Woodside Finds Rough Going in Featherlite Southwest Race

The Terry Lumber 200 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour race Saturday night at Mesa Marin Raceway, part of the speedway’s October Classic, was delayed by a rainstorm so small that it didn’t show up on radar images.

The downpour, which was centered over the track, struck just after former Granada Hills resident M.K. Kanke won the four-lap trophy dash.

According to track officials, the track was the only place in the city reporting rainfall at the time.

The rain fell for about an hour, and it took 40 minutes to dry the track before the 20-lap semi-main event could be started.

The 30-lap CAM 360 supermodifed main event was rescheduled for after the Southwest Tour race, which was going to finish after midnight on the one-half mile oval.

Sean Woodside of Saugus was eliminated on the 10th lap in a multi-car collision that also included Garrett Evans of Ardenvoir, Wash., Michael Ayers of Las Vegas, Nick Joanides of Woodland Hills, Scott Busby of Martinez and Kenny Shepherd of Merced.

After 100 laps, Augie Vidovich of Lakeside was first, followed by Bakersfield’s Craig Raudman and Frank Maronaksi Jr. of Quartz Hill.

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The 1998 Featherlite Southwest Tour October Classic was rained out and contested the following day.

Mesa Marin Raceway has only had eight rainouts in 24 years, according to owner Marion Collins.

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Featherlite Southwest Tour regular Craig Raudman won the Big O Tire 200 late model race Friday night, outrunning several drivers from the region.

Rod Johnson of Canyon Country, who qualified eighth, was fourth in the race, and Tommy Fry of Canyon Country was sixth. Irwindale Speedway super late model champion Greg Voigt of Goleta was fifth and Woodside was ninth.