Mary Burton and family present the winner's trophy to Jason Philpot (Photo Courtesy Carrie Lauenroth)

October 1, 2016.... Anderson, CA...... Shasta Speedway hosted the championship race for the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, Saturday night, and it was Jason Philpot of Sacramento that lead the 60 lap “Lloyd Burton Against the Wind Modified Challenge” wire to wire to post his fourth NSMS feature win in 2016, and collect the $1500 first-place prize. But is was Kelseyville's Darrin Knight who was crowned the North State Modified champion for the second consecutive season.

Nineteen modifieds clocked in to participate in this $11,000 memorial event. The purse was doubled courtesy of Burton's brother-in-law, Mort Houston, NSMS, and other Burton family members and friends. Lloyd Burton was a native of Shasta county who was involved in racing, promoting, and officiating at several tracks in northern California. He was also the founder of the Northern California Auto Racing Alumni Association.

Lakeport's Charlie Collins set a new modified track record of 15.922 seconds with Knight the only other car in the 15-second bracket at 15.975. Collins drew an eight for the invert placing local driver Cody Braund, driving the Bob Lehman #82, and Philpot in the front row. NSMS 2016 Rookie of the Year Darrin Sullivan and Richie Potts shared row two, with Roseburg's Tom Ford and Eric Johnson in the third row. Knight and Collins were next in line.

Philpot forged ahead at the start with Braund and Sullivan next in line. Before even one lap was complete a 6-car pile-up in turn four resulted in four cars towed to the pits including Potts, Johnson, Guy Young and Herman Pulyer. Terry Deal and Michael Morrison also pitted but returned to the track at the back of the field.

When racing finally got under way Philpot powered ahead again followed by Braund, Sullivan, Knight, Collins and Rich Cobb. Collins swapped places with Knight on lap four as Philpot was driving away. Collins drove by Sullivan for third on lap 13 with Knight passing Sullivan the following round.

Both Collins and Knight were on a mission, and when the lapping process began, Collins swapped places with Braund and set his sights on the leader. Knight moved into third, dropping Braund to fourth on the 20th circuit, as Philpot was enjoying a 5-car length advantage on his competitors.

Collins and Knight gained ground on Philpot at mid-race, and at the Swartz Diesel half-way marker the running order was Philpot, Charlie Collins, Knight, Braund, Sullivan, Morrison, Cobb, Mike Collins, Codi Barba, Terry Deal, Tom Ford, Josh Stewart, Adrianna Strugnell and John Baker.

Baker spun on the back-stretch on lap 37 to bring out the second yellow flag, and at that point Terry Deal was given the lucky dog placing him back on the leader's lap.

The next five laps saw Collins attempt to move under Philpot, but each attempt failed. At the same time Collin's car showed signs of something rubbing on his tire, causing it to smoke. Track officials stopped the race to check the tire and both the officials and the driver determined that Collins could continue. However, the cards were not in Collins' favor and the tire blew the following round ending his bid for the win.

The final laps saw Philpot and Knight nose-to-tail, and at the checkered flag it was Philpot, Knight, Braund, Sullivan, Morrison, Mike Collins, Cobb, Barba, Deal, Ford, Stewart and Strugnell. Randy Houston, Lloyd Burton's nephew, developed motor problems in hot laps and was unable to start. Burton's wife Mary Burton, son Danny Burton, daughter Christine Burton and their families presented the hand-carved eagle trophy to Philpot. Philpot's name will also be engraved on the 4-foot tall perpetual trophy donated by Mort Houston.

In the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash Terry Deal collected $100 for the win, with Mike Collins getting $50 for second. Barba won the Wenteq Hard Charger Award. Charlie Collins earned the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award. Naake Suspention prizes went to Morrison and Deal. Adrianna Strugnell won the D.J. Safety certificate.

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, and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.

SUNOCO/PENNEY RACING SUPPLY TIME TRIALS: Charlie Collins 15.922, Darrin Knight 15.975, Eric Johnson 16.145, Tom Ford 16.192, Richie Potts 16.212, Darrin Sullivan 16.246, Jason Philpot 16.260, Cody Braund 16.270, Michael Morrison 16.319, Guy Young 16.325, Herman Pulyer 16.373, Mike Collins 16.397, Rich Cobb 16.461, Terry Deal 16.502, Codi Barba 16.636, Josh Stewart 16.715, Adrianna Strugnell 16.940, John Baker 18.12, Randy Houston N/T

LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH: Terry Deal, Mike Collins, Rich Cobb, Herman Pulyer, Guy Young, Michael Morrison

SINISTER DIESEL FALL CLASSIC : Jason Philpot, Darrin Knight, Cody Braund, Darrin Sullivan, Michael Morrison, Mike Collins, Rich Cobb, Codi Barba, Terry Deal, Tom Ford, Josh Stewart, Adrianna Strugnell, Charlie Collins, John Baker, Richie Potts, Eric Johnson, Guy Young, Herman Pulyer, Randy Houston DNS.