Murphy, Belli Susanville Winners, Richey Domination Continue

Susanville, CA...June 11...The second round of the NAPA Gold Series took place at Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville last Saturday night. The event pits the stars of the Susanville track and American Valley Speedway in Quincy against each other. When the checkered flag flew on the night's action, it was Matt Murphy becoming the third different winner in three IMCA Modified races. Kyle Belli grabbed his second Mini Stock win of the season, while Victor Richey made it three in a row in Strictly Stock Cars.

A competitive 14 car IMCA Modified field came to do battle for Main Event glory. Coming off of a fourth place finish last time out, Matt Murphy impressed with a Main Event victory Saturday night. Cory Sample made his season debut with an strong second place finish as he held off Late Model veteran Bill Pearson. Current Quincy point leader Chase Neiman grabbed the fourth place finish with Larry McCracken holding off past Susanville champion Jeff Chew for a fifth place finish. Mitch Murphy settled for seventh ahead of Steve Bejeck, Dustin Sell and reigning champion Wade Kennemore.

The Strictly Stock Car division had two heat races with Shayna Robertson and Nathan Howard grabbing the victories. Richey settled for second in his heat race, but he wasn't settling for anything less than his third straight Main Event victory. Jason Emmot rebounded from his DNF a race earlier by holding off Steve Goss for a second place finish. Third was the best finish of the year for Goss as Nathan Howard and Mike Nichols rounded out the Top 5. Dan Dias, Fred Kresge and Robertson were feature scratches.

Reigning Mini Stock champion Kyle Belli and past champion Larry Whitebird continue to put on a show for the fans. For the second straight race, Belli would prevail as Whitebird settled for second. Whitebird won his heat race earlier in the evening. Larry Foster had sixth and fifth place finishes going into this race, but his third place finish on Saturday was his best effort of the year. He held off heat winner Billy Gibson for that finish as Joe Marlow completed the Top 5. Raymond Talavera, Brandon Bumb, Gabrielle Lewis and Jason Marlow were feature scratches.

Racing continues on Friday, June 17th with IMCA Modifieds, Strictly Stock Cars and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to lassencountyfair.org/interim-events/diamond-mountain-speedway/