Source: Northstate Challenge Series
Date: 10/01/2007

EUREKA, California -- When the North State Challenge Series presented by Scottfeild Executive Hotels visits Redwood Acres Raceway, one thing is almost certain; Howard Ford and Randy Houston will be fast! Saturday night’s Fall Spectacular was no exception as the two battled for much of the race before Ford took the checkered flag ahead of Houston, avenging his fender-length loss in the season opener on April 28th.

Northern California legend Jimmy Walker made his first start in two years and showed he hasn’t lost a step, holding off Canadian Darrel Midgley for third while two-time defending champ Mike Doss rounded out the top five.

Fast timer Ford drew an inversion of eight, putting Carson City’s CJ Bawden on the pole with Walker alongside. Walker jumped to the early lead. An early incident slowed the action after Midgley and fifth fastest qualifier, Joe McDonald made contact collecting fourth quick Junior Roddy and second fast qualifier Dave Miller. McDonald and Roddy were done while Miller made front-end repairs and salvaged a ninth place finish.

Bawden got hung on the outside and got shuffled back to the sixth spot on lap four. Houston got by Walker for the lead on the ninth lap. A lap-sixteen restart showed Houston leading Walker, Midgley, Ford, and Doss. Ford got by Midgley on the restart and took second from Walker four laps later. By lap 30, Ford was on Houston’s bumper and got by for the lead at the midway point in the 75-lapper.

Over the final 25 laps, Ford was never challenged nor did Houston let him get away. Walker lost the handle on his car but was able to hold on to third. In an incident that can only be described as bizarre, Ford and Houston both ended up with damaged cars when they made contact after the checkered flag. On the cool-down lap, Dennis Del Biaggio, who was still racing to the checkers, spun, and Ford and Houston made contact trying to avoid him. Del Biaggio suffered front-end damage and was credited with a tenth place finish.

With his fourth ’07 victory, Ford clinched the 2007 NSCS championship with one point race remaining. “This feels good!” said the happy winner. ”It’s been a while (1999) since I won a championship. Brett (Crew Chief Uselton) and I went over the car during the September break, and we found some worn stuff we didn’t know about. The car was great tonight! At first, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get up there. Everybody was pretty fast. Jimmy was fast for a while. Randy was fast but I could see him using his rear tires up so I figured I could catch him.”

The NSCS presented by Scottfeild Executive Hotels will wrap up the 2007 season at the famed Win-River 125 at Shasta Raceway Park on October 5-7.

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