LAKEPORT — It was a hot night at the Lakeport Speedway on Saturday, not only because of the temperature but because of the racing performances by Darrin Knight of Kelseyville (Northern California Racing Association modifieds), Donovan Cox of Kelseyville (Taco Bell bombers) and Ron Portlock of Ukiah (AAA Energy Solutions Pro-4 modifieds).
All three competitors scored a near-clean sweep in their respective divisions on the quarter-mile paved oval at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Modifieds
Knight, who claimed his car was running badly all day, first took home the hardware in the trophy dash, went on to win the heat race, and led all but seven laps in the 30-lap Anderson Logging-sponsored feature event. It was Knight’s first appearance at Lakeport this season. The only thing Knight did not lay claim to was the quickest lap in time trials. That honor went to NCRA points leader Mike Sullivan with his 12.845-second fast lap.
The modified main event saw Richard Knight and Robert Schmidt start in the first row with Darrin Knight and Ian Elliott in row two. As Richard Knight forged ahead at the start, Schmidt lost ground and Darrin Knight moved into second place followed by Jeremy Nowlin and Donovan Cox.
Darrin Knight pulled alongside of Richard Knight on lap seven, and just as the cars were entering turn two, Richard Knight’s car drifted high and made slight contract with Darrin Knight’s car. The impact was just hard enough to send Richard Knight’s car into a spin in front of the tight pack. All the cars made it through, but before the race could get going again Cox (pulling double duty in the modified and bomber divisions) drove his car into the pits with an electrical problem. Cox’s crew worked beneath the hood for several minutes but could not get the car back on the track.
This put Nowlin next to Darrin Knight for the restart where they ran side by side for two laps before Darrin Knight pulled ahead. Nowlin dropped back on the outside, allowing Sullivan and Elliott to gain position. Richard Knight pulled into the pits on lap 22.
At the checkered flag it was Darrin Knight, Sullivan, Elliott, Nowlin and Schmidt.
Cox was the recipient of the Mark and Sharon Baldwin Hoosier tire giveaway.
Bombers
In Taco Bell bomber action, it was Mike Collins who set a track record of 14.020 seconds during qualifying, which kept Cox from having a perfect night. Cox had previously won the trophy dash and heat race.
In the main event, Seth Chew stole the lead away from pole setter Amber Portlock at the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap race, with both Klinton Waite and Cox moving into second and third, respectively, by lap four. Cox motored by Waite on lap five, but Collins was on a mission, passing both Waite and Cox on lap six and driving by Chew for the lead the following round.
Collins began to lap the back-runners by lap 16, but two circuits later his car slowed and headed to the pits with a broken rear-end. After a brief cleanup, the action was back underway with Cox pulling away from Waite, Clew, Jim Kollenborn and Trevor Abella.
Kasey Horat spun on the final lap. As the cars scattered to get around him, Cox was first to cross the finish line. Kollenborn beat Waite by inches to claim second place, Waite was third followed by Abella and Chew.
Chew was the other heat race winner.
Pro-4 modifieds
A good field of seven Pro-4 modifieds was reduced to only two by main event time. The heat race was brutal on these four-cylinder cars as engine problems sidelined Andy Leuzinger, Chris Straka, Mike Peterson and Wil Robertson. Then in the heat race, Anthony Gorrin lost control of the Johnny Barker No. 14 car and drove hard into the turn three concrete wall.
That opened the way for Ron Portlock, who had already won the trophy dash and heat race. Portlock held off James Gard to score the main event victory.
Robertson turned the quickest lap in time trials at 13.228 seconds.
Pete Graham of the Graham 55 Foundation donated $500 to the Pro-4 drivers and made sure all seven went home with money in their pocket. The Pro-4 modifieds take next week off to regroup, but will return to the speedway Sept. 12.
Bandoleros
The start of the bandolero racing saw 10-year-old Courtney Portlock of Lucerne race against 6-year-old Braydon White of Kelseyville. Portlock came in first in both the trophy dash and main event, but she gave one of her trophies to White for sharing in her fun.
Schedule
Racing resumes Saturday with the NCRA modifieds, Taco Bell bombers, Legends Cars and Late Models joining the 4-Bangers.
On Sept. 12, the North State Modified Series begins its four-race fall schedule beginning at Lakeport Speedway. COVID-19 restrictions currently prohibit spectators from attending races at the Lakeport Speedway.
Sponsors
NCRA races at the Lakeport Speedway are presented by Anderson Logging, Sullivan Const Masonry, Napa Lake Parts, Taco Bell, D&P Pools, Hillside Powersports, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Snap-On Tools, S&K Paving & Striping, O’Reilly Auto Parts, 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, Kelseyville Lions, Mike Sullivan Consulting, Lake Co. Waste Solutions, Gifford Backhoe Service and Majestic Landscaping.
