EUREKA — The first running of the Dale Baldwin Challenge for the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, is shaping up to be the best-attended event of the 2021 season, and with a record amount of $5,000 going to the winner of the 60 -lap feature on Sept. 25 at the Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka.
The event honors longtime racing enthusiast Dale Baldwin, who recently died, and is sponsored by McMurray & Sons Roofing, Mark and Sharon Baldwin and O’Reilly Auto Parts.
“The entries just keep pouring in,” said NSMS co-promoter Nadine Strauss. “I just got an entry from Eddie Wilcox of Salida saying that popular driver Jeremy Doss will be piloting his number 75 modified.”
Doss, a many-time champion, has already won numerous races this season in both the Spears Modifieds and the Spears Pro Late Model Series. This will be Doss’ first time competing with the North State Modified Series.
Doss’ biggest competition figures to come from 2019 NSMS champion and current points leader Scott Winters of Tracy and 2020 NSMS champion Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah. Both of these heavy hitters have won three races each in 2021.
Three-time NSMS champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville and Cameron Austin of Santa Rosa should also be in the mix for the $5,000 first-place prize. Both Knight and Austin are multiple winners in past seasons with NSMS. Lakeport’s Charlie Collins makes this third appearance this year as will Simi Tour of Potter Valley and Jason Philpot of Sacramento. Veteran driver Richie Potts also returns after a two-year absence.
Other new drivers scheduled to compete are Chris Salmina and Jeremy Nowlin, both of Kelseyville, and Wade Coleman of Upper Lake. Cole Brown of Ukiah will be piloting the late Steve Taylor’s No. 5 entry. This is Brown’s first race with NSMS. Another first-time driver is Danny Helm of Healdsburg in David Sullivan’s modified.
“This is the richest event ever held for our modifieds, Strauss said. “Not only is the winner getting $5,000, but $2,500 is going to second, $1,500 is going to third, $1,200 to fourth and $1,000 to the fifth-place finisher. And it’s $200 just to take the green flag.”
Rounding out the field are NCRA regulars Ian Elliott of Lakeport, Keith Bloom of Anderson, Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale, Rich Cobb of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Sal Lopez of Sacramento, Kylei Keown of Ukiah, Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville, Cody Braund of Redding, Calvin Hegje of Sacramento and Randy Houston of Medford, Oregon.
The Dale Baldwin Challenge is a part of Redwood Acres Raceway’s Fall Spectacular that also features a $5,000 payout to the winner of the 100-lap Late Models race.
The North State Modified Series would not be possible without the support of Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, McMurray & Sons Roofing, Mark and Sharon Baldwin, Economy Heating & Air, Sullivan Construction and Masonry, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Scribner Plastics, Frank’s Radios, Supercuts, Vogel’s RVs, and Authority Heating & Air.
— Submitted by Nadine Strauss
