David Reutimann Visits East Bay Victory Lane

By: Larry Jewett

NASCAR Sprint Cup regular David Reutimann didn’t stay out from behind the wheel long after his season ended. Reutimann jumped in a Tony D-backed Modified to prevail in a special 50-lap feature Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park.

The event, sponsored by the David Reutimann Foundation, put a special $1,000 on top for the main event. Wayne Hammond and Kyle Bronson won their heat races and Hammond drew a six for the inversion. That draw put Reutimann and John Bradley on the front row for the start of the event.

Bradley pulled out to the early race lead and the event ran caution-free for the first 30 laps. Bradley and Reutimann were joined by tenth-starting Jeff Mathews, who sliced down low to attempt passes. His efforts were stopped by consecutive yellow flags, but Mathews was able to get by Reutimann. Mathews set his sights on Bradley and the two made heavy contact, giving Reutimann an opportunity to get back in the hunt. He made good on it, slipping past Mathews to cross in front of the flag stand for a popular victory. Mathews kept second, ahead of a charging Devin Dixon. Bradley took fourth with a steady Bronson rounding out the top five.

The night started with Limited Late Model action and Bradley, doing double duty, claimed the victory to solidify his point position. Bradley and William Hampton took heat wins. The top five for the class included Tommy Evonosky, Phillip Cobb, Ricky Land and Tony Sansom.

Street Stocks saw some slam-bang action with Buck Skinner and James Hook on the winning end of heat races. In the main event, Danny Hill and Donnie Reed scrapped for the lead before Hill retired. Buck Skinner swept to the outside to come hunting the front. Skinner was able to move by and claim his tenth feature of the year. Reed kept second, ahead of a charging Steve O’Lone. Gary Sheffield finished fourth with Hook in fifth.

The motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bomber main saw Roberto Morfin Sr. notch his first win. The win was probably costly as Morfin’s motor expired in Victory Lane. Morfin had the lead, lost it to Raymond Vann and gained it back. Vann was second with point leader Jim Baker, Dalton Epps and Robert Kissam adding top fives. Roberto Morfin Jr. and Baker picked up heat wins.

Randy Tyler prevailed in the seven-car Dirt Dauber feature. The win was Tyler’s third of the season.

ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 at 6:30pm with the South Shore Auto Sales Late Models, East Bay Sprints, Q Auto & Injury Limited Late Models, Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds, Outlaw 4s, motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers and Fan Participation races. For more information, call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.