The forecast was iffy on Saturday night but track management went forward with their plan to present a five-division program with six feature events. Twelve drops of rain at 7:30 was of no consequence and the show went on. Winners on this night included Jimmy Zacharias (Sunoco Modifieds), Tim Gullo (Super Stocks), Triston Kline (4 Cylinders), Gary Ham (INEX Legends), and Garrett Zacharias (Bowen Racecars Bandoleros). Kevin Youngs’ win in the second INEX Legends feature is unofficial as of press time.
Jimmy Zacharias got his wish on Saturday night, thanks to 17 other drivers who kept the 40-lap Sunoco Modified feature under the green for its duration. Early on in this one it was Gene Sharpsteen who led the way over Charlie Sharpsteen and Zack Knowlden. Zacharias and Connor Sellars, heat winners earlier in the evening, were methodical in their charge toward the front. By the seventh lap Zacharias was up to second and closing on Sharpsteen. As the pair exited turn four it was obvious that Zacharias would attempt a crossover move that had helped him get to where he was then running. It took place on lap 10, when the #71 went to the top of the leader board. Sharpsteen, trapped on the outside lane, was then passed by Sellars and Knowlden, dropping him to fourth. Once out in front this one became a two-man race. Sellars tried several times to get the nose of his #00 underneath Zacharias but the latter would shut down those efforts. He then looked to the high side but he never mounted a serious challenge. Over the final ten laps Zacharias and Sellars were distance images for Knowlden. When the handling on Sharpsteen’s car went away it was Lee Sharpsteen who moved him. He and Jesse Kent both passed the veteran driver. Top five at the line were Zacharias, Sellars, Knowlden, L. Sharpsteen and Kent. “Connor has a good motor and I might have been in trouble if we had a restart,” Zacharias surmised.
A week ago, the apparent winner’s disqualification handed the win to Super Stock ace Tim Gullo. Saturday night he was out to be the first across the start/finish line following a 25-lap feature. He did just that and swept his heat and the feature. Frank Chapman led the first lap but even more memorable than his lead was watching Gullo maneuver his car in turn two. Gullo went from fifth to second in a spectacular piece of driving. That opening lap completed, the race then went yellow when John Lane and Terry Potrzebowski got together. Trouble came on the restart. Lane, Cody Frantz, Jordan Mathews and Jim Lamoreaux got together in turn four and Lane was done for the night. On the restart Gullo prevailed and began to pull away. Nick Robinson was third, and by the 10th lap had passed Chapman for second. As Gullo increased the gap between himself and Robinson, the gap separating Robinson from Chapman also increased. Chapman then had heat winner RJ Zacharias all over him for third. Gullo was too strong and drove under the double checkered flags displayed by head flagger Allen Mathews for his second 2017 win. Regarding the impressive opening lap move, Gullo recalled what he was thinking. “Do I want the lead now or wait for it?” In victory lane, he spoke of the car and those who help him. “This is last year’s motor but it’s a good piece, a good handling car. Dave Machuga is a good ‘ole boy who’s a huge help.” Robinson was second, with Robinson, Chapman, Zacharias and Jason Duke in the top five.
Two 4 Cylinder drivers in search of a career-first win is the perfect storm for fans. Sarah Gooch wanted to celebrate on her birthday, while Triston Kline was hoping to reverse a season of bad luck. Both led, but it was Triston who scored the popular win and it was a sweep. Gooch led early, with Kline and Greg Moldt running right with her through the first five laps. Ben Perry was on the move and had second by the eighth lap. Just as lap 10 started Perry made a move for the lead while dealing with lap traffic. Perry, Moldt and Tyler Harbst all got together. Harbst retired while Perry and Moldt pitted. When the race resumed, it was Kline who took the top spot from Gooch, who held onto second. Heat winner Monica Green had passed Jacob Gustafson and Kevin May and was up to third. With five to go, Kline had a healthy lead over Gooch, and he took that advantage through lap 20 for his career-first feature win. “We’ve had to replace just about everything in this car, not once but twice this year,” he said while clutching the checkered flag. “I’m just so happy for this team.” The crowd also showed how happy they were for him. Gooch was a solid second, followed by Green, May (RWD winner) and Perry.
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