Results from samples taken on Dec. 19 following the topless Pro Late Model 50

DECEMBER 22, 2020

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The final racing night of the 2020 season at East Bay Raceway Park closed with a six-division program, highlighted by a 50-lap Pro Late Model main event as the cars competed with the roofs removed.

With 24 of the 25 entries ready to take on the main event, the field rushed to the green with polesitter Jeff Mathews asserting himself to the top spot. Newly crowned Pro Late Model track champion Phillip Cobb slipped past Mathews on the seventh lap to grab the top spot. The field stayed under green for the first 21 laps. A Bryce Alexander spin bottled up race leader Cobb and heavy contact was made, eliminating the race leader and Waylon Haynes from further competition.

Mathews time up front was short as Devin Dixon slipped past a lap later with the race witnessing six caution flags in the next 10 laps. During the period, Ivedent Lloyd and Mathews exchanged second place on several occasions until the lined up under yellow on lap 31 for a Travis Varnadore spin. On the restart, Dixon found himself swallowed up by the field with Lloyd gaining the top spot. Another long green flag period saw the leaders again working lapped traffic. Dixon, who had slipped back to fifth, came charging back to catch Lloyd as the white flag came out. Dixon had trouble with turn two in his pursuit and that gave Lloyd enough of an opportunity to break away for the win. Lloyd, Dixon and Cobb had won the eight-lap heat races.

Shane Butler scored another December Sprint win as the Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Sprints wrapped up their year. Butler, who won the 2019 Don Rehm Classic in December of last year, had a close call in the early stages, making contact with Andy Cobb in an incident that saw Cobb retire for the chase. Butler held the point on the restart ahead of Bryan Eckley and couldn’t shake Eckley at the return of the green. Butler worked masterfully through lapped traffic, bypassing up to fifth place by the time the checkered flag flew. Cobb and Eckley were heat winners. Steve Diamond, who finished third in the main, captured the track title.

In Street Stock racing, it was a familiar car in Victory Lane with a different driver getting the job done. With the 2020 Modified season complete, Austin Sanders got a chance to get behind the wheel of Paul Davis’s Street Stock, a car that had seen three feature wins on the year. Sanders made the transition from the open wheel car with ease, grabbing the lead on lap four and cruising to the win. Buck Woodhouse and Jason Burnside were heat winners. Billy Barstow, who carried the point lead into the final event, came out with the 2020 Street Stock track title.

The Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Mini Sprints closed their season on an unfortunate note as a lap 9 incident resulted in a red flag and concluding the race after a 43-minute stoppage. While running in second spot, Jamie Tinkham attempted to pass a lapped car and contact was made, sending Tinkham’s car tumbling high into the air. Safety crews worked with the driver, who was transported to an area hospital for observation and assessment. The drivers unanimously agreed to end the race, giving Bruce Comer his third feature of the season and backing up his earlier heat win.

Jamie Frankland prevailed in the 10-lap Florida Old Time Modified main event, outgunning Danny Bowman for the win.

The final feature of the night saw 20 cars take the track for the Gladiator feature. Daniel Bowman had the early lead and held it through the first half of the race until Derrick Edwards slipped past. Bowman kept the pressure on to regain the top spot on a restart, then hold off Bailey Purcell’s pursuit. Bowman’s fifth feature win combined with his point lead earned the 2018 Gladiator champion a return to the top of the class. Edwards and Robert Kissam won preliminary events.

The off-season will be a short one as racing will resume in 31 days with the first night of the 2021 Winternationals on January 19. Five nights of racing featuring UMP/EBRP Modifieds and Street Stocks will open the five weeks of action.

East Bay Raceway Park would like to thank the fans, drivers, crew members and employees for all of the efforst in a trying 2020 season. Without their efforts, none of this would have been possible. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you at Winternationals.

PRO LATE MODELS

Feature: Ivedent Lloyd Jr. (21), Devin Dixon (2), Daniel Woody (29), Jeff Mathews (33), Ashton Winger (9), Steve Mathis Jr. (95), Tanner Cobb (03c), Doug Horton (46), Josh Peacock (8), Joe Kump (721), Raymond Rogers (48), Kenny Monahan (311), Thomas Burnside (13), Megan Meyer (11M), Travis Varnadore (41), Keith Nosbisch (02), Wallace Peacock (P1), Bryce Alexander (14), Roger Crouse (15), Phillip Cobb (03), Waylon Haynes (11), Steve Brendle (141). Shan Smith (32), Matt Herlong (131). DNS – Jimmy Waldrop (9)

Q  AUTO & INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEYS SPRINTS

Feature: Shane Butler (18), Bryan Eckley (12B), Steve Diamond (9), Tim George (1*), A,J, Maddox (3A), Jimmy Miltner (4×4), Matt Wedgewood (15W), Stephen Muller (50K), Chris Hahn (2), Rick Dietz (15D), Andy Cobb (1C) DNS – Billy Bridges (11B)

STREET STOCKS

Feature: Austin Sanders (10S), Chris Livernois (71), Brian Morgan (9), Buck Woodhouse (55), Billy Barstow (756), Gary Lucas (106), Tyler Davis (55T), Jason Burnside (12J), Allen Bailey (51), Anthony Bennett (115), Doug Johnson (09)

Q MINI SPRINTS (Race called after 9 laps)

Feature: Bruce Comer (21), Ryan Meeks (12), Donnie T. Quinn (33D), Trey Almand (1), JoJo Davis (7J), Stephen Thomas (4T), Jamie Tinkham (51), Don Quinn (33), Mike Meyers (6)

GLADIATORS

Feature: Daniel Bowman (46), Bailey Purcell (07), Derrick Edwards (13), Logan Casteel (7), Ricky Ruitledge Sr. (4), Dustin Higdon (44), Rodney Martin (21), Patrick Fiore (88), Tracy Maynard (62), Davey Martin (55), Jerry Moore (70), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124), Callie Gubich (513), Joshua Ashmore (29), Patrick Tabb (03), Alyssa Grant (47), Dalton Ellis (46K), Trevor Appling (07A), Robert Kissam (911). DNS – Jeff Smith.

An eight-division program saw five season championships claim and included a new division in its first EBRP competition.

Earning the honor of 2020 track champions were Paul Seburn (Q Micro Sprints), Stephen Hohlbaugh (Outlaw 4s), George Handy (V-8 Warriors), Bryan Bernhardt (Gagel’s Modifieds) and Tanner Cobb (Late Model Sportsman)

Micro Sprints opened the action as the first of eight features. The 10-lap main saw heat winner Doug Dyal in pursuit of point leader Paul Seburn, but Seburn was able to scoot to his sixth win of the year and secure the track title in the final race for the division.

The V-8 Warriors were also scheduled to close their season. Raymond Vann and Jason Burnside opened the night with preliminary wins. In the 15-lap feature, Burnside assumed immediate control and began to stretch his lead while some tight battles were taking shape in the top five. The race was stopped at the halfway mark when Wayne Kissam made hard contact with a spun Juston Meeks, forced a red flag for clean-up efforts. When the race resumed, Burnside pulled away from the field, but started to be reeled in by Gary Lucas. With two laps to go, Lucas was able to slip past Burnside and claim his second feature win of the year. Lucas ended up as runner-up in the point standings to teammate George Handy.

Street Stocks still have one race left in their season and the night saw one of the most exciting finishes. Heat winners Paul Davis and Richard Livernois started on the front row, each looking for their third main event win of the year. Livernois took the early lead and Davis settled second. Defending champion Matt Bozeman slipped past Davis briefly, but Davis was able to regain his spot in pursuit of Livernois. As the field began to work through traffic, the gap tightened. The white flag came out with David right behind Livernois. The lead dup encountered a pair of backmarkers in the third turn of the final lap with Davis going low and Livernois high. The decision proved to be the right one for Davis, who squeaked out the win.

The 4.6L Ford class that competes at other Florida race tracks had sought an opportunity to compete at East Bay and a decision was made to add the class for this night. A field of 11 cars, including drivers who towed more than three hours, got an opportunity to try their hand at the Clay by the Bay. Jesse Brown and Ernie Turner won their respective heat races, but it would be South Florida racer Coty Gray who won the caution-free 15-lap main.

The Late Model Sportsman track championship had already been claimed by five-time feature winner Tanner Cobb, but the final race on the schedule provided its share of excitement. Cobb and Jon Basquin opened the action with heat wins. In the main, Kenny Monahan claimed the early race lead and carried it through the first 10 laps until Phillip Cobb stepped to the outside to pull away for the win.

By virtue of his appearance, Stephen Hohlbaugh clinched the point title and settled in for the competition. The 2019 class champion, Brandon Yates, won the heat race. Billy Dukes took the early lead in the feature. Dukes lost the lead momentarily to Vernon Hart on lap four, but gained it back before the lap was complete. Dukes would not have it easy as Hart stayed within striking distance. Hart was able to slide by as Dukes exited the race with an apparent tire issue. Hart avenged a disappointing finish in his last run by claiming his second feature win of the season.

The Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds wrapped up the year, but the point race was long decided with Bryan Bernhardt successfully defending the title. On this night, Bernhardt and Austin Sanders would open with six-lap heat wins. Roger Crouse held down the top spot in the feature, but only for two laps as Bernhardt swept by. The most consistent challenge to Bernhardt came from Sanders, who stayed close but could not bypass the eventual winner.

The final class of the night saw Gladiators with a good turnout in what be a lead-in to their final race next week. Bailey Purcell and Ricky Rutledge Sr. claimed their preliminaries and would start the feature in the second row. Patrick Tabb started off as the early lead, a quest to secure his fourth feature of the year. Tabb held on through the halfway mark, but Derrick Edwards would move into the top spot on lap 9. From there, Edwards had little trouble on the remaining laps, crossing the line in front of the field. The trouble came in the tech shed when Edwards, driving the car of another competitor, was found in violation, handing the win to Tabb.

The final night of the 2020 season will take place on Dec. 19 with a 50-lap Pro Late Model topless race paying $2,500 to win as well as Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Sprints, Street Stocks, Gladiators, Q Mini Sprints and Florida Old Time Modifieds.

GAGEL’S OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS

Feature: Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Austin Sanders (64), David Pollen (88), Roger Crouse (15), Jake Leitzman (2), Megan Meyer (11M), Pat Passanise (19), Paul Rival (15R), Doug Dyal (97D), Billy Howard (47), Tim McLeod (192), Eric Moon (18)

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN

Feature: Phillip Cobb (03), Kenny Monahan (311), Wallace Peacock (P1), Brenden Smith (17ss), Josh Peacock (0), Jimmy Waldrop (9), Cole Crawford (4), Thomas Burnside (13), Megan Meyer (11M), Jon Basquin (16), Tanner Cobb (03c). DNS – Skyler Camper (28)

STREET STOCKS

Feature: Paul Davis (10D), Richard Livernois (71), Buck Woodhouse (55), Matt Bozeman (58), Billy Barstow (756), Danny Bowman (115), Jon Kohutich (7x), Tyler Davis (55T), Doug Johnson (09), Allen Bailey (51)

V-8 WARRIORS

Feature: Gary Lucas (106), Jason Burnside (12J), George Handy (105), Nick Brown (12), James Hall (87), Raymond Vann (1), Randy Shields (49), Mark Roadarmel Jr. (81), Derek Gray (189), Cody Mezyk (40), Macy Bozeman (58), Kayla Handy (104), Juston Meeks (10), Wayne Kissam (107), Jeremy Simpson (72)

OUTLAW 4S

Feature: Vernon Hart (48), Stephen Hohlbaugh (23S), Mark Moniz (41E), Kenny Novak (53), Brandon Yates (22), Billy Dukes (82), Thomas Braswell Jr. (88)

4.6 FORDS

Feature: Coty Gray (2x), Michael Arnett (4x), Shawn Senokosoff (13), Chris Oncken (883), tom Boddy (01), Ernie Turner (44), Richard Pressley (24), James Norwood (1X), Jesse Brown (29), Lenny Gorman (57), Trevor Appling (75)

Q AUTO & INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEYS MICRO SPRINTS

Feature: Paul Seburn (23), Doug Dyal (97D), Joshua Davis (9), William Burnside (13), Daniel Riotto (24)

GLADIATORS

Feature: Patrick Tabb (03), Bailey Purcell (07), Ricky Rutledge Sr. (4), Daniel Bowman (46), Alyssa Grant (47), Robert Kissam (911), Dalton Ellis (46k), Jerry Moore (70), Hunter Lovelady (68), Tracy Maynard (62), Rodney Martin (21), Joshua Ashmore (29), Callie Gubich (513), Randy Tyler (22), Brittany Hart (99), Davey Martin (55). DQ – Derrick Edwards (13)

The 3^rd annual Don Rehm Non-Wing Classic once again served as the season finale for the Top Gun Sprints with a field of 24 cars on hand for the 25-lap feature. The event saw a $1,500 payout for the winner, but the effort of supporting individuals and businesses drove an additional $3,000 to benefit all positions, along with contingency awards.

Four heat races were held to increase the odds of a payout for the series’ Lee and Jeff Barfield Memorial Clean Sweep, which had elevated to $1,200 since it had gone unclaimed for the past three races. In those four races, the eventual winner came from the second row with Justin Webster, Brandon Grubaugh, Shane Butler and point leader A.J. Maddox securing the wins.

Those heat race winners would be relegated to the third and fourth rows for the main event. On the initial start, Tyler Clem sliced from the second row to the lead, but a single car spin negated the start, forcing a complete restart. At the next green flag, front row starter Steve Diamond shot to the top spot with Clem in tow. Butler vaulted to second on the fourth lap and began to hunt down Diamond. Butler was able to use the confusion of lapped traffic to slide by for the lead, bring Maddox along to second on lap six. Two laps later, a Ryan Bartholomew spin off turn two collected Andy Griffin, who flipped after contact. A 10-minute red flag period ensued before the field gathered for the restart.

Butler and Maddox developed their own race, reminiscent of last year’s contest. Grubaugh was on the move, slipping by Clem into fourth. On lap 12, Maddox made his move in turn four, scooting out front while Grubaugh went to third. A Nathan Barouch spin on lap 18 happened right in front of Maddox, who dodged the mishap successfully. During the caution, Grubaugh retired with mechanical issues, moving Diamond back to third.

Butler began to close in on Maddox as the field drew within five laps of the finish. On lap 21, Butler as able to get by, but Maddox regained the lead by the time the duo came to the stripe. The win was undecided through the final turns as Maddox charged home with the victory.

The win marked the fourth Top Gun Sprints win of the year for the defending champion, who parlayed his finishes to the 2020 title. Maddox now becomes a four-time series champion. This title marks the first time Maddox was able to successfully defend the previous year’s crown.

Top Gun Sprints will open their 2021 season at East Bay Raceway Park as part of the 45^th annual Winternationals, Feb. 4-6, 2021.

The Mod Lites wrapped up their season with a new face in Victory Lane as Alex Cline backed up a heat win with a feature victory. Defending track champion Austin Martin was able to make it back-to-back titles with a fourth place to go along with his two feature wins on the season, winning the title by four points over Bo Bass.

Bryan Bernhardt secured his fifth win of the year and wrapped up his third consecutive class championship, even though the class still has one week remaining on the schedule. Bernhardt was able to dispatch race leader Travis Varnadore on lap 8 and cruise to the win. Bernhardt and Dale Kelley were winners in the preliminary events.

Bruce Comer made a last lap pass on point leader Jamie Tinkham, who led the first 14 circuits. Comer’s drive off turn four on the final lap launched him into Victory Lane for the second time this season. Come won his earlier heat with Kenny Brewer scoring the other preliminary.

The Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association was on hand with three divisions. Features were won by Ted Filides (Midgets), Cush Revette (Modifieds) and Darren Nichols (Sprints)

East Bay Raceway Park will continue the 2020 schedule with a seven-event card on Saturday, Dec. 12. Racing will include the final night of competition for the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modfieds, Late Model Sportsman, V-8 Warriors and Q Micro Sprints and Outlaw 4s. Street Stocks and Gladiators will compete with their final events on December 19.

TOP GUN SPRINTS

Feature: AJ Maddox (3A), Shane Butler (18), Steve Diamond (13HD), Justin Webster (21), Tyler Clem (6S), Bryan Eckley (12B), Kyle Connery (91), Luke Hill (41), John Kahl (13X), Tim George (1*), Frank Carlsson (20), Cole Nichols (N20), Scott Baldwin (4), Chris Hahn (2), Nathan Barouch (13), Brandon Grubaugh (G6), Jimmy Miltner (4×4), Ryan Bartholomew (11G), Andrew Griffin (27), Sheldon Kinser Jr. (17C), Garrett Green (82), Rick Dietz (15), Billy Bridges (11B), Rob Converse (C3)

MOD LITES

Feature: Alex Cline (07C), Darren Bass (14B), Bo Bass (41B), Austin Martin (97), Jeff Bonnema (5B), Terry Joiner (6), Andrew Smith (71), Rocky Scott (42), Thomas Walsh (32T)

GAGEL’S OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS

Feature: Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Austin Sanders (64), Dale Kelley (22), Travis Varnadore (205), Billy Howard (47), Megan Meyer (11M), Pat Passanise (19), Chris Bailey (77B), Drew Jackson (08). DNS – Paul Rival (15R)

Q AUTO & INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEYS MINI SPRINTS

Feature: Bruce Comer (21), Jamie Tinkham (51), Kenny Brewer (45), Dennis Sanchez (11), JoJo Davis (7J), Don Quinn (33), Trey Almand (1), Stephen Thomas (4T), Mike Meyers (6), Brian Baxter (98), Donnie Quinn (33D), C.J. Nelson (03), Ryan Meeks (12). DNS – Ryan Walters (13)

With Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday behind us, we turned our attention to “Let’s Go Racing” Saturday as East Bay Raceway Park hosted the six-division program that included a special event for the Gladiator class. The planned 25-lap race originally was set to pay $250 for the winner, but anonymous donations drove the winner’s share to $770 for the race.

Heat winner Derrick Edwards grabbed the lead at the start of the Gladiator feature and held off challenges for the first two laps. Robert Kissam, who started inside the second row, made his move in turn two to wrest away the lead as the field headed for the backstretch, Dalton Ellis would grab second before the first caution flew for debris from a blown tire. Logan Casteel moved past Ellis for second when Ellis was pinned by a lapped car on lap 9 and the two would spend the rest of the time swapping the position throughout the race.

Several cautions would slow the race between lap 14 and lap 15. On lap 16, Daniel Bowman, who started at the rear due to his win in the previous event, had charged to the top five when contact with Patrick Tabb brought the car to a stop on the back straightaway. At the other end of the track, the field was slowing for the yellow when Rodney Martin tangled with another car and ended up stranded on an infield barrier tire. While the safety crews worked to free Martin, the field circulated past the incident site when Eric Davis’ car suddenly caught fire. Davis pulled from the track and attempted to get out the car to escape the flames. Driver Joe Garrita saw what was happening, stopped his car and jumped out to assist the driver. Both were able to escape the flames. But Davis was done for the event.

As the race began to wind down, Kissam continued to lead the way with Casteel and Ellis pre-occupied with their own battles. The checkered flag arrived, giving Kissam his biggest payday of his career and first feature win of the season.

In addition to Edwards, Ellis and Bowman claimed heat wins. A field of 23 cars were on hand for the event.

Tanner Cobb became the first driver to clinch a class championship as the second-generation racer scored his fifth victory in Late Model Sportsman action. Tim Dowling led to the halfway mark with Cobb picking up spots from his fifth starting position to second. Cobb moved inside Dowling on lap 8 and rolled out to the win, backing up an earlier heat victory.

Attrition appeared in the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds before the field took the green. After Austin Sanders and Bryan Bernhardt won their heat races, a number of cars would not make the call to the feature lineup, leaving only 5 cars to start the 15-lap feature. Throughout the event, several incidents involving contact between drivers left the field reduced to three cars through the final laps. Bernhardt recorded his fourth win of the season as the defending class champion cruised to the win.

The closest feature finish of the night would come in the 15-lap event for Street Stocks. Heat winner Paul Davis took command early on, but soon would become the object of attention for fellow heat winner Richard Livernois. Livernois had gotten past Buck Woodhouse to claim second and began reeling in Davis. As the duo raced off turn four, it was anyone’s race and Davis had enough to drive through for his second feature win of the year.

Kenny Brewer took the lead on the second lap of the Q Auto & Injury Medical Malpractice Attorneys Mini Sprint feature and rolled out to his second main event triumph of the year. Ryan Meeks charged to second to record his best finish of the season while heat winner Dennis Sanchez scored third for his best run.

Danny Bowman collected the checkered flag for the Florida Old Time Modifieds.

Three more nights of racing remain on the 2020 scheduled with consecutive weeks continuing on December 5. That’s the night of the 2020 Top Gun Sprints’ final race, which will be the annual Don Rehm Classic, a wingless main event in honor of the series founder. The Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds and Q Mini Sprints return and the Mod Lites make their final appearance of the year. The Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association will feature the finest in vintage racing action.

GLADIATORS

Feature: Robert Kissam (911), Dalton Ellis (46K), Logan Casteel (7), Ricky Rutledge Sr. (4), Bailey Purcell (07), Alyssa Grant (47), Rodney Martin (21), Davey Martin (55), Patrick Tabb (03), Tracy Maynard (62), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124), Joe Garrita (15), Joshua Ashmore (29), Daniel Bowman (46), Eric Davis (20), Wayne Kissam (811), Derrick Edwards (17), Randy Shields (222), Dustin Higdon (44), David Zeman (13), Randy Tyler (22), Callie Gubich (513). DNS – Chuck Frater

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN

Feature: Tanner Cobb (03c), Kenny Monahan (311), Megan Rae Meyer (11M), Cole Crawford (4), Tim Dowling (12D), Steve Brendle (141). DQ – Wallace Peacock (P1)

GAGEL’S OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS

Feature: Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Billy Howard Jr. (47), Megan Rae Meyer (11M), Austin Sanders (64), Drew Jackson (08). DNS – David Pollen (88), Chris Bailey (77B), Bill Howard (47), Doug Dyal (97D), Tim McLeod (192)

STREET STOCKS

Feature: Paul Davis (10D), Richard Livernois (71), Buck Woodhouse (55), Matt Bozeman (58), Billy Barstow (756), Allen Bailey (51), Doug Johnson (09D), Jimmy Baker (5), Roger Crouse (15). DNS – Mike Wilson (68)

Q AUTO & INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEYS MINI SPRINTS

Feature: Kenny Brewer (45), Ryan Meeks (12), Dennis Sanchez (11), Mike Meyers (6), Don R Quinn (33), JoJo Davis (7j), Trey Almand (1), Donnie T. Quinn (33D), Shanna Walters (13). Jamie Tinkham (51). DNS – Randy Thomas (4T)