Bobby Alexander, Sr. Returns to Victory Lane at East Bay Raceway Park.
By Jason Loughren
6/28/08

The Clay by the Bay was rocking again on Saturday night as around 100 cars showed up ready to race. This marked the end of the first part of the season as the 2008 Summer schedule kicks off July 12. Fans that have been coming to East Bay for years saw a pair of seasoned veterans return to victory lane.

Another action packed night of racing at East Bay Raceway Park started off with the make up race for the Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds that was postponed due to rain on lap 3 two weeks ago. Alex Boerner was the leader when the rains came and resumed the lead on the restart. He was able to hold off Jeff Mathews for the win. Mathews finished 2nd. Scotty Williams had a strong run and finished 3rd. Austin Sanders and Tim Gay rounded out the top-5.

In the Limited Late Models J.R. Prather Jr. took the win via a disqualification to the Tim Gay machine that had crossed the stripe in first place. Bullet Bob Peterson finished 2nd. Daniel Woody came in 3rd place. Jason Bronson started 16th and came home with a 4th place finish. Kenny Monahan rounded out the top-5. Forrest Gough and Prather Jr. won the heat races.

In the Outlaw 4 division Shane Burrows, Jim Coursen and Chad Rose put on a race to remember as they battled for the lead sometimes 3 wide for the early laps. All three with strong cars took turns with the lead. As the laps wound down Shane Burrows took the lead and was able to hold off the charge of points leader Jim Coursen. Burrows won the feature, his 3rd of the season. Coursen finished 2nd. Rose started and finished 3rd. Mickey Wright came home 4th. Matt Haynes rounded out the top-5. Coursen and Mavrick Varnadore won the heat races.

In the Late Models another great field of cars was on hand as 19 cars took the green flag for their 25 lap feature event. Steve Miller got an early jump on the field and led many of the early laps. Miller’s night was cut short when he and Jeff Mathews collided in turn 1 on mid race restart. JR Prather, Jr took over the lead with the exit of Miller and Mathews and would lead until he got together with Trevor Merrell in turn 4. These events opened the door for the hard charging Bobby Alexander, Sr. to take the lead and eventually the win. Alexander, Sr. was able to hold off pole sitter Travis Varnadore for his first win of the season. Alexander, Sr. started in the 19th position, shotgun on the field. Varnadore finished 2nd. Ted Erskine started 7th and finished 3rd. KD Kelley finished 4th and John Norris earned his first top 5 of the season with a 5th place finish. Prather and Varnadore won the heat races.

The Gagel’s Open Wheeled Modifieds returned to the track for the second time and it was a tale of two racing veterans battling for the victory. Bobby Dixon and Buzzie Reutimann fought for the lead as the laps wound down. Dixon gave a top effort and held off Reutimann for the win, his first of the season. Reutimann finished 2nd. Austin Sanders had a strong run and was 3rd. Scotty Williams finished 4th. Tim Gay rounded out the top-5.

The Convire 4 cylinder bombers completed the night’s racing program. George Christensen and Collin Kruse battled for the lead for the entire race with ”The Odessa Flash” Christensen coming out on top. It was his second win of the season. C. Cruse finished 2nd. Frank Miller came home 3rd. Kyle Kruse and Bubba Prayer rounded out the top 5. Chirstensen and Miller won the heat races.

ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, July 12th, 2008 at 6:30pm. The Limited Late Models, Outlaw 4’s, Motorstats.com Street Stocks, and Convire 4 cylinder bomber will all be in action. There will also be Golf Cart Slip & Slide. For more information call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at http://www.eastbayracewaypark.com.