November 16, 2004 East Bay Raceway Park Sees Several Points Champions Crowned By Bill Green From Behind The MIC! Tampa, FL (Nov. 13th, 2004)- Several of East Bays points Championships were pretty well decided early this season, but mathematically nobody starts celebrating until its a sure thing. So it was the long wait for several drivers at the track on the infamous clay-by-the-bay, but tonight was several their nights to shine. The lighting-fast 360 Winged Sprints lost several key race nights in 2004 to Mother Nature and Hurricanes. But, it was Brian Maddox entering the final night some 60 points in front of his closest rival Paulie Milum. Just starting the feature would make it Brian Maddoxs 2004 Championship. Meanwhile Sarasota's Paulie Milum would have to do better than just starting the feature to stay in the second spot as Daryl Smith was only 26 points back and looking to move up. Frank Carlson, Jr. entered the night 30 points behind Smith in 4th, but the log-jam was at and below 5th in points. That's where you found Rick Byerly, Ray Bolin, Stephen Darvalics and Greg Leonard in a 27 point window. So any of those drivers could be in the top-5 at the end of the night. The 360 Sprint heats were their last of 2004 and Steven Darvalics took Heat-1, while Paulie Milum won Heat-2 going away. The feature would be a dog fight for the final spot in the Top-5 Championship, but on Lap-12 both Rick Byerly and Daryl Smith would see their motors go away. Leaving Ray Bolin and Steven Darvalics to battle for the win and the final 2004 Top-5 Championship position. Darvalics would finish better in the heat results, while Bolin took the feature win. In Victory Lane the 61 year old Bolin said, "This one's for the older crowd. That was fun!" Official points finishes will be available by Tuesday, so well have to wait for the tally. Second would go to Darvalics, with Johnny Gilbertson third, Sticks Greg Leonard goes fourth and Daisy Dukes Paulie Milum takes fifth. Mini Stock heats were run on a damper than usual racing surface, but no cautions were thrown as Heat-1 went to Greg Pae and Chad Rose took Heat-2. The feature would see Scotty Williams return to Victory Lane and seal the points Championship. Letting the East Bay fans know he would campaigning an Open Wheel Modified in 2005. Second would go to Josh Peacock, third to Greg Pae, fourth was Rich Livernois and Cecil Martin took the final top-5 spot. Limited Late Models sponsored by Able Body, INC. were up second in the heat race rotation. They saw Rich Kessinger take Heat-1 and begin his bid to enter the Top-10 in points, but Heat-2 saw Tim Gay stay 16 points ahead of Kessinger as he won it. The feature would be all Rich Kessingers, as he worked through the turns in a smooth drive out front. Second went to William Hampton, while Bruce Harvey took third, Tim Gay fourth and Steve Black gets a top-5 in the #1. Late Model heats went to Trevor Merrell and Roger Crouse in that order. The A-Main goes to Roger Crouse as the end of the season approaches. Second would be Jeff Mathews, third went to The Sheriff K. D. Kelly, with The Master Donnie Tanner fourth and David Schmauss fifth Street Stock heats were moved up in the program to help the track come in. Heat-1 saw David McCormack leave his drive shaft on the front stretch, while Joseph Jones went on to win Heat-1. Heat-2 was all Steve Burch, but not by much. The Street Stock feature would be another Phantom 309 Danny Paris win, insuring his Championship for 2004. Paul Davis would be the big benefactor in a last lap rush into turn-3. Davis came for 14th to finish second as Steve Burch settled for third, Wayne Hayes fourth and Paul Gibbs fifth. Tomorrow brings the End Of Year Go-Kart Banquet and the Annual Racing Family Fundraiser. So we hope to see you at one of those events, or maybe both. Next week the points chase ends as it will be the end of the East Bay Raceway Park points race for 2004. Fans will see Late Models, Limited Late Models, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Limited Sprints and the Gagles Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds next week as they will all finish their respective points runs. Check the EastBayRacewayPark.com web site for the updated December schedule. Well See You at The RACES! Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!