ANDERSON — After an accident early in the race that eliminated Kelseyville’s Sal Martinez and Oregon driver Rich Cobb, Brandon White of Eureka took off like a bullet to take the lead in the 60-lap Twyman Plumbing-sponsored North State Modified Series main event on Saturday night at the Shasta Speedway in Anderson.
But when White’s car began to push up the track it was NSMS points leader Scott Winters who made the winning pass as he went on to capture his second consecutive NSMS victory.
It was O’Reilly’s Night at the Races during the Shasta County Fair at Anderson, and Lakeport’s Ian Elliott earned the O’Reilly’s Fastest Qualifier Award with his time of 16.309 seconds on the one-third mile paved oval. Winters clocked in second fastest at 16.324 seconds followed by White at 16.434, Kris Price at 16.458 and Cobb at 16.576.
The invert for the start of the feature was six, placing Martinez and Cobb in the first row. The pair ran side by side for the first two rounds, but lap three saw Martinez break loose and hit Cobb in the rear, the impact turning Cobb’s car sideways. Martinez’s car motored over the top on Cobb’s car, flattening both of Cobb’s tires. Martinez retired to the pits and Cobb had to be towed off the track.
With two drivers gone, this left White and Kris Price in the front row. When racing resumed White took control with Elliott driving beneath Price to move into second. Winters ran fourth while White pulled away from the pack. Winters snuck underneath Price on lap six and settled into third place. While Elliott and Winters were trying to catch up, Cobb rejoined the group on lap eight as Rick Avila retired his mount to the pits.
Meanwhile the battle for fifth place was being waged between Calvin Hegje and teammate Jordan Smith. Smith finally prevailed, diving underneath Hegje on lap 17 and completing the pass the following round.
White continued to lead as Elliott was trying hard to keep Winters behind him. Winters looked low but when no opportunity presented itself for an inside pass, he drove to the high side, motored into second place and set his sights on the leader. Winter caught White on lap 28, but on the 29th circuit contact was made between the two, resulting in White’s car breaking loose. Winters backed off, allowing White to gain control, but White’s car kept drifting high. Four rounds later Winters closed the deal with an inside pass for the lead on lap 34.
The next 20 laps went smoothly. Elliott dove under White and stole the runner-up spot with two laps to go. At the Sunoco checkered flag it was Winters followed by Elliott, White, Price and Smith. Rounding out the top 10 were Orion Mosher, Cobb, Hegje, Aliva and Martinez.
Other highlights
Martinez was the $100 winner of the O’Reilly’s Dash for Cash with Price earning $50 for second. Brandon White won the O’Reillys Hard Charger award for leading the most laps. Martinez and Price got the Scribner jugs.
Schedule
The North State Modifieds visit Lakeport Speedway on July 22, the smallest track (quarter-mile oval) they’ll race on this season. The last time NSMS ran at Lakeport was in May of 2017.
Sponsors
The North State Modified Series would not be possible without the support of Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Anderson Logging, Racer Bling, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Doyce Eaton, Scribner Plastics, McMurray & Sons Roofing, Frank’s Radios and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.
— Submitted by Nadine Strauss
