UKIAH >> Charlie Collins of Upper Lake took the lead at the drop of the green flag and led every lap to win the Protect the Harvest Nor Cal 60 and its $1,250 payday on Saturday night during North State Modified Series racing action at the Ukiah Speedway.
Trevor Cristiani of Nampa, Idaho set the fast time of 13.181 seconds over the 23-car field and then drew No. 4 for the inversion. That put Collins and Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville in the front row for the start of the main event, Kris Price of Rio Linda and Cristiani in row two, and Sacramento’s Jason Philpot and NSMS defending points champion and current points leader Darrin Knight of Kelseyville in row three.
Before even one lap was complete, Tim Buzzard Jr. and Sal Lopez came together and Buzzard had to retire to the pits with a blown tire. At the same time, Kris Price had his run end with suspension problems.
When racing resumed, Collins and Sullivan ran side by side for three rounds before the race was slowed again after Richie Potts was tagged from behind by Rich Cobb, sending Potts into a spin in turn two. While under the caution Lopez discovered he had no brakes left and parked his car. Adrianna Strugnell pitted for adjustments but rejoined the field at the back of the pack.
The cars stayed tight on the restart with Collins showing the way. Sullivan ran a strong second with Philpot third, Cristiani fourth and Knight fifth. The yellow flag flew again on lap 14 when Ross English’s car lost its rear end and slammed hard into the front-stretch concrete. The damage was so severe that it took two tow trucks to remove English’s car from the track. English was uninjured.
Two laps later Philpot slipped under Sullivan for second place. Knight swapped places with Sullivan on lap 18. Philpot ran tight on Collins’ bumper and tried to nudge under Collins, but Collins was on a mission and drove his line.
Meanwhile at mid-pack the cars were bunched up double-file with a good battle among Cody Braund, Terry Deal, Bryan Denton and Sierra Furia. Cristiani inched by Sullivan on lap 21. At the halfway marker it was Collins, Philpot, Knight, Cristiani, Sullivan, Eric Price Jr., Dustin DeRosier, Andy Vanderveer, Eric Johnson, Furia, Braund, Deal, Bryan Denton, Potts, Cobb, Simi Tour, Terry Pittman, Strugnell and Tyler Caturegli.
The leaders caught the back runners on lap 35 with Collins easily driving around Caturegli, Strugnell, Pittman and Tour. Philpot slid high on the track and before he could regain momentum both Knight and Cristiani gained position. Potts spun in turn four on lap 47. At that point Pittman was the “Lucky Dog” and was able to get his lap back. Three rounds later Deal lost control and spun on the front stretch.
The final caution fell on the 56th circuit as Deal and Pittman crashed, collecting both Caturegli and Tour. The final four laps went without incident and at the checkered flag it was Collins, Knight, Cristiani, Philpot, Eric Price, Sullivan, DeRosier, Vanderveer, Johnson, and Furia.
Collins is now only seven points behind Knight in the North State Modified Series championship battle through the first six races of the season.
Cristiani earned the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award. Strugnell won her first Lucas Oil Dash for Cash to collect $100 while Braund finished second for $50. Furia passed the most cars for the Keyser Hard Charger Award, Sullivan received the Naake Suspension Award, the DJ Safety Certificate went to Tour, and Braund got the Racer Bling Award. The Scribner Plastic jugs went to Strugnell and Braund.
The North State Modified Series will take a break from the heat before it returns to Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka on July 22. All modified drivers entering the race in Eureka receive a $100 tow money bonus, which is in addition to the top 15 in points earning weekly Lucas Oil Tow Money.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Sinister Diesel, Ward Ranches, Penney Racing Supply, American Racer Tires, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Race Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, DJ Safety, and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.
NSMS modified rules, procedures, and schedules are available at www.northstatemodifieds.com.
