EUREKA >> Taking the lead on lap 20 with an inside pass of Kelseyville’s Eric Johnson, Kris Price of Sacramento drove the remaining 40 laps flawlessly to collect his third season victory in the Protect the Harvest North State Modified Series race on Saturday night at Eureka’s Redwood Acres Raceway.
Price’s series-leading third victory increased his NSMS points lead to 41 points over Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale.
Price collected $1,000 for his win plus another $250 bonus from Ward Land Management and Development (WLM&D.) He also collected $30 from Competition Carburetors for turning in the fastest lap of race (16.900 seconds), and he once again earned the Keyser Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars.
Roseville driver Terry Deal drove under Johnson on lap 45 for a $850 second-place finish. Johnson held off the challenges of Oregon driver Randy Houston to claim third.
Kelseyville’s Darrin Sullivan earned the $100 WLM&D fast time award with his 16.548-second lap. Sullivan pulled the No. 10 chip for the inversion, putting Stuart Campbell and Johnson in the front row. Stuart and Johnson ran sided by side the first seven rounds with DeRosier tight on Stuart’s bumper and not allowing Johnson to pull back into the low groove. Just as it looked like Johnson was losing ground, his car hooked up and on lap 12 he passed both DeRosier and Stuart for the lead. DeRosier also shot around Stuart, but two rounds later Kris Price drove under DeRosier for second and set his sights on Johnson.
Price caught Johnson on lap 19. He saw an opening down low and drove under Johnson for the lead. Price’s brother, Eric Price II, developed engine roblems and ended his run on lap 26.
Meanwhile both Deal and Houston were picking off cars as Sullivan’s car began to smoke. With only three laps to go, Sullivan’s engine finally gave out and his car stalled on the track, bringing out the only yellow flag in the race.
The final three circuits went nose to tail with Kris Price first across the Sunoco checkered flag. Deal finished second, Johnson third, Houston fourth and DeRosier fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Ian Elliot, Guy Young, Campbell, Herman Pulyer and Orion Mosher.
Pulyer was the $100 winner in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash. Johnson finished second and donated his $50 to the North State Modified Series Driving Our Cancer Fund. Both Pulyer and Johnson also received the Scribner Plastics jugs. Avila took home the Naake Shocks certificate, and the Frank’s Radios awards were given to Young, Pulyer and Mosher.
Race No. 7 of the North State Modified Series “Driving Out Cancer Tour” is Aug. 11 at Lakeport Speedway.
The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Ward Land Management & Development, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics and Frank’s Radios.
