LAKEPORT, CA..... Nearly 3000 race fans, competitors and speedway personnel were on hand at the Lakeport Speedway Saturday night to celebrate the 13th annual "Kelseyville Lumber Deake Lyndall Memorial." The prestigious event supported five divisions of race cars with a driver’s purse that exceeded $18,000.
The Lyndall family donated $10,000 toward the purse with the lion’s share of $3500 going to the modified winner Thomas Wright of Kelseyville. Mike Rose of Lakeport was a $2500 winner in the late model division, Jeff Davis of Clearlake collected $1000 for his win in the bomber division, and Kelly Gray of Clearlake bagged $1000 for his mini stock victory. The $150 long tow award was given to Willie Thompson of Jefferson, Oregon. The BCRA midget main event was won by many-time BCRA champion Floyd Alvis of San Carlos.
The #3 stock car that was run so many years by Deake Lyndall, Jr. was on hand to pace the late model feature and the super modified that Deake Sr. drove paced the NCRA modified main event. Both cars were completely restored over the winter season.
Special awards were presented to "Legends of Lakeport Speedway" Bill Robison, Bill Deschamps, Bob Johnson and Bob Neilson. Schnabl’s Radiators of Kelseyville was given the sponsorship award for over 51 years of sponsoring race cars at Lakeport Speedway. All Lakeport Speedway personnel wore purple flowers in tribute to the late Deake Jr. and Deake Sr.
The Lyndall’s treated all the junior race fans to purple balloons, and all kids entered into a drawing which saw eight year old Josh Fortenberry of Kelseyville win the purple #3 go kart. When Josh got down to the kart after the races, he sat in it for over an hour before getting out.
The top three finishes in all five divisions were presented with five-foot tall trophies and an invitation to a championship party the following day at the Lyndall’s home in Buckingham.
"We’d like to make this event even bigger next year," said Michael Lyndall. "We thank everyone who came out to make this race the biggest one in many years and we’ll see you in 2002."
