IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

June 21, 2009 Cobb Conquers East Bay Late Models By Larry Jewett 6/20/09 The fans were on their feet as the 25-lap South Shore Auto Sales Late Model feature hustled to its conclusion. Phillip Cobb and Jeff Mathews engaged in a doorslamming side by side battle for the lead that saw Cobb edge point leader Mathews, picking up his first win of 2009. Cobb had started the event in front, but lapped traffic stymied his effort for a wire to wire run. The backmarker forced Cobb to check up, opening a lane for two-time feature winner Josh Peacock. The new leader kept it for one circuit before Cobb hunched back over the wheel to snatch the top spot. He was in command until Mathews came calling and the sparks were flying as these two dueled to the finish. Peacock watched from third with Devin Dixon moving from 18th to fourth at the finish. Ted Erskine, who stayed in the top five for the entire race, was fifth. Cobb revealed that his car had been damaged on Friday night and the crew worked all day to make the East Bay show. Heats were won by Cobb, Jim Coursen and Steve Miller. The Q Auto & Injury Attorney Limited Late Models found a new winner in Victory Lane with Forrest Gough finally triumphant. Gough cashed in on the draw to lead the field from the start. He faced the challenges of point leader John Bradley and the strong running Tim Gay. None of the challengers could thwart Gough’s victorious run. Gay was credited with second, ahead of Bradley, Alex Boerner and J.R. Prather Jr. The preliminaries fell to Gough and William Hampton. Shirlene Hammond made a return visit to Victory Lane in the Outlaw 4 main event. Her strongest challenge came from Mickey Wright, who was seeking her first feature victory. Wright could close, but couldn’t seal the deal to make a pass. Sean Bass claimed third, ahead of Brian Danfort5h and point leader Stephen Hohlbaugh. Bass and Matt Haynes put together heat wins. The motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers had a healthy field of 25 cars for their 15-lap main. Roberto Morfin Jr. backed up last week’s win by slipping past Jimmy Odell and claiming the checkered once again. Robert Kissam made up ground from a starting spot deep in the field to claim third. Point leader Jim Baker was the victim of a flat tire on lap two, but charged up to get fourth at the finish. Kelli Hill ran a steady race for fifth. Morfin Jr., Baker and Collin Kruse had heat victories. The 4 Cylinder Bomber action was the opening round of the motorstats.com Smoking Hot Summer Series. Drivers will compete in the next three events with points tabulated and the winner getting $250 from www.motorstats.com if registration conditions are met. The prize will be awarded after the July 25 event. East Bay Sprints closed the regular racing as Paulie Milum became the first five-time feature winner of the year. Milum chose to buy new tires for the feature, helped by a new fan who put up the cash for one tire. Milum made his winning move on Tim George, who kept second. Rich Alexander had a strong race for third with Clyde Poole and Tony Agin in the top five. Heat winners were Poole and Milum. A Powder Puff race brought 10 ladies in 4 Cylinder Bombers for an eight-lap main. Jen Epps, winner of the Ladies Demolition Derby, outduelled Lynn Steele on the last lap for the win. ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, June 27 2009 at 6:30pm. The South Shore Auto Sales Late Models, Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw 4s and motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers will be joined by a Dirt Dauber Special and Fan Participation race, all on the night’s menu. For more information, call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!