Kevin Ostern wins two in a row
After a weekend off, AABLM returns to Lakeport Speedway. Kevin Ostern was still walking tall from his previous win, backed it up with his 2nd, making it two in a row. This shows us that the 1st was not a fluke.
A Beautiful day at the lake greeted race fans and competitors to Lakeport Speedway. A total of 17 late models were in attendance for the 3rd event for the Airport Auto Broker / North County Development late models. Qualifying is getting tighter, 13 out of 17 late models qualified within a ½ second of each other. Eric Graham set a new track record and fast time of 11.767, Mike Lovell was 2nd quick with an 11.854 followed by Forrest Kuecker 11.879, Kevin Ostern 11.884, Kevin Estep 11.889.
Once again the Airport Auto Broker / North County Development late models had a slow and fast dash. Mike Doss lined them up with his unique way of drawing a card for position. Ken Gifford won the slow dash, runner up was Berndt Akerstrom, Mike Bourbon, Jerry Wilkins, Myles Anderson and Allen Gibney. Estep won the fast dash making this two in the row for him in dash wins. Kuecker was 2nd, Ostern, Doss and Graham followed.
The full field of 17 late models lined up with the front row being déjà vu for Ken Gifford and Corey James on the front row, but this time Gifford got the jump on the start. By lap 20 with over a ½ a lap lead over the field, Gifford started getting into lap traffic. The 1st of 2 cautions came out on lap 23 for Kuecker spinning in some liquid laid down by Wilkins. Wilkins went to the pits and did not return. Kuecker restarted in the rear of the pack. Right before the caution, Gifford had lapped James’ #34 late model. , On the single file restart, Gifford had a lapped late model between him and Ostern. Gifford got a good start, and it did not take long to get a few car lengths on Ostern and it looked like he was going to be the late model to beat. On lap 44 Gifford was attempting to lap Anderson, when Anderson unaware of Gifford
on his inside, and they both collided causing Anderson to spin and bring out the last caution. Anderson and Gifford had to restart in the rear of the field, which gives Ostern the lead followed by Lovell, Jeremy Hopkins, Jim Stillman and Doss. By lap 60, Ostern was starting to get into lapped traffic and Hopkins and Stillman were putting pressure on Lovell. By lap 65 Hopkins took over 2nd followed by Stillman, Doss and Lovell in 5th and that’s how they finished. A quote from Ostern, “Gifford had the car to beat and if was a shame he tangled with lap traffic and had to restart at the back of the field.”
See you at the track Bob Cook
On a sad note, we lost a good friend, fan and sponsor of racing for Northern California late Wednesday. Bob Scatena (the Mac Tool Dealer for Lake County). Bob was a big supporter of Lakeport Speedway and AABLM, I read a quote on racingwest.com, “Bob was one of the highest rated Mac Tools distributors back in the 90’s (he may still have been). He would drive the Northern California sales manager crazy with his funky old truck and unwillingness to change the decals, get it painted, or make it flashy” ” Bob was one of those characters we need more of in this day and age”
Memorial services will be held @ 4pm on Tuesday the 28th @ Chapel of the Lakes in Lakeport. Following the services will be a get together at the fairgrounds in Lakeport for all who want to come
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family; Bob will be missed by family, friends and customers.
AABLM has had 2 weeks to cool their tires.
At our last event, Airport Auto Brokers Late Models drivers were busy setting and breaking record times. Don’t miss this Saturday night; we’re expecting a full turnout for side by side action.
Points leader Forrest Kuecker will be looking to claim his first win. Kevin Ostern will be looking for another trophy. Jeremy Hopkins will be defending his record fast time. Our 2 lap leaders, Corey James and Jim Stillman, have had 2 weeks to tune their cars and are looking to lead the final laps this time.
Back To Value @ Lakeport Speedway
Family Pass: 28.00
Coke & Hot Dog: 5.00
AABLM T Shirt: 15.00
Unforgettable Evening With Your Family: Priceless
Also @ Lakeport Speedway- They are debuting their new “jammer” class- come see what it’s all about.
Hey! High School students! This Saturday night is high school appreciation night @ Lakeport Speedway. Show your student I.D. and get in free.
See you at the track, Bob
Kevin Ostern, after finishing 2nd three times last year, wins at Lakeport Speedway Saturday night.
20 cars qualified for the second point’s race of the Tour 2009. The track was fast due to David Furia’s and Danny McIntier’s excellently prepared track. The Lakeport Speedway’s track record tumbled 9 times, with AABLM’s own Jeremy Hopkins finally setting the new fast time of 11.781. Eric Graham qualified 2nd with an 11.811. Following was Kevin Ostern with 11.859, Forest Kuecker with 11.879 and Rounding out the top 5 was Blair Aiken’s 11.894.
Lakeport Speedway held a best appearing Late Model contest, and Berndt Akerstrom won bragging rights with his bright pink # 37.
Joe Aiken won the 6 lap slow dash from the pole, Allen Gibney 2nd, Akerstrom 3rd, Mike Bourbon 4th, Miles Anderson 5th and Jerry Wilkens, who broke on the last lap, finished 6th. Wilkins was done for the night, leaving an oil slick that would affect the track for the rest of the evening.
Kevin Estep won the 6 car, 6 lap fast dash, also from the pole position. All the drivers stayed nose to tail and finished in starting order; with Kuecker in 2nd, followed by Graham, Mike Lovell, Hopkins and Ostern in 6th.
With 20 cars qualifying, a B main was almost assured. Lakeport promoter David Furia scratched and gave up his spot as he already had his hands full with opening night. Mike Doss also gave up his position so that all the Late Models would have an opportunity to run in the A main. These two gentlemen will be back in their late models again soon.
The full field of 18 late models started with last weeks fast time setter Ken Gifford on the pole and Corey James on his outside. James got the jump on Gifford at the start, and led the first 20 laps. We saw the first of 4 cautions on lap 5, ending the evening for the father and son team, 
Blair in late model #17 and Joe in truck #98. Miles Anderson was also finished for the night and Kuecker was sent to the back for being involved. Jim Stillman was making the outside groove work; and on lap 20, he took the lead from James. Stillman would lead for the next 17 laps. The 2nd caution was for Mike Lovell, who broke on lap 28. Hopkins, seeing the outside groove work for Stillman, started moving up and making it work for him. By lap 38, Stillman was doing whatever he could to hold the lead. Hopkins made his move on the high groove and took the lead for the next 6 laps. With Hopkins and Stillman running side by side for a few laps, Ostern was on Hopkins tail waiting to make his move. On lap 44, Ostern took the lead. A solo spin by Akerstrom brought out the 3rd caution on lap 45. The 4th and last caution came out for Gifford in another solo spin on lap 56, turn 4. At that time it was decided to only run 60 laps due to time restrictions. On the restart, Ostern got a good start and kept his lead for the next 4 laps and taking his first AABLM checkered flag.
Kevin Ostern wins with Hopkins finishing 2nd; followed by Stillman and Kuecker. Kuecker is now point’s leader due to consistent, quality racing.
See you at the track, Bob Cook
Kevin ‘Git-r-done’ Estep Wins Ukiah Speedway Opener
The first event of the year brought 21 late models from as far away as Carson City NV, Piercy and Gualala CA and from Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. This was the largest car count ever under the directorship of Mike Doss, all 21 cars qualified.
New comer Ken Gifford took fast time with 12.509. Following was Junior Roddy, with a 12.565. Blair Aiken was third fast with 12.586, 4th was Chris Straka, and rounding up the top 5 was Forrest Kuecker.
Mike Doss lined up the top 6 late models for a 6 lap dash by having them draw a card for their position. “Lucky” Mike Lovell pulled the ace card to put him on top of the pile, Blair dropped out of the dash, so that put Eric Williamson into the draw where he pulled the deuce for the outside pole. Gifford pulled the 3 card, Kuecker a 4 and Junior Roddy a 5, that left the final spot to Straka.
Lovell won the dash from the pole. Kuecker was the only late model using the outside groove; it didn’t look like this was going to work, dropping him all the way to the back. By lap 3 he was passing everyone, taking second on the last lap by a few inches.
The late models qualifying 16th through 21st ran a B dash, Mike Bourbon pulled the ace this time, but he broke and didn’t have a chance to run. This moved Myles Anderson to the pole. Berndt Akerstrom scored the outside position. On the start, Akerstrom took the lead and never looked back. He easily won the 6 lap event. Jim Stillman, Myles Anderson, Allen Gibney and Cameron Milard followed in that order.
We started the night with a B main, also a first for the new AABLM. The top12 qualifiers and 2 provisional’s went to the A main. David Furia and Jim Stillman Jr accepted the provisional spots. That left 7 late models lining up by time for the B main event. This put Joe Aiken on the pole and Jerry Wilkens on his outside. The only yellow came out for Cameron Milard, who went off in turn 3 and was unable to return. Joe Aiken won the 25 lap B main followed by Gibney, Wilkens, Akerstrom, Anderson and Milard.
The 10 ball was pulled signaling a 10 car invert for the main event. That put Clay Caturegli on the pole with Estep on the outside. The AABLM 75 lap Pacific Auto Body main event started with a full field of 18 cars. On the start Estep took the lead with Caturegli tucked right behind him, where they would both run tail to nose for the next 23 laps. The first yellow came out for Furia, getting loose in turn 4. The second yellow was for Wilkens, Williamson and Roddy. The 3rd caution was put out again for Roddy, also sending Stillman to the pits. Williamson dropped out in lap 20, due to the mishap on lap 7’s caution.
By lap 23, with time running out, Ostern started challenging Caturegli for 2nd. Ostern got up to his door to make his move. Catureglli, not realizing Ostern was on him so quick, started moving down and they both spun, bringing out the 4th caution. This sent 2 very fast late models to the back. The restart brought the 5th and final yellow out when Snider and Straka tangled in turn 4. When we finally got restarted, it was already past 11pm curfew. It was decided by Ukiah and AABLM officials that the next yellow, or 30 laps, they would throw the checker. #30 laps came first, giving the win to Estep, who led every lap. Lovell , Blair Aiken, Kuecker, Corey James, Gibney, Akerstrom, Gifford, Caturegli and Ostern rounded out the top 10.
Next race April 11, 2009 at Lakeport Speedway for AABLM homecoming.
See you at the track.
Bob Cook
Top 5 Reasons To Go To Lakeport Speedway
5. The drive in doesn’t open for a few more weeks
4. See if Kevin “get ‘er done” Estep can repeat
3. Watch the roots of racing, with the Nostalgic Race Cars
2. Cheer on the AABLM, Nor Cal’s premier touring late models
1. The only place to get a doughboy (hey, we need these in the pits)
We will have t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, and hats available for sale this Saturday; All having the custom AABLM logo. Our new apparel comes in sizes from child to XXXL. Find us at the official AABLM Toterhome. We look forward to seeing all of you.
