KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The 53rd annual Northern California Racing Association awards banquet honoring the top Lakeport Speedway drivers of 2019 was held Saturday night at the Kelseyville Lions Clubhouse.

NCRA Director Curtis Clauson and former race promoter Blair Aiken acted as masters of ceremonies.

NCRA President Bob Strauss opened the program with his words of wisdom, stating that Lakeport Speedway is “magic.”

The 2019 Modified Championship went to Eric Johnson of Kelseyville. During last season Johnson set fast time and was the feature winner on July 27. He also took home two trophy dash wins.

The Taco Bell Bomber championship was claimed by Lauren Snider of Kelseyville. He was the quickest qualifier three times during 2019, had two dash wins and captured the main event on opening night.

Eight-year-old Landyn Snider earned the championship in the Bandolero class. He clocked in the fastest three out of the five events he raced, and finished second in all five.

Codi Winchel of Rohnert Park, the Legends Car champion, was not present at the ceremonies, but his accomplishments were mentioned including three feature wins.

The top five bomber drivers not only received a cup trophy but were presented with a 3 foot by 5 foot banner displaying their race car.

The top five included Snider, Mike Sullivan, Rick Jelton, David Jones and Trevor Abella.

Positions six through 10 were presented with a personalized plaque. They were John McCullough, Evan Smith, Seth Chew, Amber Portlock and Forrest Kuecker.

Similar awards were presented to the top 10 in the modified class. Receiving those awards were Johnson, Michael Snider, Darrin Sulllivan, Chris Salmina, Richard Knight, Jeremy Nowlin, Anthony Esburg, Ian Elliott, Michael Knight and Robert Schmidt.

Special recognition went to all the Lakeport Speedway officials, the Redwood Acres Raceway officials who helped all season long, and he track sponsors – Taco Bell, Anderson Logging, BiCoastal Media, Hillside Powersports and Marine, D & P Pools, Clearlake Redi-Mix, Napa Auto Parts, Perkins Septic Tanks, Steve Taylor Excavation, Snap-on Tools, Wicked Sounds and Lake County Tribal Health.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, Gary Wielen, treasurer of the Kelseyville Lions Club, presented NCRA business manager Nadine Strauss with a check for $400 towards sponsorship for 2020.

Wielen said his club considered NCRA and the Kelseyville Lions partners, and looks forward to a long and resourceful relationship at Lakeport Speedway.

The 2020 auto racing season at Lakeport Speedway begins on April 25. The schedule can be found on the NCRA-Lakeport Speedway Facebook page.