‘Dominator’ Pounds wins his 7th feature
BY STEPHEN LYNCH Special to The Californian
Even with the yellow flag seemingly fighting against him, Brad Pounds would not be denied victory in the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature Saturday night at Bakersfield. After twice early in the race having his passes for the lead nullified because of cautions, Pounds muscled his way inside of Michael Johnson to take over point position with 20 laps to go. From there “The Dominator” pulled away for his seventh feature win of the year and third in a row, solidifying his position as the division’s points leader. “It’s a good track and I had a good hot rod,” Pounds said. “Took my time and got it to the front and just watched my dad give me the lead signs and just kept on rolling.” Jay Marks rallied from ninth on the starting grid to take second. Johnson was third, followed by Larry Hood and Roger Holder. Pounds started eighth but was up to fourth by lap three and then moved up another position one circuit later around the third-mile clay oval. Moments after taking over third, Pounds shot around leader Michael Johnson and second-place Bryan Clark, but before getting back to the flag stand an accident brought out a caution. Following the ensuing restart he quickly got around Clark and a lap later, Johnson. However, Pounds’ pass of Johnson was negated as once again the caution flag fell before the lap was completed. A half-lap after the race resumed, Pounds finally got to the front to stay. Running in 11th place, Hood skillfully avoided a four-car wreck just in front of him on lap six. That was the first bit of good luck for Hood, who came into the night tied for the points lead with Pounds. Hood was dealt a major setback during the division’s second heat race when his engine blew up with three laps remaining. Hood was pushed off the racing surface by a tow truck. “It was an oil pan failure,” Hood said. “It failed to keep all the pieces and parts in it. I definitely just want thank my guys…for getting a new motor in it.” Fortunately for Hood, he was able to change engines before the start of the feature IMCA Modified main event.
Wayne Dotson won a caution-filled 25-lap Northern IMCA Sports Mod main. Dotson, who dedicated the race to a friend who recently died, took his third feature win of the year after wrestling the lead from Brylon Holder with 12 laps left. Holder led the first 13 laps but was involved in a lap 18 wreck that brought out the fifth of eight cautions, and didn’t finish the race. Cale Kanke of Frazier Park was second, followed by Kyle Griffith, Tyler Johnson and Darrell Hood.
Gary Spiller won an exciting 20-lap Mini Stock feature. After falling back early, Spiller, the division points-leader, recovered and passed Johnny Wood to take the lead on lap 16 and hung on for his second main event win of the year. Wood led a race-high 12 laps and finished second. Dylan Baker was third. Early leader Chris Settlemire came home in fourth and Tori Sivesind was fifth.
Ryley Millard edged Anthony Balcazar by half a car-length to win the 15-lap Senior Mini Dwarf main event. Nicholas Johnson led the entire way until Millard powered inside of him for the lead coming out of turn two with eight laps left. From there, Millard ran away from the field, except for Balcazar, who steadily gained ground on the leader, before coming up just short at the end. Joe Snyder finished third, followed by Brock McLaughlin and Andrew Orlando.
Troy Morris III out-dueled Kabe McClenny to win the 12-lap Junior Mini Dwarf feature.
