UKIAH, CA..... Auto racing returned to the Ukiah Speedway Friday night with three classes of race cars thrilling race fans to a spectacular show. Al Vogel of Ukiah captured his first season victory in the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model Series and collected $650 for his efforts.
In other action, Lakeport Speedway defending modified champion Bryan Denton of Kelseyville came from the back of the pack to win the modified feature event, and 2-time Lakeport Speedway bomber champion Kevin Schafer of Kelseyville led the final five laps to collect the win in the two-man bomber division.
Fourteen late models were on hand with both Vogel and Robert Loucks clocking at 13.749 seconds to post fast time. Junior Roddy was the winner of the trophy dash and heat wins went to Pascual Puertolas and Roddy. Vogel’s charge in the main event came mostly in the outside groove with Loucks following him to a second place finish. Mike Rose finished third ahead of Donnie Austin and Roddy.
Modified action began with Victor Gunella pacing the 17 car field with his fast 13.604 second lap but it was 1999 Ukiah champion Denny Cashada who captured the dash win. Heat race winners were Don Johnson and Norm Boucher. Denton also made his winning moves in the outside lane to post his first victory of the 2000 season. Bob Strauss finished second followed by Cashada, Steve Daniels and Randy Houston.
Twenty-one bombers drew for starting positions with heat wins going to R.J. Randall, Don Baker and Lakeport Speedway points leader Chuck Pruett. The trophy dash consisted of the top two from the heat races, and that six-lap event was won by Schafer. Schafer continued his winning ways in the main event with Pruett second, Rick Tellstrom third, Mark Maines fourth and Baker fifth.
Racing returns to the Ukiah Speedway on Friday, August 4 to begin the "Hot August Nights" four race series under the new management of Bob and Nadine Strauss.
