Points paces opening night of Western SportMod Nationals

Northern SportMod, Results

Trevor Points paced the opening night qualifying feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods at Yreka Speedway’s Western SportMod Nationals. (Photo by Blissful Moments Photography)

By Ben Deatherage

YREKA, Calif. (July 11, 2024) – Thursday was the inaugural Western SportMod Nationals opening leg at Yreka Speedway for one of the country’s biggest paying Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod races.

Over 50 entries from across the country journeyed to the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds ¼-mile clay oval.

Buddy Kniss took an early lead at the start of the feature. The race heated up a few laps in as Ethan Killingsworth moved unsuccessfully to overtake the second-running Trevor Points.

The tension was broken when a caution was raised after six circuits. Points launched a challenge for the lead against Kniss as the race resumed. 

The two engaged in a fierce battle, with Points eventually seizing the top spot, on lap nine.  Meanwhile, a race for third unfolded between Killingsworth and Jeffrey Hudson, who eventually secured the position.

On lap 11, Killingsworth rebounded beautifully with a brilliant double overtake past Hudson and Kniss to become the new runner-up. The field was slowed down for the final time when the yellow flag reemerged on the 13th circuit.

When the green light came back on, Killingsworth made his bid for the lead and Matt Sanders mounted a strong challenge for third. Using the high side to his advantage, Sanders captured third and set his sights on second.

Sanders and Killingsworth battled, with Killingsworth successfully staying ahead of him. While the two drivers fought over second, the race leader checked out.  

Killingsworth held onto second, with Sanders settling in third. Hudson was fourth, while Tyler Bannister beat Kniss to the line for fifth. However, Hudson was disqualified after post-race tech moved Bannister up to fourth and Kniss to fifth.

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