap.
The next five laps saw Charlie Collins attempt to move under Philpot, but each attempt failed. At the same time Collins’ car showed signs of something rubbing on his tire, causing it to smoke. Track officials stopped the race to check the tire and both the officials and the driver determined that Collins could continue. However, the cards were not in Collins’ favor and the tire blew the following round, ending his bid for the win.
The final laps saw Philpot and Knight running nose to tail. At the checkered flag it was Philpot, Knight, Braund, Sullivan, Morrison, Mike Collins, Cobb, Barba, Deal, Ford, Stewart and Strugnell. Randy Houston, Lloyd Burton’s nephew, developed enine problems in hot laps and was unable to start. Burton’s wife, Mary Burton, son Danny Burton, daughter Christine Burton and their families presented the hand-carved eagle trophy to Philpot. Philpot’s name also will be engraved on the 4-foot tall perpetual trophy donated by Mort Houston.
In the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash, Terry Deal collected $100 for the win while Mike Collins received $50 for second. Barba won the Wenteq Hard Charger Award. Charlie Collins earned the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award. Naake Suspention prizes went to Morrison and Deal. Strugnell won the D.J. Safety certificate.
The North State Modified Series 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, and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.
