LAKEPORT, California -- Inheriting the lead on lap 28, Rod Gard of Clearlake drove to his first season win in the mini stock division during Lakeport Speedway's season opener Saturday night.
Kyle Medina of Lakeport swapped places with Andrew Snider on lap 24 to take the feature in the modified bomber division, and Ukiah's Jimmy Sorrels led all but 4 laps to capture the main event in the Guy Strohmeier Auto Center bomber division.
After the Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka rained out earlier in the day, four mini stockers made the long tow to Lakeport to compete with the Northern California Racing Association mini stocks. The 12 car field began with Jason Chand out in front the first four laps before Gard took control of the race. Next to pass the Eureka visitor were Kelly Gray and Dusty Barton.
Gray drove around Gard on the 10th lap and began to pull away from the pack. The lapping process began early, and Gray gracefully working his way through the slower cars. The first caution came on lap 23 when Gard broke loose and tagged visitor Jerry Peterson's mini truck. Four rounds later rookie driver Billy Shaul spun in turn two for another yellow, and when racing resumed, Gray and Barton made contact causing Barton to spin.
When Gray was sent to the rear, he elected to pit his car leaving the lead to Gard. Gard drove the final three laps for the win with Barton coming back to finish second. 2004 rookie of the year James Devries finished third with Chand fourth and Shaul fifth.
Heat wins went to Shaul and Gray. Barton won the dash and Gray set fast time of 14.808 seconds. Gard's #2 was voted best appearing car by the Lakeport Speedway race fans.
In modified bomber action, 13 cars clocked in with Scott Sabol fastest at 14.006 seconds. The feature saw George Abella and Jose Fernendez first and second until lap eight when Fernandez spun in turn four. At the same time Darren Tubbs pitted to repair a water leak, but returned without missing a lap.
When the green fell again Andrew Snider pulled ahead of Abella, and on lap 11 Medina swapped places with Abella. Defending champ Charlie Collins stole third from Abella on 14. Collins developed a leak and retired to the pits on lap 19 and at the same time Tubbs pitted for good.
The battle for first was heated between Snider and Medina with Snider blocking Medina's efforts to pass. Track officials stopped the race on 23 and put Snider back one position for blocking, according the NCRA's racing rules. Once out in front Medina sailed to victory with Snider settling for second. Sabol finished third with Abella fourth and Mike Neilson fifth.
Ukiah visitor Loren Powers won the first heat and Collins captured both the second heat and the trophy dash. Tubb's #28 was voted as best appearing in this division.
Only seven bombers made it to opening night and the action began on the first round when Richie Schwarm and rookie driver Adam Oubre made contact with both cars getting hooked tightly together. Track officials took several minutes separating the cars. When racing finally got under way, Robert Byers took the lead with heat race winner Jim Stephens in second and Sorrels in third. Sorrels drove around Stephens and took control of the race on the fifth circuit. Four rounds later saw the yellow fly when Byers spun on the front stretch.
Sorrels blasted out in front on the next green and fast qualifier (15.133) Eric Johnson passed Stephens for second on 12. The event was shortened to 20 laps due to time, and at the finish it was Sorrels, Johnson, Stephens, trophy dash winner Scott Griffin and Schwarm. Johnson's #57 won the best appearing car contest.
Auto racing continues at the Lakeport Speedway this Saturday night with the Legends Cars of the Pacific and the Airport Auto Brokers late models joining the NCRA modifieds, mini stocks, bombers and modified bombers. Gates open at 5:00 pm with racing at 7:00 pm.
NCRA BOMBERS
A-Main - Jimmy Sorrels, Eric Johnson, Jim Stephens, Scott Griffin, Richard Schwarm, Robert Byers, Adam Oubre.
Heat Race - Jim Stephens, Jimmy Sorrels, Eric Johnson, Robert Byers, Richard Schwarm, Scott Griffin, Adam Oubre.
Time Trial- Eric Johnson (15.133), Jimmy Sorrels (15.388), Richard Schwarm (15.567), Scott Griffin (15.660), Jim Stephens (15.859).
Trophy Dash - Scott Griffin, Jimmy Sorrels, Richard Schwarm, Eric Johnson.
Best Appearing Car - #57, Eric Johnson
NCRA MINI STOCKS
A-Main - Rod Gard, Dusty Barton, James Devries, Jason Chand, Billy Shaul, Glen Bernald, Rich Schramm Jr., Kelly Gray, Stacy
Minnick, David Aceves, Fred Schmidt, Jerry Peterson.
Heat 1- Billy Shaul, Glen Bernald, Jason Chand, Stacy Minnick, David Aceves, Fred Schmidt.
Heat 2- Kelly Gray, James Devries, Dusty Barton, Jerry Peterson, Rich Schramm Jr., Rod Gard.
Time Trial- Kelly Gray (14.080), Rod Gard (14.488), Dusty Barton (14.563), Jerry Peterson (14.872), James Devries (14.941).
Trophy Dash - Dusty Barton, Kelly Gray, Jerry Peterson, Rod Gard.
Best Appearing Car - #2, Rod Gard
MODIFIED BOMBERS
A-Main - Kyle Medina, Andrew Snider, Scott Sabol, George Abella, Michael Neilson, Loren Powers, Steve McLean, Kenny Grinols, Kevin
Waycik, Charlie Collins, Jose Fernandez, Jr., Darren Tubbs.
Heat 1- Loren Powers, George Abella, Steve McLean, Kenny Grinols, Kevin Waycik, Jose Fernandez, Jr., Gary Collins.
Heat 2- Charlie Collins, Darren Tubbs, Andrew Snider, Kyle Medina, Scott Sabol, Michael Neilson.
Time Trial- Scott Sabol (14.006), Kyle Medina (14.068), Andrew Snider (14.162), Charlie Collins (14.328), Michael Neilson (14.362).
Trophy Dash - Charlie Collins, Kyle Medina, Scott Sabol, Andrew Snider.
Best Appearing Car - #28, Darrin Tubbs
