Nobody could call Mike Doss an overnight sensation. The '95 and '96 Ukiah Speedway Bomber champion has been honing his driving skills at Northern California tracks for more than a decade. After stepping up to Late Models, he claimed the Lakeport Speedway championship in 2000, and the Airport Auto Brokers series, contested at Lakeport and Ukiah Speedways, the following year. After moving up to Super Late Models, the 33-year-old Nice Calif. driver and his Stillman Racing team didn't find immediate success. "We ran the full SRL schedule in 2003 and finished 5th in points. In 2004 we ran some NSCS (then Tri-State) and some SRL races but it seemed like everything that could go wrong did! We didn't have much luck!" That luck would change in 2005 as the team put it all together and claimed the North State Challenge Series title, their first championship in a major touring series.
After a less than stellar 11th place finish, in the season opener at Shasta Raceway Park, Doss clicked off eight consecutive top-5 runs, including his first career series win, at Lakeport Speedway, where he assumed the point lead from defending champion Bill Binns, a lead he would never relinquish. He went on to win in his next start at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka and won the 'Fair Championship', given to the top average finisher in the twin fair races. His streak didn't stop until the tenth race at RAR when he lost a freeze plug and finished 12th. Unfazed, he finished third in the second Lakeport race, posted his third win at Champion Motor Speedway in Carson City, and took second in the season finale at Ukiah Speedway. His final statistics showed 3 wins, 3 fast times, and a whopping 11 top fives, including 3 thirds and 3 seconds, in the 13-race schedule.
"There are some great racers in this series and they are a great bunch of guys. To race against guys like Bill Binns, Derek Thorn, and Howard Ford is a lot of fun! We all get along pretty well, and even after on-track disagreements, we're able to put it behind us for the next race. I really enjoy racing with them!"
Stillman Racing fielded two cars in the series this season, the second for Jim Stillman Jr, who would finish seventh in the final standings. "Jim and Natasha Stillman are the most awesome people to have as car owners! They are great people and they've stood behind me every bit of the way. My crew, I can't say enough about them! I wouldn't have won the championship without them. They work on my car all week while I'm at work. They have an incredible commitment to this team! Noel McCormack is my Crew Chief, Kevin Ostern is my spotter and Crew Chief when Noel can't be there, Kevin Estep does everything and Ernie Ostern works all week at the shop. They are the best! I want to thank Mike Naake, of Naake Motorsports, who gave us a lot of help with our shock package. Mike's a great guy and is really helpful! If you're struggling, ask Mike, he can help!"
"I really want to thank my sponsors, The Marina Grill, Ace Auto Body, Nor Cal Powder Coating, Treasure Cove Pizza, Naake Motorsports, Nitro Racing and Speedy Signs."
Doss' championship car is a Pacesetter chassis with a '05 Monte Carlo body from Five-Star. He uses Naake shocks with power from Freight Train Peters.
The NSCS awards banquet will be at Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport on Saturday, October 29th and is open to the public. No-host cocktails begin at 6:00 PM with dinner at 7:00 and awards ceremony to follow. Dinner reservations are required. Please RSVP no later than October 15th. Send check or money order for $30 per person, payable to NSCS, to 1710 County Road F, Willows CA 95988. Semi-casual dress is requested
