Shasta Raceway Park Cheats Mother Nature for Modified Opener

For the second straight week Shasta Raceway Park patrons and competitors dodged the unseasonably chilly and wet north state weather to get in its second race in as many weeks.

In the I-5 Tire Factory Hornets Division the trophy dash was captured by John Johnson Jr in convincing fashion. Last week’s main event winner Ed Pulfer captured the first heat, with the second heat being garnered by Cherie Smith. During the 15-lap main event the green flag dropped with Cherie Smith closely followed by Wendy Oliver-Smith in the #33 car. Early on the top five consists of four Smith Family competitors and JJ Crile in fourth. Oliver took the lead leaving Pete Smith Sr. in third. The caution flag unfurled due to a pile up in turn 2, which forced several newcomers to the pits. When the green was once again displayed Wendy Oliver takes the win matching sister Barb Bruner’s feat of one-week earlier. Second was Oliver’s dad Pete Smith Sr., and JJ Crile in third.

The travelling Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds sponsored by BPT Carburetors made their first of six visits to SRP in 2010. It also marked the Pro-4 debut of Ukiah’s 14-year old phenom, Kyle Tellstrom. Tellstrom in a beautifully painted and lettered car had the competition covered by sweeping the program, with fast time, winning the trophy dash, his heat race, and the main event. The Pro-4’s put on their normal great show with Jake Tillman and Kevin Barba chasing rookie Tellstrom to the checkers.

In the Napa Auto Parts Mini Stock Division fan favorite Scotty Murphy edged out rookie Pete Smith III, a recent Hornet graduate, for the top spot. Keith “Gator” LaHue had the best night of his young career with a stout third place finish. Returning veteran’s Doug Winegarden and Gary Mangels rounded out the top five. Earlier in the evening Joe Bratolli experienced wall contact in the trophy dash and was eliminated from further competition.

The Taylor Motors Modifieds main event was a fast, action-packed affair with plenty of passing. The 2009 track champion, Guy Young, started shotgun on the field with early leader Stan Gunderson looking stout. Spirited dueling between Mike Wright, Jon Vanderpool, and Kyle Borden saw Borden climb to the back of the leader’s bumper by lap 20. Gunderson and Borden got together at the apex to turn one necessitating a caution with both going to the rear of the field. This opened the door for Young to continue where he left off in 2009 capturing his first victory of the year over steady Devin LaHorgue and Vanderpool. Mike Wright was fourth in the feature after earlier capturing the trophy dash and his heat race.

The Les Schwab Bombers wasted no time going three wide at the start, Chester Brown, Dave Capelli, and newcomer Ryan Wynea paced the early laps. Last week’s winner Chris Michael threads his way to the lead with Dave Lewallen close on his tail. With three laps to go before the turn around Lewallen comes out on top leaving Michael to chase him for a change. At the lap-15 turn around point it was Lewallen followed by Michael and hotfooted Josh Dorman close behind. Once turned around the caution stayed out for Dorman who was having mechanical problems. Dorman re-enters the track and goes to the back leaving the line with #48 in the lead, Michael in second, Capelli in third and Brown in fourth. With ten to go Dorman has come from the back to third chasing after Michael, with only a few laps left Dorman passes Michael and puts him in third. Dorman tries hard to catch the leader Lewallen but comes up a just short. The final run down was Lewallen, Dorman, Michael, Capelli, Brown, Randy Riggins who debuted his new- sharp looking Camaro with a sixth place performance, and Wynia held onto seventh.

At the end of the evening the Shasta Raceway Park Officials competed in their very own four-cylinder demolition derby. Concession Manager Amber Boddy assaulted her all-male competition to garner the trophy and the appreciation of the SRP fans.

The next event at SRP will be Saturday Night, April 24 with the highly anticipated United States Auto Club Sprint Cars invading the 3/8-mile oval for the first time in five years. Also on tap that night will be the Napa Mini Stocks, SRP Legends, Taylor Motors Modifieds, and the I-5 Tire Factory Hornets. For times and ticket information please go to the SRP website at www.shastaracewaypark.net