Crate Racin’ USA 604 Late Models 50 Laps

Keith Nosbisch (02), Cody Overton (97), Wil Herrington (14), Garrett Mosley (38), Logan Roberson (22), David Markham (515), Rodney Wing (10). Kyle Hardy (14c), Trey Bayne (21), Tyler Bare (30B), Brian Smith (7s), Travis Varnadore (41), Matt Herlong (131), Jason Welshan (01), Jody Knowles (66), Cory Hedgecock (23), Shan Smith (32), Mack McCarter (51), Dillon Brown (6), Josh Peacock (2), Tyler Neal (20), Jamie Burford (19), Walker Arthur (87), Austin Yarbrough (127), Blake Creech (317), Nevin Gainey (17), Jimmy Elliott (39J), Jeremy Shaw (1s), DNS – J.C. Wilson (02w), David Showers Jr. (118). (Nosbisch, Bayne, Yarborough disqualified 2-17-22 by tire test results)

Crate Racin’ USA 602 Sportsman 30 Laps

Richie Stephens (00), Seth Wimpey (24), Tucker Anderson (22), Mario Gresham (10), Brandon Yates (53), Austin Leamon (18L), Quentin Steedley (11), Troy Dixon (7), David Showers Jr (18), Wyatt Gainey (8g), Craig Montesi Jr (93), Kyle Beck (4), Zack Owens (8), Justin Rabon (5), Chuck Hargrove (H28), Jamie Anderson (2), Micha McCall (3), Matt. Thompson (22m), Joe Denby (27), Jason Hayes (10H), John Wayne Haynes (52)

After two nights of favorable weather, rain moved in on the final night of racing during the running of the 602 Sportsman A main. The rain led to the postponement to Sunday morning for the completion of the program.

Gates will open Sunday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. Cars will hot lap at 10 a.m. At the completion of hot laps, the features will be contested to finish the program.

A field of 71 604 Late Models took time trials with the field divided into six sessions. Top qualifiers were Austin Yarborough (15.581), Trey Bayne (15.578), David Markham (15.720), Dillon Brown (15.767), Zach Shelton (16.144) and David Showers Jr. (15.895).

Heat races saw wins for Cody Overton, Bayne, Markham, Wil Herrington, Kyle Hardy and Shan Smith.

In 602 Sportsman, top qualifiers were Joe Denby (15.888) and Richie Stephens (15.675). Stephens and David Showers Jr. won the heats.

IF YOU ARE COMING TO EAST BAY TONIGHT, ALL RACING TRAILERS, MOTORHOMES AND CAMPERS PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT.  DO NOT BLOCK ROADWAYS IF RACING IS STILL IN PROGRESS.   EVERYONE WILL BE PARKED TOMORROW STARTING AT NOON.   DO NOT PULL INTO THE PITS OR PARK ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE MAIN PARKING LOT UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD WHERE TO PARK.

The second night of the Crate Racin’ USA 604 Late Models and 602 Sportsman saw a similar car count as 21 602s returned and the field of 604 Late Models grew to 76.

Qualifying procedure utilized a combination qualifying hot lap session with as many as five cars taking times for their qualifying group. Doug Horton from the final qualifying group posted the fastest overall time with a blistering 15.809. Other group top qualifiers were Travis Varnadore, Jeremy Shaw, Brian Smith, Logan Roberson, Drew Kennedy, Keith Nosbisch and David Showers Jr.

A good qualifying run proved to be a ticket to the A main as Varnadore, Shaw, Smith, Roberson, Kennedy, Nosbisch and Horton won their heats from the pole. Showers was the odd man out, having to run a B main after his preliminary saw Jeff Choquette come away a winner in his first night of action.

The heats left many drivers seeking a last chance into the A-main through four B features. Mark Whitener, Jason Welshan, Walker Arthur and Showers Jr. punched their ticket to the 30-lap main.

Horton led the field to the green, holding the early lead with Nosbisch chasing in second. On a lap 13 restart, Nosbisch fell out, handing second to Roberson, who was attacking from the high side. Jeremy Shaw had begun to move into the top five, sweeping past Travis Varnadore and Rodney Wing to get into the conversation. Through the long green flag runs, Horton was beginning to catch the backmarkers, who were occupying the same line. Roberson tried to counter, staying to the high side, but Horton masterfully weaved through traffic to cross the line in front of the field. Horton went to Victory Lane, but an hour later, series officials announced a disqualification and the unofficial win reverts to Roberson.

Thursday runnerup Seth Wimpey led the field of 21 602 Sportsman cars in qualifying with a 16.650 run. Wyatt Gainey and Richie Stephens were best in their qualifying groups. Stephens, Joe Denby and Wimpey were heat winners.

A caution filled feature negated any attempts at long green flag runs. Stephens led Wimpey as the field managed to get a lap in before a caution with five cautions in five laps costing valuable race time. On each restart, Stephens went low and Wimpey stayed high, each looking for the ticket to victory. With 13 laps completed, the field was stopped for another caution, which led race officials to order a green-white-checkered to end the race. Stephens would take the 15-lap win over Wimpey for the second straight night.

The final night of Crate Racin’ USA Action in the 46^th annual Winternationals goes on Saturday night. Race time is 7:00 p.m.

604 LATE MODELS

Feature: Logan Roberson (22), Jeremy Shaw (1s), Travis Varnadore (41), Steve Mathis Jr. (95), Jason Welshan (01), Cody Overton (97), Nevin Gainey (17), Rodney Wing (10), Jeff Choquette (89), Andy Nezworski (7), Drew Kennedy (K37), Mark Whitener (05w), Brenden Smith (17ss), Walker Arthur (87), Cory Hedgecock (23), Matt Cooper (18), Jody Knowles (66), Trevor Collins (72), David Showers Jr. (118), Jamie Burford (19), Dillon Brown (6), Keith Nosbisch (02), Garrett Mosley (38), Mack McCarter (51), Brian Smith (7s), Joe Denby (27), Rodgerick Dykes (5). DQ – Doug Horton (46); Varnadore, Nosbisch, B. Smith disqualified 2-17-22

602 SPORTSMAN
Feature: Richie Stephens (00), Seth Wimpey (24), John Wayne Haynes (52), David Showers Jr. (18), Tucker Anderson (22), Micha McCall (3), Joe Denby (27), Wyatt Gainey (8G), Kyle Beck (4), Troy Dixon (7), Brandon Yates (53), Craig Montesi Jr. (93), Zack Owens (8), Chuck Hargrove (H28), Jamie Anderson (2), Austin Leamon (18L), Quentin Steedly (11), Jason Hayes (10H), Justin Rabon (5), Matt Thompson (22M), Mario Gresham (10)

With nearly 100 cars in the pit area, intense competition was expected for the opening night of the Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series with two divisions. With 19 states represented, the 604 Late Models and 602 Sportsman cars offered a diverse field.

The night opened with qualifying for the 75 604 Late Models, each getting two laps with the faster of the laps entering the record books. Garrett Mosley posted a time of 16.606 to lead the first group while Trey Bayne lowered it to 16.298 in the second group. Rodney Wing came out last for the third group and blasted a 16.304 time to lead that group. The fastest time would be lowered with group four when Steve Stratton Sr. dropped a 16.256 lap as his best. Fast time in group five came from Chuck Kimble’s 16.544 while Kenny Monahan nearly matched in group six, leading that pack with a 16.552. The final two groups tried to coax more speed out and group seven’s Nevin Gainey came close with a 16.307. In the final group, Steve Mathis Jr. succeeded in lowering the top time thanks to a 16.160 lap, but that wasn’t enough. Jimmy Waldrop rolled to the top of the group and the top of the overall charts with a 16.082 lap.

Top two drivers from each of the eight heat races would advance to the 30-lap A main. Each of the heats were won by the fast qualifier in each group, except for the second heat where local racer Tanner Cobb got the lead early and gained the win.

Four intense B mains helped determine eight starting spots in the feature. Mack McCarter. Wil Herrington, Travis Varnadore and Cory Hedgecock captured the consies.

A field of 28 cars included provision starters and fell in line behind polesitter Waldrop for the 30-lap main. Waldrop had a great start wiped out by a multiple car incident in turn one. On the subsequent start, Waldrop used the inside line to rocket to a lead as the field completed one lap before caution returned for simultaneous spins at each end of the track. Waldrop led the race until suddenly slowing on lap 10, exiting the race track under caution. The misfortune of the fast qualifier handed the lead to Tanner Cobb with 11^th starting Trey Bayne now in second. The man on the move was 2021 feature winner Kyle Hardy who had also started in the sixth row. Hardy was committed to the outside line and began reducing the gap between himself and the lead duo. Cobb and Bayne found themselves impeded by lapped traffic while Hardy often had a clear line. When Hardy got right behind the two, he had a car in his line and dropped to the bottom, quickly returning to the top. With three laps to go, Hardy was able to cross in second and chip away at Cobb’s advantage. On the white flag lap, Hardy swept outside and rolled to the victory in a thrilling finish.

Richie “Rocketman” Stephens topped the charts in 602 Sportsman qualifying with a 16.404 the best for the 21 cars on hand. Seth Wimpey led his group with a 16.527 while Mario Gresham was best in group one with a 16.849. The top qualifiers were able to parlay their pole starting spot into heat race wins,

Gresham grabbed the early lead in the 20-lap main, but the race was stopped three times before three laps were complete. Gresham was trying to hold back Stephens and Wimpey. As the field found the back of the pack, Wimpey’s decision to use the high side proved fruitful as Gresham was mired behind a pair of backmarkers battling for position. Stephens stayed in pursuit from the bottom and used a strong restart on lap 16 to grab the lead. Stephens would not be denied through the late stages, though Wimpey was gaining ground.

The two classes return Friday night for a similar program. Race time is 7 p.m.

604 LATE MODELS (Unofficial finish revised 2-18 following tire test results

Feature: Kyle Hardy (14c), Tanner Cobb (26), Trey Bayne (21), Nevin Gainey (17), Rodney Wing (10), Wil Herrington (14), Chuck Kimble (5x), Cory Hedgecock (23), Garrett Mosley (38), Trevor Collins (72), Jason Welshon (01), Travis Varnadore (41), Keith Nosbisch (02), Dillon Brown (6), Kenny Monahan (311), Brian Smith (7s), T.J. Brittain (05), Daniel Woody (29), Jody Knowles (66), J.C. Wilson (02), Jimmy Waldrop (9), Mack McCarter (51), Tyler Neal (20N), Matt Cooper (18), Steve Stratton Sr. (42), David Showers Jr. (118) (Cobb, Gainey, Waldrop disqualified 2-17-22)

602 SPORTSMAN

Feature: Richie Stephens (00), Seth Wimpey (24), Tucker Anderson (22), John Wayne Haynes (52), Joe Denby (27), Zack Owens (8), Wyatt Gainey (8G), Kyle Beck (4), Brandon Yates (53), Matt Thompson (22M), Jason Hayes (10H), Troy Dixon (7), Mario Gresham (10), Justin Rabon (5), Quenton Steedly (11), Micha McCall (3), Craig Montesi Jr. (93), Jamie Anderson (2), Chuck Hargrove (H28), Austin Leamon (18L)

East Bay Raceway Park would like to extend condolences to friends and family on the recent passing of David Strickland.

Services for David  will be held at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens at 2323 West Brandon Boulevard in Brandon. Viewing will take place on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with services the following morning (Feb. 11) at 11 a.m. Dress is casual.

The Saturday finale of week 2 put the “winter” back in Winternationals with cold windy conditions reducing the fan count, but drivers turned in for the final night of competition.

With the top six in points locked in for the DIRTCar UMP Modified 75-lap main, six heat races were held to move two drivers from each heat to the main event. Heat winners were Travis Varnadore, Tyler Nicely, David Pollen Jr., Bradley Jameson, Devin Dixon and Tyler Clem. The three B-mains gave the final chance for drivers to secure a spot for the $5,000-to-win finale. Those consolations resulted in wins for Corey Bevard, Seth Geary and Brandon Hutchinson.

The top six drivers were entitled to a special hot laps session, but only five chose the extra laps. Following that, drivers gathered on the front stretch to draw for position in the order of points. Lucas Lee went first and took the outside front row with Victor Lee, driver of #4, drawing the 4. When the draw came to the final competitor, defending winner Kevin Adams had no choice but to take the last pill – which was the pole position #1.

After all the competitors were set, the field came onto the track with the thermometer reading 40 degrees. Lucas Lee took the early lead and the field was slowed on lap 5 for an incident between Bradley Jameson and Seth Daniels. On the next lap, Drake Troutman slowed to a stop, ending his night as the two-time winner in 2021 was held out of victory lane this year. On the restart, Adams shot to the lead from the outside. Lucas Lee gained the top spot on the next circuit and led until lap 16 when Victor Lee charged top the front. Wednesday runner-up Chris Wilson, who changed an engine overnight, made it up to second when caution waved on lap 23. The yellow wiped out a big lead that Victor Lee had accumulated, but Lee picked up right where he left off. The yellow returned on lap 35 for the mandatory fuel stop with Victor Lee, Lucas Lee, Kevin Adams, Shane Burrows (from 18^th) and Nicely rounding out the top five.

On the return to action, Lucas Lee lasted only a couple laps before dropping the from the contest. Burrows contin uing his charge on the bottom, grabbing second on lap 49. By the time the caution returned on lap 58, Victor Lee had built up a 6.2-second lead, more than a half track in distance. Adams was able to eventually slip past Burrows who kept charging along the low line. The effort ended on lap 73 when Burrows stopped on the front stretch, setting up a two-lap shootout. No one could catch Victor Lee, who cruised to his second win of the week.

By the time Victory Lane had completed for the DIRTCar UMP Modifieds, the temperature had sunk to 37 degrees. It was time for the 25-lap A main for the Top Gun Sprints. Billy Bridges, Shane Butler and two-time feature winner Danny Martin Jr. won the preliminaries. The Lee and Jeff Barfield Memorial Clean Sweep, awarded to a heat winner who could win the feature, stood at $600.

At the start of the main, Shane Butler took the early lead but encountered a rough spot in the surface, which sent the car flipping. Multi-time series champion A. J. Maddox was collected in the incident and out of the race before a lap was completed. When the race went green, Martin wasted no time going from eighth to the front, passing Frank Beck on lap two. By lap nine, Martin had built up a half track lead on the field. As the leader was approached a lapped car, the car spun and continued right in front of the leader, a close call at the midpoint of the race.

After a lap 15 restart, trouble struck for runner-up Mark Ruel Jr. who attempted to pass a lapped car on the outside and hit the turn four wall. With eight laps remaining, Ohio’s Justin Clark used the outside line to make his way to second, but Martin could not be caught. Defending series champion Tyler Clem was able to pull Clark to claim at the end.

The 2022 Winternationals will continue with three nights of Late Model racing with the arrival of CrateUSA Racing 602 and 604 classes for Feb. 3-5.

DIRTCAR UMP MODIFIEDS

Feature: Victor Lee (4), Kevin Adams (40), Seth Geary (7G), Travis Varnadore (205), Allen Weisser (1), Devin Dixon (33), Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Bradley Jameson (757), Dale Kelley (22K), Shane Burrows (70B), Aaron Branham (38B), Chase Holland (45), Tyler Nicely (25), David Pollen Jr. (88), Brandon Hutchinson (85A), Chris Wilson (17), Dawson Cook (242x), Lucas Lee (12L), Brian Skaggs (20), Brian Shaw (1s), Tyler Clem (14), Corey Bevard (c8), Drake Troutman (7), Seth Daniels (21s), Patrick Passanise (54).

TOP GUN SPRINTS

Feature: Danny Martin Jr. (24), Tyler Clem (6s), Justin Clark (78), Larry McVay (83), Andrew Griffin (32), Brad Shanks (4j), Kristina Pratt-McVay (83k), Luke Hill (41), Dustin Burtron (97B), Josh Bricker (1X), Danny Jones (14), Troy Thompson (T15), Owen Dimm (17), Mark Ruel Jr. (20), Garrett Green (82), Nathan Barouch (13), Billy Bridges (1), Frank Beck (89), Brandon Grubaugh (G6), Skip Feriance (2M), Shane  Butler (18), A,J, Maddox (17D)