LAKEPORT — Scott Winters of Tracy set the fast time before going on to claim his third consecutive North State Modified Series victory Saturday night during the non-stop 60 lap feature race at the Lakeport Speedway.
It was Running Springs Heating & Air Night at the Races as Ian Elliott of Lakeport, driving the Running Springs house car, finished second to Winters in the main event while also winning the $100 in the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Dash for Cash.
Main event
Winters clocked in at 12.675 seconds followed by Richie Potts of Petaluma at 12.930. Pole setter Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale battled with Elliott the first two rounds of the main event before Elliott forged ahead on lap three. Potts followed Elliott to the front and then moved to the high side in an attempt to take the lead. When Elliott’s car pushed high going into the turn, Potts dove under him and assumed the lead. As DeRosier was being funneled backward, Winters slipped under Elliott on his way to the front.
Potts continued to lead the pack while Elliott and Winters waged a battle for second place. Winters finally settled into second, dropping Elliott to third and Kelseyville driver Sal Martinez to fourth.
Winters caught up to Potts on lap 10 and took the lead when Potts’ car pushed going into turn one. As Winters pulled away from the field, Elliott snuck under Potts. The duo swapped places with each pass until Elliott’s efforts finally prevailed and he took over second spot at the halfway mark.
Potts’ car continued to get loose, allowing Martinez to drive under Potts. Again Potts drove his car in the outside groove next to Martinez for eight circuits before Martinez successfully moved into third place on lap 38. The remaining laps went without incident and it was Winters claiming the $1,000 prize at the Sunoco checkered flag followed by Elliott, Martinez, Potts and DeRosier.
Other events
Potts earned the O’Reilly’s Hard Charger award with his two multi-lap outside groove runs. He also claimed $50 in the dash for cash and was the recipient of the Scribner jug along with Elliott. Frank’s Radios certificates went to Elliott, Potts, DeRosier, Winters and Martinez.
Schedule
The next stop for the North State Modifieds is the Shasta Speedway in Anderson on Aug. 5. NSMS also visits the Stockton 99 Speedway on Aug. 19 for the third annual Bob Lehman Classic.
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
