ANDERSON >> Kelseyville’s Darrin Sullivan beat Randy Houston of Medford, Oregon by inches to claim the $1,500 first-place prize during the second annual Lloyd Burton Against-the-Wind Challenge on Saturday night at Shasta Speedway.
It was the second-to-last points race of the season on the North State Modified Series circuit, which is sponsored by Protect the Harvest. Earlier in the evening Eric Johnson, also of Kelseyville, set the fast time of 15.935 seconds over the 21-car field. Johnson was the only driver to break the 16-second barrier.
A 10-car invert for the 60-lap feature race placed Oregon driver Rich Cobb and Lakeport’s Ian Elliott in the front row. Terry Deal and Sullivan shared row two, Dustin DeRosier and Houston started in row three, last year’s race winner Jason Philpot and current points leader Darrin Knight were in row four, and Charlie Collins was next to Johnson in row five.
Cobb powered ahead at the start with Elliott, Deal and DeRosier next in line. As Cobb was pulling away, Deal dove below Elliott for second place on lap nine. Philpot swapped places with DeRosier on lap 11. Two rounds later the yellow flag flew when Richie Potts was tagged and spun in turn four. Before one more lap was completed, Johnson and Houston made contact for another caution. Johnson was forced to pit for repairs and lost six laps before he could return to the race.
The double-file restart saw Deal out in front for a half-lap, but Cobb dove into turn three harder to regain the lead. Philpot moved to the high side and passed Elliott on lap 17, and at the same time Sullivan made an inside pass on Elliott for fourth place. Knight followed Sullivan’s line as Cody Braund lost power, slowed and retired to the pits.
Simi Tour and Sierra Furia tangled to stop the action again on lap 25. Furia’s car was towed to the pits for repairs but she tagged the back of the pack to take the next green flag. The running order at the halfway marker showed Cobb still out in front of Deal, Philpot, Sullivan, DeRosier, Knight, Houston, Collins, Elliott and Cameron Austin.
Three circuits later Sal Lopez spun in turn two. On the restart, Sullivan powered by Deal for second place and Philpot ducked below Deal for third the following round. The yellow waved again on 42 when Furia stopped on the track with a flat. She pitted for a tire change and restarted at the rear.
Another three laps ran before both Knight and Collins spun in turn four for the sixth yellow flag of the race. Sullivan forged ahead of Cobb at the start to take over the lead. Philpot ran third with Houston passing Deal for fourth on lap 45. Cobb slid up the track slightly, opening the door for both Philpot and Houston to fill the hole as they took over second and third.
Cobb’s car got loose and spun on the backstretch for the final yellow, and on the restart Houston dove below Philpot and set his sights on Sullivan. Houston looked high and low, moved his mount to the high side on the white flag lap and pulled alongside Sullivan for a photo finish at the checkered flag. Sullivan posted the win by inches over Houston, followed by Philpot, Deal, and DeRosier. Rounding out the top 10 were Austin, Elliott, Wade Coleman, Potts and Knight. Sullivan’s name will be added to the perpetual trophy as the winner of this event.
Wade Coleman earned the Keyser Hard Charger Award plus a $200 bonus courtesy of Mary Burton and Dan Burton’s Kaleidoscope Coffee Shop. In addition to the Penney Racing Supply Fast Time Award, Eric Johnson also collected another $200 for his fast time from Brandon Williams of Sunrise Excavating. The $100 Nor-Cal Racing Alumni halfway award went to Rich Cobb.
Dustin DeRosier won the Naake Suspension Award, the DJ Safety Certificate went to Charlie Collins, and Adrianna Strugnell got the Racer Bling Award. Scribner Plastic jugs went to Richie Potts and Cameron Austin. Lakeport’s Cadillac Pat Sperling donated $100 to Tom Ford for being the first car to retire from the race.
The North State Modifieds finish out their season Oct. 14 at All American Speedway in Roseville. This event, The Sinister Diesel 60, is part of the NASCAR K&N Series October Classic. The purse and long-tow awards will be increased for this championship event courtesy of Economy Heating & Air of Roseville.
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, Economy Heating & Air, and Mort Houston.
