2016 North State Modified Series champion, Darrin Knight (#20) and 2016 NSMS Rookie Of The Year Darrin Sullivan (#21) both from Kelseyville will be competing at the Sinister Diesel Gene Welch Classic at All American Speedway for the NSMS season-opener on April 22nd (Photo By Don Thompson)

By Nadine Strauss

The North State Modified Series (NSMS), presented by Protect the Harvest, will kick off it's fourth season on Saturday, April 22 at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA. This first event will feature the second annual “Sinister Diesel Gene Welch Modified Classic.”

The Roseville race is the first of a busy 11-race schedule for NSMS. Lucas Oil is stepping up the tow money program this year whereby the top ten points contenders will each get $200 show-up money, and 11th through 15th will receive $100 at each 2017 points race. This program begins at Lakeport Speedway on May 6.

After the Lakeport show the series heads North to Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka for a Memorial Day Holiday Sunday event. Then the tour ventures South to Madera Speedway on June 10 for a combo show with the southern-based Lucas Oil Modified Series. Back to Roseville on June 24 to be a part of the Placer County Fair festivities with the Nor Cal Pro-4 Modified Series.

Events in July include the first of two shows at Mendocino County's Ukiah Speedway on July 8, and the second of three shows at Eureka on July 22. Lakeport Speedway, Ukiah Speedway and Redwood Acres Raceway have joined forces to create a mini-modified series with the six North State Modified Series races schedules at these three tracks. The other race at Ukiah will be on August 19, and September 9 is the date for the final Redwood Acres Raceway show.

Shasta Speedway will once again host the “Lloyd Burton Against the Wind Modified Challenge” on September 23. The winner of this prestigious event will have his name engraved on the four foot tall custom-designed wooden trophy donated by Burton's brother-in-law Mort Houston.

The final event will be back at All American Speedway for a Trifecta Championship Night featuring the North State Modified Series, the Pacific Challenge Late Models Series, and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. This event will be promoted by Bill McAnally Racing Promotions and will be on October 14..

The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Swartz Diesel, Lucas Oil, Sinister Diesel, Penney Racing Supply, American Racer Tires, Wrap Star Pro, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Race Fuels, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Wenteq, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, DJ Safety, and the Buckhorn Bar & Grill.

NSMS modified rules and procedures are available at www.northstatemodifieds.com.

2017 North State Modified Series Schedule
April 22nd All American Speedway – Roseville, CA 2nd Annual Gene Welch Classic
May 6th Lakeport Speedway, Lakeport, CA
May 27 Sat/May 28 Sun Redwood Acres Raceway, Eureka, CA – Sat. Practice, Sunday Race
June 10th Madera Speedway, CA + Lucas Oil Mods (MAV TV)
June 24th All American Speedway – Roseville, CA FAIR RACE
July 8th Ukiah Speedway – Ukiah, CA
July 22nd Redwood Acres Raceway – Eureka, CA
August 19th Ukiah Speedway – Ukiah, CA
Sept 9th Redwood Acres Raceway – Eureka, CA
Sept 23rd Shasta Speedway – Lloyd Burton “Against the Wind” Modified Challenge
October 14th All American Speedway – Roseville, CA w/ NASCAR K&N Pro Series