Source: BZ Zeller
Date: 07/30/2007

A spin, a penalty and being in the right place at the right time proved to be winning combination of circumstances to land Riley Watson in the winner’s circle Saturday night at the Douglas County Speedway.

Watson began the North State Challenge Series 100-lap feature outside of the second row and ran near the lead for the first 95 circuits. But a chaotic series of events in the final laps benefited the Wilbur driver and he was able to capitalize on his opportunity.

Willy Thom, Dundee, started on the pole, lost the lead on Lap 1 to Myrtle Point’s Mike Sackett, then regained the top spot on Lap 28. Thom then led nearly 70 laps before CJ Bawden, Carson City, Nev., hit the wall in Turn 2, drawing a caution flag. Before the field returned to green, Thom’s comfortable lead was reduced to a bumper and Mike Doss, Upper Lake, Calif., was ready threaten for the lead. When the race resumed Doss made two strong pass attempts on Thom, but got loose on the latter and lost positions to Watson and NSCS points leader Howard Ford, Crescent City, Calif.

Following the second yellow in three consecutive laps of the final five circuits, Ford darted past Watson for second and set his sights on Thom for the race win. With the white flag approaching, Ford pulled along the outside door of Thom on the backstretch. As the two leaders entered Turn 3, Thom lost control of his black No. 99 and spun into Ford. Ford surged ahead and raced down the front shoot as the apparent leader as the final yellow waved for the stalled Thom. However, NSCS rules state that any driver involved in contact which results in a yellow will be sent to the back of the lead lap cars. The ruling sent the dejected Ford back from the lead and the season points leader finished eighth. Meanwhile, Watson emerged from his third place position to the leader and was able to hold off Doss for the victory.

“Thing got pretty crazy at the end, but we stayed out of trouble,” Watson said. “This is great to get a big win on the home track.”

Watson also furthered that he was concerned about being passed by Doss on the final lap.

“He (Doss) made a move and got along side of me,” Watson said. “I gave him a line, but he just couldn’t get it done.”

Doss was impressed by the sportsmanship displayed by Watson.

“He ran me good and he ran me clean,” Doss said. “We had a problem with him (Watson) earlier in the season, but tonight he drove a great race. I tried hard to get around him. Truthfully, I would have liked to have about 10 more laps to make a better run at him.”

Saturday night’s race was the sixth stop on the 2007 NSCS tour schedule and series director Dane Nissen said it was the most exciting event he’s seen.

“I wish we could race here every week,” Nissen said. “To come to a home town and have a local boy win is just great. This speedway is such a fantastic facility and the whole event went off without a hitch.”

Nissen added that the 26 car entries were the highest of the season. The field was split into two mains with the top 20 cars advancing to the 100-lap feature.

Ford, who won three of the first five tour races, was not pleased with NSCS official decision.

“It’s a discretionary call and shouldn’t have been made in that situation,” Ford said. “He (Thom) was blocking all over the track and ended up spinning himself out. He slid into me. I tried to stay off him, but couldn’t. I had the spot.”

There were five local drivers in the field. Roseburg’s Dale Roth was the top qualifier, but bowed out of the event on Lap 30 due to mechanical trouble. Winchester’s Kyle Pope also benefited from the late race debacles and finished third. Wade Koens and Matt Klaas, both of Roseburg, did not advance from the B Main. Roth won the NSCS trophy dash.

Travis Bennett won the 100-lap ASA Northwest Tour race earlier in the program. Bennett, Ellensburg, Wash., passed Portland’s Mike Obrist midway through the race and went on for a comfortable win. Obrist held on for second and Kelly Tanner, Auburn, Wash., finished third.

Winston’s Jim Smith became only the second Mini Stock driver to be declared a main winner this season.

Smith, who has won several Mini Stock points championships, led all but the first lap of the 12-car field. Current points leader Rob Mueller, who won the fast-time award, started from final position and finished third behind Dave Wilson.

Riddle’s Joe Miller won the trophy dash. Jason Gotz and Wilson each won heat races.

In the Hornet class, David Lyons topped a 15-car field to inch closer to points leader Benjr Herbert for the championship. James Jobe and Jeff Solberg finished second and third respectively. Lyons, who has missed one event, leads the series in total wins. Josh Cox and Dan Dynamite each won heat races.

Oakland’s Nick Corneilson won the J-Car, full-contact main event. The Oregon State student and Oakland High graduate banged and bumped his way to the checkered and also won the trophy dash.

Oval track Racing will be idle next weekend as Street Racer Drags will be held at the speedway. Street Racer Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing starting at 6 p.m. Driver entry is $15 with general admission only $5. Oval track racing will resume on Saturday, Aug. 11, during fair week. Admission will be free with paid fair entrance. Limited Sprints, Northwest Legends, Thunder Roadsters, Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hornets will all be competing.

See Also .:

• Riley Watson Driver Card
• Douglas County Speedway Track Page

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