Leis Capitalizes on Leader’s Flat to Win at Saugus

Larry Leis of Castaic took advantage of a fat tire sustained by leader Butch Selig of Sylmar on Lap 8 and held on to win the Hobby Stock division 25-lap main event.

For Leis, who entered the contest 10th in the points standings, the win was his first finish above third this season. Leis started the race in the ninth position.

Jeff Drummen of Northridge finished second followed by Jim Gunnarson of Reseda and Gerald Gledhill of Encino.

Points leader Brian Kelley of Arleta was unable to finish because of mechanical problems.

“We won the championship last year, but this year has been bad for us. We haven’t been able to finish races,” Leis said. “We finally got some breaks tonight.”

Russ Wolff of Mission Hills won the Jalopy division 15-lap main event.

Larry Durm of Northridge won a 12-lap Street Stock semi-main event to advance to the main event. Durm took the lead on Lap 4 when Mike Mandel of Arleta pulled into the pits because of mechanical difficulties. Also advancing to the main event were John Schuetze and Leonard McDonald, both of Simi Valley, and Glen Werdon of Canyon Country.

Tom Eurton of Valencia, Eric Foster of North Hollywood and Crow won Street Stock heat races and Rayburn won the Street Stock figure 8 heat race.

Kelley, Drummen and Thad Friday of Reseda (figure 8) won Hobby Stock heat races. Hector Cruz and Jerry Carfley, both of Sun Valley, won Jalopy heat races.