Nosbisch, Raulerson Three-Peat at East Bay

Keith Nosbisch roared to his third consecutive Pro Late Model victory while Studio Red Gladiator racer Kever Raulerson once again came from the back of the field to capture his third feature in as many weeks.

Nosbisch, who picked up a heat win to start the night, started the 30-lap main from outside row three, joined by heat winner Phillip Cobb. At the drop of the green, Travis Varnadore vaulted out front and managed to put some distance on the challengers behind. Soon, Steve Mathis Jr. would emerge to give Varnadore something to worry about, but ultimately it wouldn’t matter. As the field headed for the end of lap 5, Varnadore slowed to a stop in turn four and his race ended at the point.

Mathis took the lead that he had had momentarily before Varnadore’s troubles and set the pace. Meanwhile, it would be Nosbisch who would be doing the chasing. In just a few laps, Nosbisch was able to sweep by to grab the lead on lap 8.

Mathis wasn’t done. Three laps later, he would make the pass to get the top spot. In four laps, though, he would be looking at the rear of the Nosbisch Rocket, a view that would not change though the distance between first and second did expand. For Nosbisch, it marks the third consecutive feature win and (counting heat races) fifth consecutive victory.

In the Studio Red Salon Gladiators, the previous feature winner is destined to start at the rear. For the second time this season, that was the fate of Kever Raulerson who found a field of 16 others in front. Early race leader Dustin Wilson, celebrating his 18th birthday, was tenacious in his defense of the top spot. Many tried, but no one was able to sneak past throughout most of the race. Meanwhile, Raulerson managed to keep his car on the absolute bottom of the track to march forward. A mid-race restart saw a four-wide position battle take shape with Raulerson shuffled back out of the top five. The remaining laps became a mission as Raulerson was able to secure positions until he closed in on Wilson. Raulerson was able to get by and hold on for his third straight win. Wilson unfortunately lost power coming to the checkered and yielded seven spots to finish outside the top five. Logan Casteel and Kyle Bowman started the night with heat wins.

Austin Sanders returned to Victory Lane with a convincing run in the Gagel’s Modifieds. Sanders had to deal with constant challenges, first from Garret Stewart and then from Billy Howard. To get to the front, Sanders used the high line, but the track changed and the veteran wisely abandoned that spot for a faster groove. Sanders grabbed the lead on lap 4 of the 15-lapper. Dale Kelley recorded the heat race win.

The Dirt’s 4 Racing Street Stocks always provide thrilling competition and tonight was no exception. East Bay 2019 feature winner Nick Hebrank opened the 20-lap main by scooting out to the lead. A lap two spin by Scotty Kay Jr. bunched the field for a restart. Tim Gay and Thomas Pratt had a nice battle for the runnerup spot behind Hebrank that eventually saw Gay prevail. Gay then moved to the lead on lap nine, but it would be short lived. Pratt took over for the first time on lap 11, becoming the third different point setter. Through subsequent restarts, Gay could not catch the leader while Scotty Kay Jr. rebounded to claim third. Results of the Dirt’s 4 Racing Street Stocks event listed are unofficial pending tire sampling.

Larry Rarer kept his perfect record intact, winning his heat and feature in the Micro Sprints. Rarer was able to get past Rich Livernois Jr on lap 2 to speed away for a convincing victory. It was Livernois’ first start in an open wheel class after competing in stock bodied cars throughout his career. He held second throughout most the race, eventually claiming third. Chris Livernois Jr. and Rarer were heat winners.

The fifth night of racing in the month of March will come next Saturday, highlighted by the 25-lap Jody Robbins Memorial for V-8 Warriors, Q Auto & Injury Attorneys Sprints will get their first opportunity of the season. Returning classes include Late Model Sportsman, Micro Sprints and Studio Red Salon Gladiators.

PRO LATE MODELS (Unofficial pending tire sampling)

Feature: Keith Nosbisch (02), Steve Mathis Jr. (95), Kenny Monahan (311), Roger Crouse (15), Megan Meyer (11M), Daniel Woody (29), John Norris (87), Jason Russell (75R), Bryce Alexander (8X), Jesse Brown (7jr), Todd Alexander (14), Dustin Perez (8), Phillip Cobb (03), Travis Varnadore (95V), Thomas Burnside (13B)

GAGEL’S MODIFIEDS

Feature: Austin Sanders (64), Bill Howard Jr. (47), Garret Stewart (67), Dale Kelley (22), Drew Jackson (08), Keven DeVrieze (99), Jim Baker (69x), Don Crandall (9c), John Zuidema (47Z). DNS – Pat Passanise (19)

DIRT’S 4 RACING STREET STOCKS (Unofficial pending tire sampling)

Feature: Thomas Pratt (22), Tim Gay (90), Scotty Kay Jr. (69), Nick Hebrank (24), Tommy Hill (1H), Justin Rodgers (95), Mike Wilson (68), Matt Bozeman (58), Billy Barstow (56), Henry Burnside (31), Allen Bailey (51), Thomas Braswell (67), Mark Roadarmel Jr. (B75)

MICRO SPRINTS

Feature: Larry Rarer (97Z), Jerod Meyers (0), Rich Livernois Jr. (17), Paul Seburn (23), Mike Meyers (7), Doug Dyal (97D), Chris Diamond (9), Joe Bartow (3), Corey Dyal (00D), William Burnside (13). DNS – Chris Livernois Jr.

STUDIO RED GLADIATORS

Feature: Kever Raulerson (99R), Bailey Purcell (14), Daniel Bowman (46), Kyle Bowman (46K), Logan Casteel (7), Robert Kissam (911), Thomas Adams (T2), Ricky Rutledge Jr. (124), Dustin Wilson (42), Wayne Kissam (8), Trevor Johnson (05), Jamie Kennedy (18), Alyssa Grant (36G), Johnathan Wood (99W), David Wood (21W), Rodney Martin (21), Chrissy Wood (4)