MILLER WINS FIRST HALF OF TRI-STATE DOUBLE HEADER

Source: Peter W. Moss
Date: 06/30/2003

18 Tri-State cars timed in Friday for the first half of the Fri.-Sat. double header with Eugene's Rick Spencer quickest at 15.260 nipping track record holder Randy Hvall's 15.277. Fortuna's Preston O'Dell was the only local driver making the dash with his 15.370 ahead of Miller's 15.447.

Ukiah's Frank Howard led the first heat over Fortuna's Luke Hall, Eurekan Jacob Winfrey, Gualala's Jr. Roddy, and Ashland's Brad Wasmund. Howard appeared on his way to victory lane until Hall shoveled him out of the way on the backstretch on the last lap. Flagman Tim McKeown was having none of it and waved Hall to the pits. He was placed last handing the win to Winfrey over Roddy, Wasmund, Klamath's Hank Hilton, Roseville's Jim Parnell, and local Sportsman driver Joe McDonald, who'd stepped up to run with the tour cars this weekend. Howard and Hall were 7th and 8th.

The fast heat went to McKinleyville veteran Ron Peters ahead of Ferndale's Jim Walker, Eurekan Randy Houston, Miller, Myrtle Point driver Mike Sackett, Ferndale's Dennis DelBiaggio, Randy Hvall of Grant's Pass, Coquille's Alan Cress and Spencer.

In the 60 lap main the Oregon contingent proved strong as Cress took the early lead ahead of Miller, Hvall, Spencer, and Walker. DelBiaggio spun on lap 6 in turn 4. As the field raced back to the yellow flag, Hilton drilled DelBiaggio, causing severe damage to both cars. DelBiaggio left on the hook and Hilton was able to drive to the pits for repairs. When racing resumed, Cress was able to hold off Miller until lap 12 when Miller and Hvall both got by. Cress settled into 3rd ahead of Spencer, Walker and Roddy. On lap 41 Wasmund looped his ride on the backstretch while running 7th. He rejoined the race and was able to finish 9th. Miller never relinquished the lead and led 48 laps to win over Hvall, Cress, Spencer and Walker. Sackett, who's had much success at RAR and was considered a strong contender, struggled with a clutch problem all night and limped to a 10th place finish.

Dash

Miller, Hvall, Spencer, O'Dell

Heat 1

Winfrey, Roddy, Wasmund, Hilton, Parnell, McDonald, Howard, Hall

Heat 2

Peters, Walker, Houston, Miller, Sackett, DelBiaggio, Hvall, Cress, Spencer

Main

Miller, Hvall, Cress, Spencer, Walker, Roddy, Houston, Parnell, Wasmund, Sackett, Winfrey, Hall, McDonald, Howard, DelBiaggio, Peters, Hilton

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