Robbie Knittel (#24) passes Darrin Sullivan (#21) on his way to win his second North State Modified Series win. Photo by Jenna Meyer and Don Bloom

Via Nadine Strauss/NSMS Media

Madera CA... June 15, 2019.... Coming off a victory at Stockton 99 Speedway two weeks ago, Robbie Knittel of Lodi drove the Ferrari Farms #24 modified to his second straight $1000 victory at Madera Speedway Saturday night as the North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, completed race #5 of the 2019 Driving Out Cancer Awareness Tour. Knittel also set fast time of 15.117 seconds and took over the NSMS points lead by two points over Cameron Austin of Santa Rosa.

Knittel drew the number six pill for the starting position inversion putting Kelseyville driver Darrin Sullivan and Brian Collins of Camino in the front row. Sullivan forged ahead at the start with Darrin Knight driving under Collins for second. Austin swapped places with Collins on three and Knittel joined the top four on lap four.

Austin moved to the high side and assumed second on lap five. Knittel also drove the outside groove around Knight, and for the next 13 laps Knittel and Austin raced side-by-side, swapping places with each pass. Knittel finally won the battle when they caught lapped traffic and Austin was forced to settle into third place.

Meanwhile Sullivan was enjoying a healthy lead, but his car started to push sending him higher and higher into the turns. This gave Knittel a chance to catch up, and once again Knittel took advantage of slower traffic and made the winning pass on lap 31.

Sullivan’s car bobbled slightly on lap 46 allowing both Austin and Knight to gain ground. With only 11 laps to go, Sullivan lost control and spun in turn four to bring out the yellow flag. The final laps went caution free with Knittel holding off Austin for the win. Knight finished third followed by Jason Philpot, Keith Bloom and Brian Collins. Sullivan raced back to finish seventh ahead of Ian Elliott, Sal Lopez, Dale Didoha and Rick Avila.

Austin won $100 in the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash. Elliott collected $50 for second. They both took home Lucas Oil products as well as the Scribner jugs. Austin also won the Naake Shocks certificate.

Knittel was named the Keyser Hard Charger for passing the most cars. Frank's Radios gift cards went to Collins, Elliott and Lopez.

The North State Modified Series moves north to Shasta Speedway in Anderson, CA on June 22.

The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, Gone Fishin' Marine, and Franks Radios.

HOOSIER TIME TRIALS:
Robbie Knittel15.117, Jason Philpot 15.145, Cameron Austin15.145, Darrin Knight 15.154, Brian Collins 15.236, Darrin Sullivan 15.308, Ian Elliott 15.665, Dale Didoha 15.805, Sal Lopez 15.825, Keith Bloom 16.115, Rick Avila

LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH:
Cameron Austin, Terry Deal, Robbie Knittel, Darrin Knight, Dale Didoha, Jason Philpot

PROTECT THE HARVEST / SUNOCO MAIN EVENT:
Robbie Knittel, Cameron Austin, Darrin Knight, Jason Philpot, Keith Bloom, Brian Collins, Darrin Sullivan, Ian Elliott, Sal Lopez, Dale Didoha, Rick Avila