AABLM fans, drivers and crew came to Shasta Raceway Park with high expectations. With great weather, a good track and much appreciated hospitality, no one was disappointed. We had eighteen late models make the trip to the first of 2 AABLM races scheduled here for 2010. Randy Houston, driving at his home track, had the home track advantage over the AABLM regulars and swept all events, having fast time, winning the “A” dash and the feature event. It did not take long for the AABLM’ers to learn the track’s unique turns and by the end of the race, Doss and Lovell were moving to the front quickly.

The fast time plaque, sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Randy Houston, who qualified first quick with a 15.826. Next was Eric Gannon, who brought a 16.087. Mike Doss with a 16.127, Dave Miller with a 16.128 and Mike Lovell rounded out the top five with 16.153.

Houston won the A dash; followed by Doss, Gannon, Miller, Lovell and Kevin Ostern. Kevin Estep won the B dash; followed by Jeremy Donahoo, Dallas Shane, Brandon Szymczak, Jim Stillman and Clay Caturegli.

As the sun went down, the AABLM drivers jumped into their Late Models for the “All in one Stop 75 lap Feature Event.” With a 10 invert, Ken Gifford had the pole and last year’s winner, Eric Graham was on his outside. Graham got the jump on the start and it looked like it was going to be a repeat as Graham pulls ahead to a big lead. After the caution on lap 7 for lucky #7 Dallas Shane, Graham’s lead disappeared as Corey James was hot on his tail. Fast moving Houston was into the second spot by lap 13 and 3 laps later, took the lead over from Graham. Graham had mechanical issues on lap 22 and had to pit for repairs, ending his chance for a repeat of last year’s win. Rookie driver Shane brought out a few more yellow’s for solo spins while attempting to learn the track; by the end of the race we saw much improvement from him by staying on the lead lap. By lap 44 Lovell had moved in to second place, Doss was in third, followed by Corey, Miller and Gannon. On lap 50, Doss took second from Lovell and started making some gain on Houston. Miller and Gannon passed Corey for fourth and fifth. The final caution was on lap 71 for Estep and Gifford in turn two, giving us a four lap, green-green-white- checker. Houston took the checker with Doss and Lovell on his bumper, followed by Gannon and Shasta Raceway’s own David Braund in the # 88 I-5 Tire sponsored car finishing fifth. The AABLM is off for a much needed two week break.

Next race is Saturday June 26, 2010 at Ukiah Speedway for the second of four races scheduled for 2010. Ukiah Speedway will have a full night of entertainment featuring the Nor-Cal Pro 4 Modifieds, Legends, Modifieds, Street Stock, and AABLM.

See You at the Track
Bob Cook

A parade down Main Street in Lakeport Ca. kicked off the Memorial weekend for Lakeport Speedway and the AABLM. The Memorial Day point’s race had a lot to do with strategy and timing. The strategy before hand set up Mike Doss, Kevin Ostern, and Forrest Kuecker to increase their qualifying time, making them the top 3 qualifiers. The timing was either good, or not. Corey James and Kuecker were in the wrong spot at the wrong time and Eric Graham and Doss took advantage of timing to win.

The fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Doss who qualified first quick with an 11.890 (strategy). Next was Ostern, who brought an 11.939. Kuecker with 11.996, Graham with 12.023, Mike Lovell rounded out the top five with 12.033.

Now we know why they call it the fast dash. Kuecker and Lovell ran side by side at a very hard pace until the last lap when they tangled, James and Doss ran into the infield to avoid the collision, giving the victory to Graham. Graham won the trophy dash (timing), followed by Ostern, Kuecker, Corey James, Doss and Lovell

Every one was ready for another exciting “Marina Grill 75 laps Feature Event”. Joining the AABLM regulars were Sean Sweeney, driving David Furia’s #93, and Brandon Szymczak driving the #55x. Also back after a 2 race break was Myles Anderson of Anderson Logging. Before the evening started; we had 2 late models drop out due to mechanical issues; Clay Caturegli and Dallas Shane. Shane jumped into the #55x for the main, starting in the rear of the field. Allen Gibney had the pole and Kevin Estep was on his outside, Estep got the jump on the start and led the next 18 laps. The first of 3 cautions came out on lap 1 for Graham, Corey and Kuecker (wrong spot at the wrong time) The Forrest’s North River Guides #79 and Corey James #34 retired to the pits for the evening. On lap 15 Doss was already in second putting pressure on Estep, 4 laps later Doss took the lead. The second caution came out after a long green flag run on lap 42 for Shane, who spun in turn 1, and the final yellow came 10 laps later on lap 52 in turn 2, for Ostern’s solo spin. Doss took the checker flag, leading 56 of the 75 lap event. Graham finished 2nd, chasing Doss from lap 30, not making it an easy win for Doss. Lovell finished 3rd, Jim Stillman finished 4th, and Ostern pulled up 5th after his solo spin. Doss said that his crew is a big part of this win, with all the strategy and preparation that goes on at the race shop before hand. He also said his spotter Jeremy Doss was on his A game, letting him know when he could save his tires and when he needed to get up on the wheel and drive hard.

See You at the Track
Bob Cook

We had eighteen late models make the trip through rain and snow, hoping it would clear in time for practice. When clouds gave way to blue skies late morning, the trailers were busted open and late models rolled out. After one more short rain delay, it was clear racing. It was a very impressive sight seeing all the Airport Auto Brokers Late Models lined up in pit row and all the teams should be proud for making AABLM Northern California’s premier touring late model series.

The fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Randy Huston who qualified first quick with a 15.690. Next was Mike Doss, who brought a 15.843. Mike Lovell with a 15.947, Dave Miller with 16.003, Kevin Ostern rounded out the top five with 16.016.

Mike Doss, AABLM’s promoter, lined up the cars for both 6 lap trophy dashes by having them draw a card for position. For the A Dash, Huston drew first, and pulled the Ace, putting him on the pole. Doss pulled a 6, Lovell pulled the 3, Miller a 4, Ostern a 5. That left the outside pole to Corey James, Huston won the dash. Following him was James, Lovell, Miller, Doss and Ostern.

Jeremy Donahoo of Cloverdale won the B dash. Following was Allen Gibney, Dallas Shane, Eureka’s regular Brandon Barnwell #56 and Mike Bourbon.

After a long day with rain and a full field of late models, we knew the feature race was going to be an exciting “Scottfeild Executive Hotels 75 laps Feature Event”. Joining the AABLM regulars, were a few of Redwood Acres Raceway’s own. Joe McDonald, Brandon Barnwell and Jerry Peterson were driving double duty in the sportsman’s class. Clay Caturegli had the pole and Jim Stillman was on his outside, Caturegli got the jump on the start and led the next 16 laps. Stillman was leading, when the first of 3 cautions came out on lap 20 for Donahoo hitting the water barrels at the exit gate, giving the spotters in turn 2 an unexpected shower. The Donahoo Excavating #05 retired to the pits for the evening. On the restart, Stillman led the field with hard charging Miller on his tail, following by James, Lovell, Ostern and Caturegli rounding out the top 5. The second caution on lap 47 for Caturegli who spun in turn 4, and the final yellow 3 laps later on lap 50 was in turn 2 for Gibney and Shane. With the weather putting the whole night behind schedule and 25 laps to go, we hear over the official’s radio we had 20 minutes until curfew. Johnny Miskill, the AABLM flagman, came back over the radio to assure everyone we would make it, the drivers were doing an excellent job and that should be our last caution. AABLM was able to get all 75 laps in under curfew. Miller took the checker flag and is another first time winner for AABLM. James, our last race’s winner, finished second, holding onto the points lead. Stillman finished 3rd, Lovell finished 4th, and Doss finished 5th after almost going a lap down from the lap 1 incident. A big thank you to Redwood Acres Raceway for hosting us; we all felt welcomed.

See You at the Track
Bob Cook

It was a rare night in Lakeport as the community came together for Makenna Rose Enger and the Make A Wish Foundation. Makenna was beautiful in her red ball gown and gave a heart rendering rendition of Star Spangled Banner. She sang to a packed house as the stands and infield were full of her fans, who were all a part of making her wish come true. She made every one of us proud to be an American and it was an honor to hear her. She in turn was honored with several gifts from her admirers and well wishers; The Airport Auto Brokers Late models were lined up on the front stretch when Bill and Bev Mcvey gave Makenna a spring bouquet of flowers. Nolan Forsythe, representing the jammer division, presented her with a checkered flag signed by all the drivers. David Furia, Lakeport Speedway promoter, presented an honorary Speedway officials shirt and Mike Doss, representing the late model division, gave a stuffed bear sporting the AABLM logo. Our songstress was then put into the pace car and gave the order, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” Makenna took her parade lap and was cheered off the track.

The Airport Auto Brokers Late models rolled back into town; you would think the circus was here with all colorful cars, the talented drivers and the crews sporting their new AABLM shirts. AABLM is one of the elite Late Model series in California and is based in Lake County, originating at Lakeport Speedway. The series is sponsored by Lake County’s own Airport Auto Broker and many other local Businesses. Our drivers originate from all over Northern Ca. We should all be proud of all the AABLM drivers, crew, staff and fans, for making this an awesome series to watch and participate in.

The fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Mike Doss for qualifying the quickest with an 11.816, followed by Kevin Ostern, 2009 Champion with 11.924, Mike Lovell 11.927, Noel McCormack Jr, 2008 Champion with 11.946 and Jeremy Hopkins rounding out the top 5 with an 11.964.

Rookie driver Dallas Shane won the B dash over Kevin Estep, Mike Bourbon, Clay Caturegli, Allen Gibney and Jim Stillman. McCormack won his first trophy dash with the AABLM, followed by Doss, Hopkins, Corey James, Lovell and Ostern, who finished 6th after hitting the wall hard on the last lap due to mechanical failure. Ostern was done for the evening, making this only his second time out of the top 10 in his AABLM racing career.

When we heard “Gentlemen start your engines” we knew the Gifford’s Backhoe 75 lap feature late model race was going to be exciting. With a 10 invert, Dallas had the pole and Jim Stillman was on his outside. The first caution on lap 5 was for Hopkins’ spin turn in 2 and another 3 laps later for Kevin Estep and Doss in turn 4. Doss hit the turn 4 wall hard, and watched the rest of the race from the infield. With a long green flag run, Corey James made his way to the front and was able to put a few lappers behind him when the 3rd and final caution came out for Eric Graham’s spin in turn 4. The field bunched up again and James had to hold off hard charging Hopkins and Forrest Kuecker for the next 20 laps. James took the checker over Hopkins, Kuecker, Lovell, McCormack and Ken Gifford rounding out the top 5. After the race, James could be seen with his crew in their new bright orange uniform shirts smiling ear to ear. Good job Corey and the #34 team.

Next race is Saturday May 22, 2010 at Redwood Acres Raceway with a full night of entertainment featuring the Real Stock, Mini Stock, Roadrunners, Thunder Roadsters and AABLM. This is the 1st of 2 scheduled stops for us at the Redwood Acres Raceway.

AABLM driver, crew, Staff and Fans would like to thank Makenna Rose Enger and her family for making a good night of racing into a wonderful night for all.

See You at the Track
Bob Cook

It was a beautiful day in the Ukiah valley, a reminder of why we live and race in Northern Calif. The pit row was full of Airport Auto Brokers Late Models; it was a sight to behold. There were 21 in all for the Anderson Logging sponsored event; it was one of the biggest turnouts we have seen so far. With all 21 qualifying, a B main was called for, as 18 is a full field for this track.

The fast time plaque sponsored by Speedy Signs went to Trevor Cristiani who qualified first quick with a 12.574, less than 1/10th of a second from last years record for this track. Next was Mike Lovell, who brought a 12.585. Mike Doss with a 12.675, Eric Graham with 12.686, and Hopland’s Dallas Shane rounded out the top five with 12.727.

Eric Gannon of Redding won the B dash in his yellow # 2. Following Gannon were #28 Miles Anderson, #98 Joe Aiken, #24 Trent Campbell #84 Rod Skidmore and #47 Mike Bourbon.

The pit side stands were full of crew and families as they watched last years top rivals, Jeremy Hopkins and Mike Lovell, on the front row competing side by side for the fast dash trophy. #15j Hopkins took the honor this time, followed by #15 Lovell, #35 Doss, # 90 Christiani, # 7 Shane and #57 Graham.

Seven cars lined up for the B main, and only four were going to transfer. Kevin Estep took the win over Gannon, Followed by Aikens and Bourbon, who all transferred to the feature event.

With a full field, we knew the feature race was going to be exciting. There was still some oil on the track from an earlier incident, which only added to the drama as the race unfolded. With a 12 invert, Ken Gifford had the pole and Cory James was on his outside. There was a yellow thrown on lap 1, where Clay Caturegli and Gifford tangled in turn 4, collecting Lovell, Gannon and Graham who were unable to restart the event. The second yellow came out on lap 11 for rookie driver Dallas Shane’s solo spin in turn 2, which gave Jim Stillman the chance to pit and change a tire without losing a lap. The 3rd caution came out in lap 22 for a turn 2 tangle with Aikens and Caturegli. James and Hopkins, who were putting pressure on the leader Ostern after a long green flag run, ran out of time as the race was shortened to 50 laps. Ostern took the win, followed by James, Hopkins, Doss, Estep and Forrest Kuecker rounding out the top six.

See You at the Track
Bob Cook