July 23, 2016. ….Eureka, CA….. The North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, returned to Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka Saturday night as a part of the Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram night at the races. Seventeen modifieds took part in the action with NSMS points leader Darrin Knight of Kelseyville the man of the hour, first setting fast time of 16.192 seconds and then passing Darin Snider (Kelseyville) on lap 35 to collect $1000 for his win in the Swartz Diesel Super 60 feature.
Mike Collins (Lakeport) lead the field to the start but when the cars entered into the first corner it was Snider who blasted into the early lead. All cars finished lap one, but on the second circuit Rick Andersen (North Highlands) slapped the wall on the backstretch, and when he tried to recover he clipped Eric Johnson’s car. The impact sent Andersen into a 360 spin, and although all cars continued, the incident created a blinding dust barrier bringing out the yellow flag.
Snider chose to restart in the outside lane and once again took control of the race with Mike Collins second, Knight third, Charlie Collins fourth and Darrin Sullivan fifth. Richie Potts swapped places with Sullivan to join the top five.
Knight was on a mission and dove under Mike Collins for second on lap four. Charlie Collins followed his line, also moving under Mike Collins for third. Meanwhile Snider was putting a healthy distance between him and the rest of the pack. Knight slowly lessened the gap and was tight on Snider’s bumper by lap 18. Knight looked high and low, waiting for Snider to make a mistake.
Snider continued to lead, and at the Wrap Star Pro half-way marker it was Snider, Knight, Charlie Collins, Mike Collins, Potts, Sullivan, Johnson,, Rich Cobb, Sierra Furia, Andersen, Herman Pulyer, Codi Barba, Ian Elliott, Adrianna Strugnell, Orion Mosher and Randy Houston.
Five rounds later Snider’s car pushed slightly and it was all Knight needed to fill the space and take over the lead for good. Once again Charlie Collins capitalized on the move, followed Knight, and stole the runner-up slot from Snider. As the top four pulled away it was a good battle at mid-pack with Sullivan taking position away from Potts, and Andersen batting with Sierra Furia. The last half of the race saw the leaders flawlessly move through lapped traffic.
Snider’s car lost its power steering ending his run on lap 42. Barba lost a rear end and drove to the pits on 51. Knight lead the pack to the checkered flag followed by Charlie Collins, Mike Collins, Darrin Sullivan and Eric Johnson. Rounding out the top 10 were Potts, Andersen, Cobb, Pulyer and Furia.
In the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash Potts collected $100 for the win, with Johnson getting $50 for second. Charlie Collins earned the Wenteq Hard Charger Award. Cobb took home the Naake Suspension award, and the DJ Safety Certificate went to Sullivan. The Scribner Plastics went to Furia and Snider. Knight earned the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award.
Race #7 of North State Modified Series will be at Madera Speedway on August 13. The modifieds will run on the same card with the Pacific Challenge Series Late Models.
The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Swartz Diesel, Lucas Oil, Sinister Diesel, Penney Racing Supply, American Racer Tires, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Wrap Star Pro, Wenteq, Scribner Plastics, DJ Safety, Renner Petroleum and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.
SUNOCO/PENNEY RACING SUPPLY TIME TRIALS: Darrin Knight (16.192), Darin Snider (16.278), Randy Houston (16.382), Mike Collins (16.411), Darrin Sullivan (16.412), Rick Andersen (16.579), Charlie Collins (16.639), Eric Johnson (16.666), Richie Potts (16.667), Sierra Furia (16.726), Rich Cobb (16.772), Herman Pulyer (16.806), Adrianna Strugnell (16.843), Codi Barba (16.903), Ian Elliott (17.141), Ryan Mosher (N/T), Bryan Denton (N/T)
LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH: Richie Potts, Eric Johnson, Charlie Collins, Rick Andersen, Sierra Furia, Darrin Sullivan
SWARTZ DIESEL SUPER 60: Darrin Knight, Charlie Collins, Mike Collins, Darrin Sullivan, Eric Johnson, Richie Potts, Rick Andersen, Rich Cobb, Herman Pulyer, Sierra Furia, Adrianna Strugnell, Orion Mosher, Codi Barba, Darin Snider, Ian Elliott, Randy Houston
