Jason Philpot of Sacramento climbs out of his car after his big win in the North State Modified Series on Saturday night (Photo Courtesy Carrie Lauenroth)

By Nadine Strauss

July 9, 2016 - Ukiah, CA - Jason Philpot of Sacramento jumped ahead of pole setter Cody Thompson of Fremont at the drop of the green flag and lead wire to wire to capture his third season victory in the North State Modified Series at Ukiah Speedway Saturday night in the Protect the Harvest North Coast 60. Philpot's other wins were at All American Speedway in April and Madera Speedway on June 11.

Michael Mitchell of Loomis earned the Penney Racing Supply/Sunoco Fast Time Award by setting fast time of 12.980 seconds, only .046 seconds off the NSMS track record of 12.934 seconds held by Tripp Gaylord of Golden Colorado. Mitchell drew number 4 in the Sinister Diesel inversion pill draw , placing Thompson and Philpot in the first row, points leader Darrin Knight of Kelseyville and Mitchell in row two, and Petaluma's Richie Potts and Kelseyville's Darin Snider in row three.

The first of three yellow flags flew on lap four when Darrin Sullivan spun in turn four while running seventh. All cars avoided contact to continue the race. Philpot chose the outside lane for the double-file restart, forging ahead again, but once more the action was slowed when Potts spun in turn two. With nowhere to go, both Richard Knight and Codi Barba collided with Potts resulting in all three pitting for repairs. Potts and Barba were able to continue, but Knight's car suffered too much damage, ending his run.

Philpot chose the high side of Thompson once again and drove away at the drop of the green flag. Knight and Mitchell battled for third behind Thompson with Darin Snider, Charlie Collins and Mike Collins next in line. David Lyndall and Sierra Furia joined the front runners as Sullivan worked his way back into the top 10.

Mitchell dove under Thompson for second on lap 7 as Charlie Collins tried his luck in the outside groove. Collins and Knight swapped places back and forth for several laps until Thompson drifted high allowing Knight to sneak under him and into third on lap 14.

At the Swartz Diesel half-way point Philpot was way out in front of Mitchell, Knight, Thompson, C. Collins, M. Collins, Lyndall and Furia. Charlie Collins drove by Thompson on the 47th circuit, and six rounds later Snider drove off the track on turn four ending the long green-flag run.

All lapped cars were funneled to the back of the pack for the single-file restart, and the final laps went without incident with Philpot collecting the $1000 for first place. Mitchell finished second with Knight third, Charlie Collins fourth and Thompson fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Mike Collins, Lyndall, Sierra Furia, Bryan Denton and Oregon driver Rich Cobb.

In the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash Charlie Collins collected $100 for the win, with Sullivan getting $50 for second. Collins also earned the Wenteq Hard Charger Award . The Naake Suspension award went to Potts, and Furia earned the DJ Safety certificate. Lyndall and Barba took home the Scribner Plastics.

The next North State Modified Series event will be at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka on July 23.

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

SUNOCO/PENNEY RACING SUPPLY TIME TRIALS:
1. 77 Michael Mitchell 12.980
2. 20 Darrin Knight 13.007
3. 15A Jason Philpot 13.055
4. 68 Cody Thompson 13.086
5. 83 Richie Potts 13.146
6. 2K Darin Snider 13.156
7. 15 Bryan Denton 13.174
8. 21 Darrin Sullivan 13.177
9. 11 David Lyndall 13.182
10. 37 Sierra Furia 13.213
11. 69 Charlie Collins 13.226
12. 5 Josh Stewart 13.227
13. 24 Mike Collins 13.311
14. 15X Richard Knight 13.381
15. 88 Terry Pittman 13.410
16. 12C Codi Barba 13.428
17. 16 Rich Cobb 13.443
18. 33 Luke Kaper 13.592
19. 89 Kevin Coburn 13.608
20. 8 Adrianna Strugnell 13.843
21. 27 Ian Elliott 13.941
22. 09 John Baker N/T

LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH: Charlie Collins, Darrin Sullivan, Richard Knight, Mike Collins, David Lyndall, Josh Stewart

SINISTER DIESEL SUMMER SIZZLER 60:
1. 15A Jason Philpot
2. 77 Michael Mitchell
3. 20 Darrin Knight
4. 69 Charlie Collins
5. 68 Cody Thompson
6. 24 Mike Collins
7. 11 David Lyndall
8. 37 Sierra Furia
9. 15 Bryan Denton
10. 16 Rich Cobb
11. 83 Richie Potts
12. 88 Terry Pittman
13. 5 Josh Stewart
14. 12C Codi Barba
15. 33 Luke Kaper
16. 27 Ian Elliott
17. 8 Adrianna Strugnell
18. 89 Kevin Coburn
19. 2k Darin Snider
20. 21 Darrin Sullivan
21. 15X Richard Knight
22. 09 John Baker