No surprise here, Tom Caturegli always brings a fast competitive late model to the track and the Caturegli family is known to have some of the best drivers around. This time was no different. Clay Caturegli, piloting the Black #45 late model, took the lead on lap 2 and never looked back.

A hot and sunny day at Ukiah Speedway did not stop the AABLM from breaking another record. Mike Lovell set fast time and new record for the Ukiah Speedway with a 12.464. He was followed by Mike Doss 12.539, Chris Straka 12.589, Eric Graham 12.597 and Kevin Ostern 12.602.

Lovell won the fast dash; followed by Ostern, Doss, Forrest Kuecker, Straka and Graham. Eric Williamson won the slow dash; followed by Lissa Uselton, Joe “Potatoes” Aiken, Myles Anderson, Kevin Estep and Mike Bourbon.

Ukiah Speedway brought out late models from 5 different counties; this track seems to attract driver talent. We had a newcomer to the AABLM Series, Lissa Uselton from Eureka. Junior “Hot Rod” Roddy of Gualala was present, along with the AABLM regulars.

The main started with 19 late models lined up behind Jim Stillman on the pole and Corey James on his outside. James broke on warm-up laps, so that moved the outside row up one position, giving Clay the front row spot. Stillman got the jump on Caturegli, but that didn’t last long as Caturegli took the lead on the second lap. The first of 6 cautions came out on lap 4 for Blair Aiken and Anderson. The field restarted with Caturegli in the lead and Berndt Akerstrom in second where he stayed for 55 laps. It looked like Akerstrom was glued to his tail, until his #37 North Counties Development late model broke and ended his evening. 28 laps flew by without a caution, until Kuecker’s loose car got away from him in turn 1, sending him over the embankment. He was able to rejoin the field under caution and resume racing at the back of the pack. The third yellow came out for multi-car spins on lap 38; the first group was Straka and Ostern. Both drivers went into the pits, Straka’s #48, sponsored by the Buckhorn Club, was done for the night and Ostern’s crew continued to work on his car. Before they could count a lap under green, Williamson over steered in turn 2, bringing out another yellow and allowed Ostern the opportunity to rejoin the pack without losing a lap. The 4th caution was for a 3 car wreck in turn 4 involving Joe, Williamson and Uselton. Joe Aiken of B.A.D. Racing and Williamson, sponsored by Ukiah Automotive, were done for the night. Uselton restarted at the back of the field. A 5th yellow came out for a single car spin by Estep on lap 53; he was able to restart at the end of the field. The 6th and final yellow came out for veteran drivers Graham and Roddy. We could see this coming, they were both driving hard and looking to occupy the same piece of real estate and laps were counting down. Uselton was collected in this, ending the evening for her purple #29 sponsored by John’s Used Cars and Wreckers. Time was running out, and the Ukiah Speedway time coordinator, Nadine Strauss, had to make the call to shorten the race. All drivers were told by their spotters that the next caution would bring out a checker. With the drivers knowing their time was limited; the leaders got a little restless and had a false start. Caturegli and Stillman tangled before the green came out and were able to hold their position. 3 laps later, the checker came out at lap 66 due to time constraints. Clay gladly took the checker, followed by Stillman, Lovell, Doss and points leader Ostern. Caturegli, who accepted his trophy in the pits, was quoted” I got spun on the restart, but got straightened out and kept the lead.”

Thanks out to Johnny Miskill for flagging for us. You did a great job and we hope you can join us again in the future.

On a personal note, get well soon Jeremy. We missed seeing you in the pits and in the spotters stand.

See You at the Track!

Bob Cook

AABLM back at Ukiah Speedway

May 16th is our comeback date and the fourth round for the Airport Auto Brokers Late Models. After 2 weeks off and 1 rain out, we’re ready to Play! The teams have been wrenching on their late models, kicking tires and telling tales. It’s time to go racing!

So far this has been the Kevin and Kevin show, but anything could happen with our competitive teams. Jim Stillman, Forrest Kuecker, Eric Graham, Mike Lovell, Cory James and Ken Gifford have all led laps or set quick times. Blair and Joe Aiken will be returning, last time Blair ran at Ukiah Speedway he was 3rd quick and finished in the top 5 in the Main Event with a 3rd place finish. Also joining the AABLM this weekend, will be Lissa Uselton of Redwood Acers Raceway, Junior Roddy & Dave Miller of Nor-Cal Tour Cars and Mike Doss will bring out the blue #75 AABLM. We also have some teams that have not showed all their cards and could surprise us all, like Chris Straka, Eric Williamson, Allen Gibney, Mike Bourbon and Berndt Akerstrom. Tom Caturegli will bring back the Black #45 and rookie contender Myles Anderson and his Black # 28 will be attending and sponsoring the night’s event

Also at Ukiah Speedway will be the Legends Car Series, Bandoleros, Modifieds, Street Stock, Bomber and a rollover contest! Events Start @ 6:00pm so it will be a must see Saturday at Ukiah Speedway.

See You at the Track!
Bob Cook