SPENCER WINS TRI-STATE CHALLENGE AT EUREKA

Source: Peter W. Moss
Date: 07/29/2003

Miller, who came in tied atop the point standings, set fast time at 15.303 edging Sackett's 15.305. Former champ Randy Hvall was 3rd quick with a 15.356 and Spencer filled out the dash field with his 15.377. Spencer won the dash ahead of Hvall, Sackett and Miller.

In the first heat, former Ukiah Speedway champion Junior Roddy, tied with Miller atop the points, led from flag to flag in his home built car. After a lap 8 spin by veteran Hank Hilton, Roddy was able to hold off local favorite Walker, Hvall, and Eureka's Randy Houston in the two- lap dash to the finish. In the fast heat, Medford's Dane Smith, a dirt track specialist, claimed the victory in a one race deal driving Brad Wasmund's ride. Chasing Smith to the checkers were Fortuna's Luke Hall, Miller, Spencer and Eurekan Jacob Winfrey.

In the 60 lap main event, the 6-car inversion put Shasta Speedway legend Roger Gannon on the pole ahead of Spencer and Mrytle Point's Sackett. Randy Houston led the outside line in front of 2001 champion Hvall and Miller. Hvall's car would not fire on the starting grid so he was pushed into the pits and the outside line all moved up a position. Hvall wasn't able to make repairs. Gannon held the early lead over Houston, Spencer, Sackett, and Miller. On lap 6, Gannon faltered coming out of turn 2 and was tapped, inadvertently, from behind by Houston. Gannon spun, yellow flew and Houston was sent to the back of the field, handing the lead to Spencer ahead of Sackett, Miller, Walker and Roddy. While the top four quickly separated themselves from the rest of the pack, Gannon and Houston worked their way back through the field and had gotten back to 7th and 8th. Houston passed Gannon, on the outside, on lap 34 only to be contacted on the rear bumper and sent spinning. Gannon pitted and returned and both were in the back of the pack again. The running order remained Spencer, Sackett , Miller, and Walker with Hall moving up to 5th and Redding's Kyle Cattanach 6th. The top 4 cars had run cleanly bumper to bumper for 53 laps. On the last corner, Miller made contact with Sackett's bumper and dove to the inside nipping him at the line for 2nd ahead of Walker, Hall, Roddy, Cattanach and Smith.

Miller's 2nd place finish allowed him to take sole possession of the points lead with two races remaining. Spencer moved into 2nd, five points back while Walker is 3rd, only six points out of the lead. Roddy fell to 4th but is only nine points behind Miller. Hvall's troubles dropped him to 5th but still only 24 points off the pace. The series' next stop is at Lakeport Speedway on August 9th.

Dash-Spencer, Hvall, Sackett, Miller Heat#1-Roddy, Walker, Hvall, Houston, Sackett, Jeremy Hopkins, Cattanach, Hilton Heat#2-Smith, Hall, Miller, Spencer, Winfrey, Gannon, Ron Peters Main- Spencer, Miller, Sackett, Walker, Hall, Roddy, Cattanach, Smith, Gannon, Houston,Hopkins, Hilton, Peters, Winfrey

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