|
|
|
Mother Nature may have won the North Counties Development 75 laps Feature Event at Shasta Raceway Park; this was to be our second appearance of 2010. It did not stop the AABLM drivers, crews and families from enjoying the weekend. Some of the racers hung out at the Gaia Hotel Restaurant & Spa playing in the rain and making plans to visit Redding for some indoor kart racing. Other racers headed to Ukiah Speedway to get their speed fix in. Junior Roddy, attempting to make his first appearance for 2010, was able to get some practice laps at Ukiah Speedway, thanks to Blair Aiken. Jeremy Doss, who usually spots for his dad, (Mike Doss) with the AABLM got to race his Legends car with INEX Legends at Ukiah Speedway. Congratulations Jeremy, you drove an awesome race. Jeremy was asked if he would rather race or spot, he said “As long as I am at the track, it’s all good.” AABLM Intern Caity Miller hustled the truck and trailer from Shasta to Ukiah, hoping to get some hot laps in before qualifying in her bomber. Corey James and crew could be seen around the Ukiah pits helping out fellow racers. You would have thought that the AABLMs were racing, with all the AABLM shirts racers and crews were sporting. Way to represent guys! The AABLM’ers were greeted with a warm welcome at the back gate from Glenda Gilmer and staff, they were surprised and happy that we would make the trip back from Shasta. Special thanks go out to the Gaia Hotel team for being understanding and rebooking all the reservations for the next race at Shasta Raceway Park at the last minute, thank you again.
The top 4 drivers all have a chance to clinch the championship:
| • | Corey James, he has to get max points with Mike Lovell finishing 6th and Mike Doss finishing 19th in the feature. |
| • | Kevin Ostern needs to collect max points and Lovell finishes 4th and Doss 15th in the feature. |
| • | Mike Lovell has the best chance to take over the top spot by collecting max points and Doss finishes 8th. |
| • | Doss already occupies the top spot and he only needs to finish 4th or better in the feature. |
By collecting max points, they need to have fast time, win and gain the most position in the feature giving a total of 117 points. That’s not out of reach, since all the top 4 drivers have had fast time, won a feature, and collect bonus points for the most gain in the feature.
The last point’s race for the season is at Ukiah Speedway on September 11, 2010. Please plan to attend the Patriot Day Celebration and crowning the champion, this is a must attend event. Wear and display our Countries colors, in remembrance of the heroes of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Also at Ukiah Speedway will be the Northern California Pro-4 Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bomber Bash a 50 lap main, Bonus Bombers, Slider Race and the popular Boat Races. Events start @ 5:00pm so it will be a must see Saturday at Ukiah Speedway. For more information about Ukiah Speedway visit www.ukiahspeedway.com
See you at the track
Bob Cook
Today’s AABLM Event at Shasta has been canceled to due to rain.
After a long summer day, the sun went down over the Ukiah valley and the AABLM drivers jumped into their Late Models, lining up for another exciting Saturday night of racing in the “Forrest North River Guides 75 laps Feature Event”. After the dust finally settled it was Corey James to get his second win with the AABLM.
The drivers and crew put their best effort into setting fast time. Mike Lovell set a new track record yet again at Ukiah Speedway, and qualified the fastest with his time of 12.329 receiving the fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs. 
Kevin Ostern followed with 12.420, Mike Doss 12.478, Corey James 12.489, and Clay Caturegli with a 12.608 rounding out the top 5.
Joe Aiken won the B dash over Dallas Shane, Myles Anderson, Allen Gibney and Mike Bourbon. Corey James won the A Dash, followed by Mike Lovell, Mike Doss, Jeremy Donahoo, Kevin Ostern and Clay Caturegli.
Airport Auto Brokers Late Models returned to Ukiah Speedway for the “Forrest North River Guides 75 laps Feature Event”. Jim Stillman Jr had the pole and Dallas Shane on his outside. Stillman got the jump on the start and led the next 53 laps, Stillman at times had a few car lengths lead on the pack, there were a few cautions, first one was for Berndt Akerstrom and Mike Bourbon on lap 2, second caution came out on lap 10 for Joe Aiken’s spin in turn 2. Clay Caturegli spun on lap 19 bringing out the 
third caution while trying to get turned around, he and Bourbon collided, ending their night. Stillman developed problems, sliding back quickly by lap 56. He retired to the pits with mechanical issues. James claimed the chekers followed by Doss, Lovell, Shane, and Ostern. With only 2 points races left, Doss is still ahead of Lovell by 41 markers, Lovell got a small gain by qualifying the fastest; but was not able to make any gains in the feature and he finished right behind Doss.
Airport Auto Brokers Late Models are at Shasta Raceway Park August 28, making our second appearance of 2010. Also competing will be the Taylor Motor’s Modifieds, Napa Mini Stocks, I-5 Tire Factory Hornets Division, and the first ever SRP Bus/Boat Race. Pit gate opens at 1 pm, practice at 2:30 pm. Grandstand opens at 5 pm, qualifying at 5:30 pm, racing at 6:30 pm
Our last point’s race for the season is at Ukiah Speedway on September 11, 2010. Please plan to attend the Patriot Day Celebration and crowning the champion, this is a must attend event. Wear and display our countries colors, in remembrance of the heroes of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Our prayers go out to the families of the 2,993 Americans killed in the horrifying attack on America.
See You at the Track
Bob Cook
The Final 2010 AABLM race at Lakeport Speedway went as smoothly as any race we’ve had, with only a few cautions and 11 of the 12 qualifying cars finishing the race. Kevin Ostern (#39) family hosted a tri tip BBQ for the drivers and crew, we appreciate you Earlene, Cheryl and Leanne. You could tell that the AABLM were in town, everywhere you looked you could see the retro AABLM shirts and 
even some of last years shirts were seen. The season is winding down and the talk is who is going to make the top 15 for the 2011 season shirts. Mike Bourbon returned after a hiatus in the Black #4, he was welcomed back by both the competitors and staff. Berndt Akerstrom, sporting the blue #37 also returned to Lakeport Speedway for the first time this year. This is why the AABLM is a fun class to race in, the drivers can have time with their family and race at different the facilities.
The fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Corey James, who qualified first quick with an 11.981. Next was Mike Lovell, who brought an 11.998. Mike Doss with a 12.006, 
Kevin Ostern with 12.081 and Jeremy Hopkins rounded out the top five with 12.115.
Clay Caturegli won the B dash over Berndt Akerstrom, Dallas Shane, and Mike Bourbon. Mike Lovell won the A Dash, followed by Corey James, Mike Doss, Eric Graham, Jeremy Hopkins and Kevin Ostern
Airport Auto Brokers Late Models return to Lakeport Speedway for the “Treasure Cove Pizza 75 laps Feature Event”. Akerstrom had the pole and Jim Stillman Jr. on his outside. Stillman got the jump on the start and led the first 4 laps. On lap 5, we saw Hopkins take the lead over from Stillman. The first 
yellow was for Graham, who spun in turn one, at the start finish line racing to the yellow. Lovell was able to pass Doss for second. On the restart, Hopkins led the field to the green followed by Lovell, Doss, Ostern and Stillman Hopkins and Lovell were battling for the lead, when on lap 26 they both spun in turn 3, Ostern inherited the lead after Doss checked up for Hopkins and Lovell. It was Déjà vu again on lap 37, Hopkins and 
Lovell spun again, but it in turn 4. Speaking of Déjà vu, last year this time is where the big rivalry started between Hopkins and 
Lovell, and it been fun for all us including Hopkins and Lovell. It looked like AABLM’s version of NASCAR’s Kurt Busch & Tony Stewart rivalry, but a lot friendlier. Ostern led the field to the green, followed by Doss, James, Stillman and Akerstrom rounding out the top 5. Doss took over the lead on lap 41 and led the next 34 laps while Lovell moved quickly through the field on a mission. By lap 69, Lovell passed 
Ostern for 2nd and was gaining on Doss, but ran out of time. Doss took his 3rd win of the season, Lovell finished 2nd, followed by Ostern, James and Hopkins.
Our next race is at Ukiah Speedway featuring Rental Solutions Modifieds, Bud Bombers Street Stocks and of course the Airport auto Brokers Late Models. It is also Fan Appreciation Night
On a side note, a year ago intern Caity jumped into her first race car after spending the season watching the AABLM action got her first taste of a circle track and drove in the Jammer division. What a difference a year makes; she just won her 6th feature event in the Jammer and now races a bomber. Caity would like to say thanks to all the AABLM drivers and crew for their help and encouragement.
See You at the Track
Bob Cook
We were all glad to see each other and catch up after 5 weeks off. It was a typical Eureka summer day, with afternoon sunshine and fog again by dark, most of us were happy to cool off. 18 late models made the trip over the hill for 
8th race in our 2010 season. You could really tell the AABLM drivers were glad to get back at it, there was never a dull moment in the pits with all camaraderie between the teams.
The fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Jeremy Hopkins, who qualified first quick with a 15.739. Next was Randy Houston, who brought a 15.781. Alan Cress with a 15.846, Mike Doss with 15.908 and Eric Graham rounded out the top five with 15.918.
Rookie driver Dallas Shane won the B dash over Allen Gibney, Larry Pries, Joe McDonald, Berndt Akerstrom and Kevin Estep. Hopkins won the A Dash, followed by Eric Graham, Dave Miller, Houston, and Cress
After a 5 week break for our late models, we knew the feature race was going to be an exciting “Affordable Auto Body 75 laps Feature Event”. Joining the AABLM regulars were a few of Redwood Acres Raceway’s own. Joe McDonald, Larry Pries and Jimmy Walker. Also joining us was Howard Ford, Randy Huston, 
Dave Miller and Alan Cress. Kevin Ostern had the pole and Cory James on his outside, Ostern got the jump on the start and led wire to wire. On lap 2 we saw the 1st caution for Hopkins and Cress. Fast qualifier Hopkins went to the pits for repairs as his luck ran out for the evening, Hopkins was able to return but his car was not the same and he finished 11th. The next two cautions were for Gibney on laps 12 and 20. On the lap 20 restart, Ostern led the field and started putting car lengths between him and James for the next 39 green flag laps. On lap 59 Jimmy Walker, Redwood Acres Raceway’s most all time favorite driver, slammed into the front straight wall bringing out the 
final caution and grouping up the field. Point leader Mike Doss checked up for the safety crew, but the car behind him did not, jacking the rear of his car and tearing up the rear suspension ending his night early. This cut his point lead in half; he’s only 29 markers away from 2nd overall. AABLM was able to get all 75 laps in under curfew with 1 minute to spare. Ostern took the checker flag with James finishing second, Mike Lovell finished 3rd, Ford finished 4th, and Huston brought in 5th. Once again, a big thank you to Redwood Acres Raceway for hosting us; we all felt welcomed.
See You at the Track
Bob Cook
