UKIAH >> The North State Modified Series (NSMS) returns to Ukiah Speedway Saturday night, its final 2017 visit to the quarter-mile paved oval located at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.
Charlie Collins of Upper Lake was the big winner last month when NSMS last visited Ukiah and he will be looking for a repeat victory Saturday. He’ll have to battle two-time NSMS champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville, the runner-up to Collins during the July race at Ukiah. Knight won the first two races of the season, but the NSMS has produced five different winners since then – six drivers have won seven races overall this season.
Knight is the current NSMS points leader by a mere seven points over Collins. With only four points races left, the duo will be chasing every point possible. A driver earns 75 points for a feature win while the runner-up receives 70 points. Two additional bonus points are earned by the fastest qualifier and another two bonus points go to the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash winner.
Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville, is third in the point standings. He won the Memorial Day race at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka. Another Kelseyville native, Eric Johnson, holds fourth place and trails Sullivan by just seven points.
Fifth place in the standings belongs to Sierra Furia of Lakeport. Tied for sixth place are Cloverdale’s Dustin DeRosier and Redding driver Cody Braund. Jason Philpot of Sacramento, a four-time series winner in 2016, is eighth and will be gunning for his first season victory at Ukiah.
Sitting ninth in points is Kelseyville’s Adrianna Strugnell. Moving up rapidly after missing several early season runs is Eric Price Jr. of Rio Linda in 10th place. Price won the Sinister Diesel Summer Sizzler at All American Speedway in late June.
Other NSMS winners this season are Matthew Hicks of San Diego (Madera Speedway) and Randy Houston of Medford, Oregon (Redwood Acres Raceway.)
The North State Modifieds join Ukiah Speedway’s local divisions to bring an evening of fast-paced entertainment to racing fans.
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.
