Before we begin the race results for August 27th, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to fellow racers that we have known for some time. In fact this month has been exceedingly difficult for the racing community. We have lost Richard Smith, Ron Cates and Gauge Howell.
Richard Smith
We all knew Richard as one of the staunch and consistent late model drivers of the last many years. Viewing his Facebook page shows how many folks knew and appreciated his commitment to friendship and helping others.
(Photos from G.M. Ballard)
From Patricia Moses:
Heaven gained an Angel tonight at 8:20p
Richard Smith lost his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by family and a couple close friends. He will be greatly missed.
R.I.P MY LOVE
Richard Edward Smith
1/23/1971 - 8/18/2023
Ron Cates
From Vicki Massey:
Thank you to everyone that has reached out to me and the rest of the family❤️Thank you for all the prayers🙏🏼there is power in prayer. Ron has touched so many lives and it is so heartfelt to hear the stories from all of you. He had a wonderful family out at his work place. Thank you all for showing him love & kindness. I know it meant a lot to him and it sure does to me also. God gave my sister & I the best brother he ever created. Best father, husband, grandpa & uncle.
We love you Ron Cates & miss you. But Thank You Lord - no more pain for you. Wish I could kiss on you again. Your kids brought out the race car, you looking out at it, what a joyful smile it put on your face❤️
Gauge Howell
We lost one heck of a racer this last Sunday. Gauge Howell left an impression on all of us that was magnified by his passing. Although he was only fifteen, he touched the lives of many people throughout the last few years at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway.
He raced in the pro late models twice in 2022 where he finished a respectable 4th and 7th. His memory will live on in all of the folks that knew him.
Memorial Windshield Decal
Many friends of Gauge have asked to run a decal in his honor. Therefore we have proposed that any racer that wishes could run this decal in the passenger side upper windshield for their final race of the year. The decals will be located in the pit shack at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway before the Championship races.
Aug 26th, Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway, RaceCals Pro Late Models
The late model class at Stateline is rarely below 12 cars. In fact we typically have 15 or more. But for a few debatable reasons the fans had to make due with less. Yet if you went by the cheering alone during the first 50 lapper you wouldn't know the difference.
Qualifying
Nick Gibson took the pole with a 14.11. Right on his heels was Dalton Cristiani with a 14.123.
Dice Roll
Nick had another shot to roll something other than a 10 (his last 4 rolls? - we've lost count) but it seemed like that would just never happen. So we started out with nearly a full field invert. Here is our lineup in photos.
B Main
Nick Gibson, Jess Havens and Scott Murphy are the main story here. Nick and Jess had one heck of a battle for the lead at the last laps of the race. Nick was able to hold on but folks were expecting to see a repeat in the A Main. Scott carried a very respectable pace that gave him no trouble to land on the podium.
(Thank you Dishaw Photography for the winner photos!)
A Main
Unfortunately for Killer B Racing, the gremlin electrical problem that occured once during the first race would not go away in the second. Jess had to pull in about halfway through.
But at least we finally got to see Nick roll something other than a 10 for the invert!
Proof that Nick can roll something other than a 10!!!
If past is an indication of future performance, you are not surprised to see Nick Gibson win the A Main and take home the larger purse for the night. That team is on fire! Dalton Cristiani took 2nd and a frustrated Dave Garber took 3rd. Dave had managed to hold onto 3rd after an incident took out his front panels. As far as Dalton, you can expect to see him around the top 5 often so to see him at 2nd was fun to see! Dalton and Team Cristiani are always solid contenders.
Congratulations Winners!
(Thank you Dishaw Photography for the winner photos!)
Points Update
That is it for today's report. Up next is the Championship Night on September 9th. Get your tickets now.
Championship Night Event Info
Tickets
Visit raceidaho.com for all Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway ticketing and event information. Make sure to support your local race track. Buy a burger and a beverage.