Points Champions Crowned At Tom Karrick Memorial Event

WYANDOTTE, KS (Sept. 1, 2006) -For the past few weeks mother nature has won out. On Friday night, racing finally returned to Lakeside Speedway. Fans and racers were treated with yet another great event at Lakeside Speedway. Several things happened on Friday night. A driver came of age, racing was outstanding and a couple of drivers gained 2006 titles.

In Tom Karrick Modified Memorial feature, it came down to two drivers, Danny Charles and Tim Karrick. Karrick is a three time winner of this event and looked to be on his way to number 4 Friday night.

Mark Schafman went to the early lead and held onto it for a little while. Tim Powell would eventually take the lead on a restart and he looked as is he might go on to win the big dollars. Sometimes you have good luck, and sometimes you don't. Tim Powell didn't have good luck.

As Powell was leading, his car was planning to give up. Coming down the front straight Powell's motor didn't sound good and he fell off the pace rapidly. Second place, Tim Karrick found the point to his liking.

Karrick went to work on extending the lead while Danny Charles went to clipping off competitors one by one. As the laps began to tick off, Charles seemed to be gaining on Karrick every lap. Each lap Charles would gain more ground. Then came the 2nd to last lap.

At the flag stand on lap 23 Charles had inched out Karrick. Heading into turn one, Charles executed a perfect corner entry. The move caused Karrick to give up his momentum and put Charles into the lead driving into the last lap. Charles would hold on to gain the victory. His 2nd win on the season. In doing so, Charles proved himself as being a force to be reckoned with as a modified driver. It seems the more confidence this young driver gets the better he is becoming.

"I knew if I was in striking distance going into 3, I could do it," said a happy Danny Charles, "I felt that I had the fastest car out there."

Not only did Charles win the Tom Karrick Memorial, but he did it on a night when Allstate donated a $50,000 grant to the Kansas School for the Deaf. It was significant to Charles for he is familiar with the hearing impaired. Several fans helped provide Charles with some extra motivation.

"I really wanted to show them (Allstate) that I appreciate all that they do, for them to pick this, it hits close to home," said Charles.

Tim Karrick didn't win the race, he did win the 2006 Modified Points Championship. Karrick came into the race with a 50 point advantage over 2nd place, Kerry Davis. While Karrick finished 2nd, Davis finished 12th. This now gives Karrick a 70 point cushion going into the final night. The maximum a driver can receive in points is 50 in one event. Therefore Karrick cannot be denied. The goal for Karrick now is to win the Dodge NASCAR Weekly Series Regional/National Championship. Another strong finish could help him accomplish all of his goals.

Tom Charles, Danny's father, came home in 3rd place. This gives Eagle racing 2 of the top 3 spots in the A main. Terry Beckham might have had the ride of the night. Beckham missed the setup in the heat race and went to his pit to make wholesale changes. The changes worked Beckham would win the B Feature and worked his way up to 4th in the A main after starting towards the back. Rounding out the top 5 was Mark Schafman.

Bonus night for the Grand Nationals happened just a few weeks back. On that night Keith Cobb Jr. finished in the top spot. Could he do it again in the tough field of Grand Nationals? After Friday night that answer would be yes.

Cobb started from the pole position and would lead every lap on his way to the Grand National win. Cobb raced his way to the front and would hold off a hard charge from Cody Owens to win his 2nd race of the season.

Just a few weeks ago as someone celebrated the win, Cody Owens sat in his car visibly upset. He had his best run of the season, but he took an extra lap after the race which gave him a penalty that put him at the back of the lead lap cars. A mistake yes, but as everyone noticed in the race, the kid is good. A second place finish on Friday night proved that he is ready to get a win.

Gene Claxton finished in 3rd position. Claxton also has secured another Grand National Championship at Lakeside Speedway. Jimmy Winkler and Nic Bidinger finished out the top 5 in the Grand National division.

The Factory Stock feature rolled on to the speedway first and it looked to be another great event. Jamie Custer grabbed the early lead from the pole position and looked to be in contention for the win. That was until a right rear flat would take him out of the race. A tough break for any competitor.

Points leader in the Factory Stock division, Lynn Nelson took over the lead form Custer and powered his way to victory. Once at the top spot, Nelson stretched out the lead on the way to another victory.

The only championship not decided at Lakeside Speedway is the Factory Stock division. Nelson leads Buzz Kaster by 44 points after Friday night. Kaster has to finish 46 points ahead of Nelson to win the title. Kaster would have to win the feature and Nelson just has to finish 22nd or better to win his 1st Factory Stock title.

Jay Kelly preformed well on the night with a 2nd place finish, Buzz Kaster continued his strong 2006 season with a 3rd place finish, coming home in the 4th spot was Will Whisler and rounding out the top 5 was David Holcomb.

Top 10 Feature Results

Factory Stock.... 1. Lynn Nelson Sr. 2. Jay Kelly 3. Buzz Kaster 4. Will Whisler 5. David Holcomb 6. Tim Shields 7. Rusty Trimble 8. Jake Newman 9. Vic Tranckino 10. Daryl Deckard

Grand National... 1. Keith Cobb Jr. 2. Cody Owens 3. Gene Claxton 4. Jimmy Winkler 5. Nic Bidinger 6. Marshall Jewett 7. Tim Billings 8. Joey Selbach 9. Chad Clancy 10. Jim Baker

Modified... 1. Danny Charles 2. Tim Karrick 3. Tom Charles 4. Terry Beckham 5. Mark Schafman 6. John Allen 7. John ONeal Jr. 8. Justin Boney 9. Scott Crystal 10. Gene Claxton