SPENCER CLAIMS $1500 TRI-STATE VICTORY AT LAKEPORT

Source: Nadine Strauss
Date: 08/15/2002

LAKEPORT, California -- Rick Spencer of Eugene, Oregon was the $1500 winner in the "3rd annual Robinson Rancheria Bingo and Casino Tri-State Challenge" at the Lakeport Speedway Saturday night. In this final event in the Tri-State series, Eric Graham of Redway bagged a 6th place finish and was crowned 2002 Tri-State champion in front of the packed house.

Eighteen cars were pre-registered for this event but the field was reduced to 16 when Howard Ford was forced to stay at home to protect his Crescent City shop from a wild fire that threatened his neighborhood, and Steve Starr of Santa Rosa suffered a hard bout with the concrete wall during hot laps eliminating his car.

Local driver Mike Doss of Upper Lake was the quick car in time trials turning a 12.180 second lap, very close to Mike Sackett's track record of 12.120. NSRA Super Late Model points leader Junior Roddy of Gualala clocked in second at 12.193 with local favorite Dana Stahl of Lakeport next at 12.247 and Spencer clocking in fourth fast at 12.266. Spencer beat Doss to the line to capture the four lap dash and heat wins went to NCRA modified points leader David Sullivan, who did double duty in both the modified and tour car, and Ashland Oregon's Brad Wasmund.

The 60 lap feature saw the top eight inverted by times with Lakeport's Jeremy Hopkins and 2001 event winner Randy Hvall of Grants Pass, Oregon sharing the front row. Hopkins forged ahead at the start with Hvall running in the outside groove in second. Doss moved up quickly and ran third with Spencer in fourth.

Hvall bobbled slightly allowing both Doss and Stahl to slip under him, and on lap 13 Doss made an outside pass on Hopkins for the lead. Hvall and Stahl continued to battle for third and when Hvall dropped back, Stahl moved to the outside. Stahl passed Hopkins on lap 18 and moved along side of Doss. Stahl edged into the lead on 19 but the following round saw his car drift high into the marbles. Stahl lost control, did a 360 spin in front of the charging pack and ended up hard in the turn two concrete to bring out the red. Cars scattered with no one else involved. Sullivan pitted at this time to make adjustments to his car and returned four laps later.

Before racing began again, Hopkins was sent to the back for working on his car under red conditions which is not allowed under the Tri-State rules. Doss pulled out in front again at the drop of the green flag with Spencer in second, Hvall third, Preston O'Dell fourth and Roddy fifth. At the mid point of the 60 lapper Spencer made a move on Doss but when Doss pushed high, the two made contact with Doss suffering front end damage and Spencer taking the lead. Doss dropped out two laps later.

The remaining laps went smoothly with Spencer taking the win over Hvall, O'Dell, Roddy and Lakeport's Chris Straka. Rounding out the top ten were Graham, Hopkins, Middletown's Danny Bishop, Sean Hays of Redding and Steve Parrish of Santa Monica.

First place trophies were awarded to both Spencer for his win and Graham for his Tri-State championship by Robinson Rancheria Bingo and Casino general manager Scott Sirois.

Fast Time: Mike Doss, 12.180

Trophy Dash: Rick Spencer, Doss, Junior Roddy, Dana Stahl

Heat 1: David Sullivan, Chris Straka, Spencer, Steve Parrish, Jeremy Hopkins, Roddy, Frank Howard, Danny Bishop

Heat 2: Brad Wasmund, Doss, Preston O'Dell, Stahl, Randy Hvall, Eric Graham, Sean Hays, Janice Buschiazzo

Main Event: Spencer, Hvall, O'Dell, Roddy, Straka, Graham, Hopkins, Bishop, Hays, Parrish, Sullivan, Doss, Buschiazzo, Stahl, Howard, Wasmund

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