ROSEVILLE >> Defending points champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville came from the eighth starting position, passed leader Darin Snider on lap 12 and went on to collect $1,000 for winning the second annual Sinister Diesel Gene Welch Classic as the North State Modified Series opened its 2017 schedule on Saturday night at All American Speedway in Roseville.
In the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash, Bryan Denton collected $100 for the win while Eric Johnson received $50 for second. Both drivers are from Kelseyville.
The season-opening race drew a record number of 26 modifieds to the Placer County facility. Charlie Collins earned $100 for winning Sunoco/Penney Racing Supply fast time award. He drew a 10 for the invert, putting Lakeport’s Sierra Furia and Redding’s Cody Braund in the front row for the 60-lap feature. Cody Thompson of Fremont and Santa Rosa’s Cameron Austin were in row two, Snider and Joe Rhodes Jr started in row three, Eric Price Jr and Knight shared row four, and Jason Philpot and Collins lined up in row five.
As the field was coming out of turn four for the green flag, a seven-car pile-up eliminated Rhodes and Sal Lopez. When racing finally got underway Braund pulled ahead of Furia with Thompson moving into third. Two laps later Furia drifted high, allowing Thompson, Snider, Knight, Price and Philpot to gain position.
The race was slowed again on lap five when Codi Barba spun in turn two. Braund chose the outside lane for the restart and quickly relinquished his lead to Snider and Knight. Price drove around Braund for third place on lap 10.
The yellow flag flew again on the 11th circuit when Oregon driver Rich Cobb lost control in turn four. When racing resumed, Knight took control. Five rounds later Price made an inside pass on Snider for second. By lap 20 Snider’s car developed a handing problem, allowing Philpot and Collins to move into third and fourth.
The lapping process began on lap 23 with Knight easily picking his way through slower traffic. Price, Philpot, Collins and Snider did the same on the long, 49-lap caution-free run. Knight took the checkered flag in front of Price, Philpot, Collins, Snider and Braund. Rounding out the top 10 and making themselves eligible for $200 in the Lucas Oil Tow Money program were Johnson, Austin, Darrin Sullivan and Dustin DeRosier.
Finishing 11th through 15th and eligible for $100 Lucas Oil tow money were Terry Deal, Furia, Denton, Adrianna Strugnell and Cobb.
Fourteen-year-old rising sprint car star Jake Andreotti, driving for Protect the Harvest modified, finished 16th in his asphalt debut followed by Simi Tour, Wade Coleman, Thompson, Barba, Tyler Wentworth, John Baker, Rhodes and Lopez. Richie Potts and Kris Price both suffered mechanical problems and were not able to start.
Race two for this popular series is May 6 at the Lakeport Speedway.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Sinister Diesel, Penney Racing Supply, American Racer Tires,Wrap Star Pro, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Race Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Wenteq, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, DJ Safety, and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.
NSMS modified rules, procedures and schedules are available at www.northstatemodifieds.com.
