LAKEPORT SPEEDWAY IN REVIEW - YEAR 2002

Source: Nadine D Strauss
Date: 11/13/2002

LAKEPORT, California -- A record number of race cars competed at the Lakeport Speedway in 2002 in spite of the declining economy in and about the area. The one-quarter mile paved oval saw over 350 different racing machines fly around the narrow two-groove track under the promotions of Northern California Racing Association. In its 37th year, NCRA hosted ten different classes of cars in its 20 week points season and ended the year with the popular Bomber Bash in September and the 13th annual "Don Petersen Memorial October Classic."

In NCRA’s premier division, David Sullivan emerged the modified champion over second place runner Aaron Hicks and David Furia. Sullivan won three features to Hick’s five, but his four fast times and nine other top-five finishes pushed Sullivan over the top and into his first championship. Richie Potts also claimed three main events. Two-time modified winners were Gary Lowblad, Todd Coburn and 2001 champ Bill Binns. Single victories went to Furia, rookie of the year Sean Sweeney and Danny Bishop. Binns was the big $2000 winner at the October Classic.

The mini stock division held its own this year with an average of 14 cars per night and an overall number of 45 drivers competing. Stuart Lydon was definitely the man to beat in this four-cylinder division and he captured the championship by 123 points over Rod Gard. Rookie of the year Shawn Shearer finished third in points. Lydon set fast time 13 out of 20 tries and claimed five main event victories. He also had six seconds and six third place finishes. Gard was the surprise in the mini stock ranks with his four feature wins and six fast times. 1999 champ Dale Preston also won four races and Dusty Barton took home three victories. Single wins went to Shearer, Jonathan Reynolds, Justin Potter, Harley Sharpe and Mark Marek. For the third consecutive year a Shaha won the October Classic, this year it was Jason Shaha.

NCRA adopted the late model division for a five-race series in 2002, and in this very competitive class no one seemed to be dominant. Jeremy Hopkins emerged the champion by only seven points over Jim Stillman, Jr., and Justin Offenbach finished a close third. There were no repeat winners in this full-fended division, and wins went to Hopkins, Stillman, Mike Doss, David Sullivan and Danny Knight. Al Vogel came out of retirement to claim the 50-lap late model portion of the October Classic.

The bomber division continues to grow with 86 cars hitting the track in 2002. At the October Classic 68 bomber cars helped to overflow the pit area and the final car count for the classic was a record 180 strong in six divisions. The bombers run both a driver and a passenger and is a good division for family involvement. It is especially popular for husband-wife teams, father-son teams, father-daughter teams and mother-son teams.

In only his second year, 16 year old Derek Thorn claimed the bomber championship over his uncle, Kevin Medina and Don Baker. Medina’s son, Kyle Medina, earned the rookie of the year award, an honor

that was bestowed upon his father the prior year. Thorn set fast time 18 out of 20 tries and also was the fastest car at the October Classic. He won eight feature events in 2002 and won the first leg of the September "Bomber Bash". Kyle Medina won the second "Bomber Bash" 50 lapper. Other feature winners during the regular racing season included Kevin Medina, 2001 champ Darrin Knight, Kyle Medina, and Michael Bishop with two wins each, and Don Baker, David Stephens, Jimmy Sorrels and Chuck Egger all with single victories.

The 5th Annual INEX Spring Nationals for Legends Cars saw Michael Morrissey the rich winner over

Ryan Foster and Ryan Mosher. Morrissey also won the April event, Mosher won the June race and Frankie Winchel took both the August show and the October Classic.

Four-cylinder modified racing seems to be growing with Eddie Driskill being the dominant force in the NCI-4 ranks in 2002. Driskill won five of the eight season events with single victories going to Richard Persons, Billy Stillman and Codi Barba. Stillman set a new track record of 13.184 on their season opener and was crowned the overall NCI-4 modified champion at their final event. Robbie Robinson earned the title in the dirt point chase. Stillman also won the NCI-4 portion of the October Classic.

The Bay Cities Racing Association midgets thrilled the crowd when Jim Silva set a new track record of 11.935 seconds. It was the first time that a non-winged midget had broken into the 11 second bracket and Silva was thrilled with his accomplishment. John Sarale was the eventual winner of the Deake Lyndall Memorial on the July 4th holiday weekend and was presented with a check for $1000. The year 2003 will see BCRA run two midget shows at Lakeport.

The Tri-State Late Model Tour Car Series returned for their third bout at the Lakeport Speedway with local driver Mike Doss the quick car in time trials turning a 12.180 second lap, very close to Mike Sackett's track record of 12.120. Oregon’s Rick Spencer passed Doss for the $1500 win, Randy Hvall finished second, and Preston O'Dell placed third. First place trophies were awarded to both Spencer for his win and Eric Graham for his Tri_State championship.

The second year for the Northern California Modified Association sprint cars saw Scott Holloway set fast time, Dan Gonderman win the dash, Kenny Rines and Gonderman take heat races and Rines claiming the 30 lap main event.

Back at the track after a 10 year absence were the Pro Four Late Models. A small car count was joined by seven NCI-4 modified cars and the number one slots were shared by both groups. Doug Riparetti set fast time of 12.611 second and local driver Eddie Driskill won the dash. The heat races were divided with local Codi Barba winning one and Eddie Secord taking the other. Secord also claimed the feature event with his come-from-the-back maneuver.

The 2003 season opens on Saturday, April 12 with the NCRA modifieds, Mini Stocks, Bombers and the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model Series. A 20 week points season is on the agenda as well as the Bomber Bash on September 13 and the 14th annual October Classic on October 17-19. The complete schedule will be posted on the Lakeport Speedway web site at www.lakeportspeedway.com.

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