Sunday, June 24, 2018

Tellstrom Fights Hard For NSMS Win At Ukiah

Kyle Tellstrom (#5k) drove under Dustin DeRosier (#12) on a restart on his way to the front during the North State Modified Series race at Ukiah Speedway (Photo Courtesy Jenna Meyer)

Via Nadine Strauss/NSMS Media

June 23, 2018 Ukiah, CA.... Local driver Kyle Tellstrom of Ukiah battled leader Kris Price of Sacramento for 32 laps of the 60 lap feature until lapped traffic gave Tellstrom the opportunity he needed to take over the lead and drive to victory in the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, at Ukiah Speedway Saturday night. Tellstrom collected the $1000 top prize plus the $250 bonus from Ward Land Management and Development (WLM&D.)

Tellstrom also clocked in fastest in the 20 car field with a 13.430 second lap, earning another $100 from WLM&D.

The starting grid for the main event saw a four-car invert placing Price on the outside of Dustin DeRosier of Cloverdale in the front row. Defending NSMS champ, Darrin Knight of Kelseyville, driving for Terry Deal in the #01 modified, shared row two with Tellstrom. Madera Speedway winner Cameron Austin of Santa Rosa and Redwood Acres Raceway winner Jason Philpot of Sacramento started in row three.

DeRosier led the first round with Price up front on lap two. The race was slowed on three for a spin by Mike Neilson in the first turn. When racing resumed Price took control with Tellstrom diving under DeRosier for second. Three rounds later Knight snuck under DeRosier as Darrin Sullivan, Philpot and Oregon's Randy Houston were battling for position.

Lap 8 saw Donovan Cox's car on fire, and after the safety crew stopped the continued sparking in the engine compartment, Cox's #13 was towed to the pits.

Price continued to pull Tellstrom on the double-file restart as DeRosier and Knight jockeyed for position behind the leaders. Another yellow flag flew on lap 12 when Bryan Denton lost control and spun in turn four. At the same time Sal Lopez retired to the pits.

Price held off Tellstrom another19 circuits until they caught the back of the pack where Neilson and Rich Cobb were running side-by-side. Tellstrom drove low and Price chose the high side. Price attempted to squeeze through the slower cars when contact was made, cutting his tire. The yellow flew again allowing Price to pit, change the tire, and return to action at the back of the pack.

Three rounds later Houston pulled into the infield with mechanical problems. Lap 38 saw Sullivan's engine stop to slow the action again.

A lap 42 crash involved Denton, Eric Johnson and Neilson. Two rounds later, Kris Price was working his way through traffic, when he drove into turn one too hard and his car went off the track. Eric Price ended his run on lap 47, and Rick Avila drove to the pits on 52.

With only five laps to go, Kris Price was attempting to pass Bloom when the two cars made contract resulting in Bloom's car pushing up the track. Flagman Johnny Miskill stopped the action, and while under yellow both Bloom and Price were black-flagged for rough driving.

The final five went without incident with Tellstrom first across the Sunoco checkered flag followed closely by Knight, DeRosier, Philpot and Austin. Rounding out the top 12 were Young, Elliott, Denton, Cobb, Johnson, Strugnell and Neilson.

Philpot took over the NSMS points lead with two points over Kris Price. DeRosier moved into third place with Johnson fourth and Terry Deal fifth.

Johnson collected $100 for his win in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash with Eric Price taking home $50 for second. Young earned the Keyser Hard Charger award for passing the most cars. Elliott won the Naake Shocks certificate, and the Frank's Radios awards went to Tellstrom, Knight and DeRosier. The Scribner Plastics jugs went to Johnson and Eric Price.

Race #5 of the North State Modified Series “Driving Out Cancer Tour” will be on July 9 at All American Speedway at Roseville, CA.

The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Ward Land Management & Development, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics and Frank's Radios. #####

WLM&D TIME TRIALS: Kyle Tellstrom (13.430), Darrin Knight (13.485), Kris Price (13.534), Dustin DeRosier (13.536), Cameron Austin (13.577), Jason Philpot (13.589); Randy Houston (13.595), Darrin Sullivan (13.626), Eric Price II (13.791), Mike Neilson (13.832), Ian Elliott (13.835), Eric Johnson (13.838), Keith Bloom (13.845), Sal Lopez (13.865), Guy Young (13.866), Bryan Denton (13.872), Rich Cobb (13.907), Donovan Cox (14.144), Adrianna Strugnell (14.143), Rick Avila (14.246).

LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH: Eric Johnson, Eric Price II, Ian Elliott, Keith Bloom, Mike Neilson, Randy Houston.

SUNOCO / WLM&D FEATURE EVENT: Kyle Tellstrom, Darrin Knight, Dustin DeRosier, Jason Philpot, Cameron Austin, Guy Young, Ian Elliott, Bryan Denton, Rich Cobb, Eric Johnson, Adrianna Strugnell, Mike Neilson, Keith Bloom, Kris Price, Rick Avila, Eric Price II, Darrin Sullivan, Randy Houston, Sal Lopez, Donovan Cox.