LAKEPORT — Coming out of turn four on the last lap Saturday night, 17-year-old Kylie Daniels of Fort Bragg snuck under veteran driver Dane Nissen and beat him to the checkered flag by inches to claim her first Legends Car win during the O’Reilly Auto Parts Day at the Races at Lakeport Speedway.
In other Northern California Racing Association action on the quarter-mile paved oval, Mike Collins of Lucerne chalked up his second consecutive Taco Bell bomber main event victory while Johnny Barker of Upper Lake took home the trophy in the 20-lap AAA Energy Systems Pro-4 modified class.
Once again the speedway had to race with no spectators present as per the public health guidelines in Lake County because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the event was livestreamed and shown on facebook where 8,400 people tuned in.
Legends
Aidan Daniels of Fort Bragg turned the quickest lap in the Legends class (14.012 seconds), but he was involved in a crash during his heat race that prevented him from starting in the feature event. Kylie Daniels won that heat race while Nissen claimed the trophy dash.
Nissen started on the outside of row two for the main event and ran side by side with Tom Summers for four laps before taking control of the race. Kylie Daniels passed Summers on lap 10 as Nissen was pulling away. About halfway through the 30-lapper, Nissen’s car seemed to be pushing, allowing Daniels to poke her nose in the hole, but Nissen’s experience kept the youngster in second place until the last lap.
Just as it looked like it was Nissen’s race, Daniels drove in low, pulled alongside Nissen and drag-raced him to the checkered flag. She won by a bumper. Summers finished third in front of David Dunlap, Ethan Imperatrice, Nick Reading and Trey Daniels.
Bombers
In Taco Bell bomber action, Tim Williams set the fast time of 14.061 over the 11-car field with Collins was next at 14.110 and Donovan Cox turning a 14.202.
Raymond Taylor jumped out in front of pole setter Jim Kollenborn at the drop of the green flag in the main event. As Kollenborn faded, Cox and Collins moved into second and third, respectively. Two rounds later Cox drove by Taylor for the lead with Collins following his line.
Cox ran out front for five laps before Collins took the lead. The race was slowed on lap 18 when Kollenborn’s hub and spindle caught fire, eliminating him from the competition. At the same time, both Williams and Trevor Abella retired their cars to the pits. When racing resumed. it was Collins, Cox and Taylor out in front of Klinton Waite, Audrey Portlock and Kasey Horat.
Two more yellow flags flew when Portlock’s car lost power and stalled on the track. Collins continued to lead all the way to the checkered followed by Cox, Taylor, Waite, Horat and Portlock.
Heat wins went to Waite and Collins. Cox won the trophy dash.
Pro-4 modifieds
Mike Peterson set the fast time (12.767) for the Pro-4 modifieds, almost a half-second faster than Ron Portlock (13.235), but Peterson’s car developed problems that kept him from running in the main event. Wil Roberton also dropped out early as did Portlock.
Barker made the most of the reduced field and led every lap for the win. Bud Anderson finished second with Rick Jelton third and Wade Eldrege fourth. Peterson won the heat race and Anderson captured the trophy dash.
Schedule
Racing resumes Saturday at the Lakeport Speedway with the second appearance this season of the Legends of the Pacific. The local late models also will be running for the first time. Rounding out the racing card are the Taco Bell bombers and the NCRA modifieds.
Sponsors
NCRA races at Lakeport Speedway are sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts, Anderson Logging, Sullivan Const Masonry, Napa Lake Parts, Bicoastal Media, Taco Bell, D&P Pools, Hillside Powersports, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Snap-On Tools, S&K Paving & Striping, Lucerne Roofing, S & K Automotive, Under the Sun Garden Supply, Perkins Septic Tanks, Lake County Tribal Health, Don Anderson Attorney at Law, Coleman’s Custom Vinyl, Lake County Welders, Steve Taylor Excavation, Dana Stahl Race Cars, Kelseyville Lions, Mike Sullivan Consulting, Lake Co. Waste Solutions, Gifford Backhoe Service and Majestic Landscaping.
