EUREKA >> In his 2017 debut, Randy Houston of Medford, Oregon, led all but one round of the 60-lap feature Saturday night and held off the challenges of points leader Darrin Knight of Kelseyville to capture race No. 7 of the North State Modified Series at Eureka’s Redwood Acres Raceway.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest.
Charlie Collins of Upper Lake clocked in quickest over the 19-car field with a 16.267-second lap, which earned him the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award. Kris Price of Rio Linda had the next best time (16.344) followed by Knight (16.393) and Houston (16.411).
Collins drew the No. 4 for the invert, putting Houston and Knight in the front row. Knight powered to the lead at the start and held that position for a lap and a half, but Houston stayed right by his side and finally pulled ahead and into the lead. Knight dropped back in line followed by Collins, Kris Price, Darrin Sullivan, Eric Price and Dustin DeRosier.
The pack ran nose-to-tail the first 10 rounds. On lap 11, Houston ran high and Knight poked his nose in the hole. Houston quickly shut the door to maintain his lead. At the same time Sal Lopez retired his car to the pits. Houston’s car got loose on lap 14, giving Knight another opportunity, but Houston regrouped and stayed out front. Lap 18 saw Darrin Sullivan steal fourth away from Kris Price.
The lapping process began on lap 20 with Orion Mosher going down a lap, and the leaders caught and passed Adrianna Strugnell on lap 22. Dave Campbell drove to the pits with a flat tire on lap 29 and missed five laps before returning to action.
At the Buckhorn Bar & Grill halfway point, the running order was Houston, Knight, Collins, Sullivan, Kris Price, Eric Price, DeRosier, Eric Johnson, Richie Potts, Sierra Furia, Keith Bloom Jr., Cody Braund, Andy Vanderveer, Tom Ford, Simi Tour, Strugnell and Mosher.
The only yellow flag in the 60-lapper came on the 47th circuit when Mosher spun on the back stretch. Houston powered ahead again on the restart and drove the distance for the $1,350 victory. Knight finished a strong second, inches ahead of Collins. Kris Price passed Sullivan in the final laps to finish fourth as Sullivan settled for fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Eric Price, Eric Johnson, DeRosier, Furia and Potts.
Potts collected $100 for his win in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash and Kris Price collected $50 for second. Andy Vanderveer passed the most cars to earn the Keyser Hard Charger Award, Cody Braund received the Naake Suspension Award, the DJ Safety Certificate went to Sullivan, and Simi Tour got the Racer Bling Award. Scribner Plastic jugs went to Potts and Kris Price.
The next race for the North State Modified Series is Aug. 19 at the Ukiah Speedway.
Series sponsors are 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.
Series modified rules, procedures and schedules are available at www.northstatemodifieds.com.
