ROSEVILLE — Defending North State Modified Series points champion Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah won a duel with 2021 points leader Scott Winters of Tracy to claim victory in the $1,000 Economy Heating and Air Challenge on Saturday during the second annual Bob Lehman Classic at the All American Speedway in Roseville.
The return of the North State Modified Series All American Speedway saw 24 modifieds competing in the 60-lap race that included points for the local Jaws Gear & Axle Modifieds as well. The North State Modified Series is presented by Protect the Harvest.
“Scott’s damn good here and always has been,” Tellstrom said. “I haven’t really raced here before. (But) I know how important it is to take your spot on the restarts and run hard through one and two. I got into Scott a little more than I like to there. It just all worked out really well for us.”
Qualifying
Tellstrom opened the festivities with a new North State Hoosier Tire track record at 14.134 seconds and was presented the O’Reilly’s fast time award. Tellstrom lined up sixth for the feature. His teammate, Kylie Keown, started shotgun but surrendered the spot to Lakeport’s Ian Elliott on the start. Elliott led the way while Rich Cobb of Klamath Falls, Oregon, steadily drifted out of the top five on the upper groove.
Main event
Winters went around the outside of Keown for second before departing for the pits because of smoke coming from the rear tires. Elliott led lap five to receive the $250 Authority Heating and Air bonus.
Keith Bloom of Anderson stopped in turn four for a caution on lap 24 with an apparent flat left front tire.
The first restart attempt saw the car of 2020 Jaws Modifieds champion Jason Philpot of Sacramento suffered a mechanical failure. Philpot sailed into 2021 Jaws points leader Eric Price, who also won the $100 Lucas Oil Dash for Cash, sending him spinning. Price was able to rejoin but Philpot was unable to continue.
The leaders raced side by side on the restart before Winters led lap 26 and Tellstrom followed suit on the outside to take second. Cody Braund, who started 23rd, spun in turn two to bring out the next caution flag. Tellstrom had a tremendous restart, seizing the lead on lap 31. Darrin Sullivan and Elliott battled for third before Bloom spun again in turn four. Bloom collected Price, with both restarting at the rear yet again.
Tellstrom cleared Winters on the restart while Colfax’s Ralph Bailey, Mike Gorham of Lincoln and Sammy Nuno of Windsor battled for the Jaws Modifieds lead. They collided on the front stretch in a hard crash on lap 49, which brought out a brief red flag.
Winters went outside Tellstrom on the restart to lead lap 50. Tellstrom drove deep into turn one with contact, taking the lead on lap 52. Tellstrom led lap 55 to claim the $250 Authority bonus and led Winters nose to tail across the finish line for the victory.
Sullivan, Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale and Bloom rounded out the top five. Price managed to top the Jaws Modifieds field, taking the checkered flag in front of Josh Blackwood and Tyler Mullican.
Other awards
Darrin Sullivan earned the Naake Hard Charger Award for being the first to break the track record. Sullivan turned a 14.184-second lap, which was good for second fastest. The previous record was set by Michael Mitchell in 2018.
The Frank’s Radios certificates went to Sullivan, Calvin Hegje and Braund. Both Price and Bloom picked up the Scribner Plastics jugs. The top NSMS drivers shared in the Lucas Oil tow money bonus.
Schedule
The next stop on the North State Modifed Series tour is Madera Speedway on Aug. 7 for race No. 2 of the NSMS/Mission Modified Series battle where the North State Modifieds will be challenging the Madera 602 Mission modifieds. Tellstrom was the winner the last time NSMS visited the one-third-mile oval.
Sponsors
The North State Modified Series would not be possible without the support of Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Economy Heating and Air of Roseville and Nashville, Tennessee, Sullivan Construction and Masonry, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Supercuts, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Vogel’s RVs, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Scribner Plastics, Mort Houston, McMurray & Sons Roofing and, Frank’s Radios.
— Submitted by Steven Blakesley & Nadine Strauss
