Street Stock racers had been circling the date on the calendar when word started spreading about the first Gary Gay Memorial event for Street Stocks. Through the support of nearly two dozen businesses and supporters, racers were contesting one of the highest purses available for the class. The race was worthy of the payout.
Tim Gay, who scored two previous feature wins at East Bay Raceway Park in 2018, grabbed the lead from Tim Powers on lap five of the 25-lap main and waltzed away from the field. Gay lapped all but 4 other cars in his quest for the victory in the race named in honor of his father. Closest competitor Rich Livernois Jr. had his best run of 2018 with a second place finish. Livernois and fourth-place finishing Dennis Williams started the night with heat wins.
Point leader Joe Zuczek appeared on his way to his second Q Auto & Injury Attorney Sprint main, but 2017 track champion Justin Webster had something to say about that. Webster suffered through a broken suspension part in the heat, forcing him near the back of the field for the 15-lap main. While Zuczek was trying to hold off Keith Butler on a restart, Webster moved from fifth to third and set his sights on the lead duo. Webster moved to the top of the track and started closing the gap. He was able to hunt down Zuczek and pull to the front as the field rumbled off turn four. It was a veteran move from a second-year driver who made a triumphant return to Victory Lane.
Kevin Strife solidified his points lead in Micro Sprints by taking his sixth feature of the season. The lead pass on William Burnside came early and Strife, who won the heat race, could not be caught.
An exciting finish to the Gladiator main carried through the checkered flag. Hard driving to the end, Daniel Casey led the field to the finish line with Daniel Bowman and Brittany Hart charging behind. Bowman was not able to slow in the turns and rolled his car. The point leader was not injured and later got some good news in the pit area. Race winner Casey was disqualified when his muffler was dislodged during the race, handing the victory to Bowman. It was Bowman’s seventh win of the season and solidified his point lead. Gladiators still have three more events on the calendar.
The Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association featured three divisions of action with Midgets, Sprints and a combined V-8/6-cyk class. Heat winners doubled up by taking victory in their respective 10-lap main. Wes Hill (Midget), Cush Revette (V-8/6 cyl) and Stan Butler (Sprints) took top honords.
East Bay Raceway Park will honor Veterans of military service next Saturday (Nov. 10) with free grandstand admission with ID. It’s Full House Night with Pro Late Models, Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, Late Model Sportsman, Street Stocks, V8 Warriors, Gladiators, Outlaw Fours and Mini Sprints in action.
STREET STOCKS
Gary Gay Memorial – Tim Gay (90), Rich Livernois Jr. (71), Tim Powers (44), Dennis Williams (24), Jim Baker (69x), John Bradley (57), Thomas Pratt (22), Charles Christian (36), Craig Montesi (39), Henry Burnside (31), Justin Rodgers (95), David McCormick (26), Robert Tyler (99), Marco Reyes (93), Trent Wilson (3H), Allen Bailey (51)
Q AUTO & INJURY ATTORNEYS SPRINTS
Feature: Justin Webster (21), Joe Zuczek (50), Keith Butler (19), Tim George (1*), Kurt Taylor (55), Billy Bridges (11B), Guy Bos (3K), Mike Steinruck (44a), Travis Bliemeister (3), Brian Eckley (12B), Johnnie Alexander (1L)
MICRO SPRINTS
Feature: Kevin Strife (46), William Burnside (13), William Brannan Jr. (17), Mike Meyers (7), Bruce Comer (8), Wade Evans (27), Jerod Meyers (0), Joe Bartow (3). DNS – Chris Livernois Jr. (71)
GLADIATORS
Feature: Daniel Bowman (46), Brittany Hart (81H), Kever Raulerson (99r), Wayne Kissam (07), Johnathan Wood (56B), Thomas Adams (T2), Jeff Smith (15), Patrick Tabb (03), Rick Rutledge Sr. (4), Davey Martin (55), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124), Bailey Purcell (14), Kipp Cooper (2), Robert Kissam (911), Rodney Martin (21), Kayla Handy (8). DQ – Daniel Casey (3D). DNS – Kelton Watson (124w)