Redwood Acres Raceway, Eureka, CA
RACE DATE: September 25, 2021
WINTERS WINS $5000 IN NSMS DALE BALDWIN CHALLENGE IN EUREKA
By Matt Sullivan
It was “O’Reilly Auto Parts Night at the Races” at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka, and the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, had an outstanding 25-car turnout for the Dale Baldwin Challenge, the richest race in the history of the series. The event was presented by McMurray & Sons Roofing and Mark & Sharon Baldwin & friends.
Jason Philpot of Sacramento not only set fast time but broke the track record for the series at RAR with a 16.152 second lap to receive the O’Reilly Fast Time Award. Ian Elliott of Lakeport clocked in second at 16.227. Kelseyville’s Darrin Knight was third quick with a 16.252, Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah was next at 16.279, and Winters matched Tellstrom’s time at 16.279.
The invert for the 60-lap race was six which gave pole position to SRL Pro Late Model Series and Spears Modified star, Jeremy Doss of Upper Lake with Winters starting on his outside. Veteran Sal Lopez had issues prior to the 60-lap feature as he came to a stop on the front stretch during warm ups and was unable to return to the track. The green flag dropped but racing quickly came to a halt. Ian Elliott lost power going down the backstretch on the first lap which caused several cars to bunch up resulting in a yellow flag. Elliott was pushed to the pits and sadly out of action.
Doss took the lead on the restart while Winters settled in to second. Tellstrom moved to third while Darrin Knight fell back to fourth. On lap four, Darrin Sullivan and Philpot tangled down the backstretch while racing for position. Philpot fell out of the race while Sullivan was forced to pit to replace a flat right front tire.
Doss moved back to the lead on the subsequent restart while Kylei Keown pitted in a shower of sparks. Tellstrom moved by Winters into second and began to chase Doss for the lead. The caution flew on lap eight when Simi Tour and Idaho’s Rosalee Weller tangled going into the first turn. Fortunately, neither driver suffered significant damage and both continued in the race.
The next restart featured excellent wheel-to-wheel action between Doss and Tellstrom. Doss gained the advantage after four laps of tight racing. The trio of Doss, Tellstrom and Winters pulled away from the pack as the field spread out for a green flag run. Darrin Knight pulled into the pits on lap 19 ending his race. On lap 23 the caution flew when Randy Houston was spun in the fourth corner. Houston fell out of the race.
The lap 24 restart proved to have two of the most important moments in the race. Tellstrom was able to out-duel Doss for the lead while Brandon White had issues on the restart and fell back in the pack. Tellstrom appeared to have the superior car to Doss as another green flag run ensued while Winters kept himself in the picture in third. Doss was able to gain ground on Tellstrom as the two began to work traffic and the laps clicked off.
The race turned on its head on lap 53. While trying to pass Cody Braund for position off turn two, White got together with Eric Johnson. Jeremy Nowlin was also collected forcing all three drivers out of the race. With eight laps remaining, both Tellstrom and Doss knew that the restart would factor as to who would win. Coming to the green, the front row appeared to get together. Doss lost control in turns one and two bringing out the yellow flag. NSMS officials penalized Tellstrom for his involvement in the incident which moved Winters to the race lead.
Winters and Charlie Collins took the field to the green flag for what would be the final time. Unfortunately, the caution quickly flew when Doss and Tellstrom tangled off the second turn.
Due to the numerous caution periods and the necessity to start the late model feature before 10:00 pm the race was called after 52 laps. Winters earned the $5,000 victory. Second place Collins took $2,500. Cameron Austin was third and earned $1,500. Cole Brown ran a smart and smooth race in honor of the late Steve Taylor taking fourth and $1,200. Fifth place Keith Bloom received $1,000.
Winters also won the $100 Lucas Oil Dash for Cash. Bloom placed second for $50. Both Winters and Bloom took home the Scribner Plastic Jugs. The Frank's Radios gift cards went to Collins, Austin and Brown.
Keith Bloom earned the Naake Hard Charger Award for passing 12 cars.
The North State Modified Series returns to Shasta Speedway on October 9 for the sixth running of the Lloyd Burton “Against the Wind” Modified Challenge which will be the final race of the 2021 season for the series.
The North State Modified Series would not be possible without the support of Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Economy Heating and Air of Roseville and Nashville, Tennessee, Sullivan Construction and Masonry, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Supercuts, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Vogel’s RVs, Mark & Sharon Baldwin, Scribner Plastics, Mort Houston, McMurray & Sons Roofing, Mission Foods and, Frank’s Radios.
DALE BALDWIN CHALLENGE
presented by McMurray & Sons Roofing:
Scott Winters, Charlie Collins, Cameron Austin, Cole Brown, Keith Bloom,, Darrin Sullivan, Richie Potts, Kyle Tellstrom, Jeremy Doss, Cody Braund, Brandon White, Jeremy Nowlin, Rosalee Weller, Rich Cobb, Eric Johnson, Danny Helm, Orion Mosher, Kylei Keown, Simi Tour, Dustin DeRosier, Randy Houston, Darrin Knight, Jason Philpot, Ian Elliott, Sal Lopez (dns)
LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH:
Winters, Bloom, Tellstrom, Elliott, Brown, Doss
