Heckman holds on for IMCA win
BY MIKE GRIFFITH The Bakersfield Californian mgriffith@bakersfield.com
R.C. Whitwell hasn’t been chasing people much this season, but that’s the position he was in Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway in the IMCA Modified feature.
Whitwill chased Bakersfield’s Kyle Heckman around the third-mile oval for 24 of the 25 laps, getting by Heckman just once.
Fortunately for Heckman, that pass came on lap 16 and Heckman was able to hold off Whitwell the rest of the way to come away with the victory.
“I tell you what, any time R.C. Whitwell is behind you it’s something,” Heckman said “He’s got six (wins) already this year. “I knew if I flustered one time he’d get me and I did on the last lap, but was able to hold on.”
Heckman, running the high side, bobbled in turn four on the last lap, opening the door for Whitwell, who was on the bottom. But Heckman got a better drive off the corner to seal the win.
“I want to thank the fans,” Heckman said. “I know it’s late but I think it was worth it.”
Both drivers were in Bill Henderson-owned cars.
“He was a little better tonight,” Whitwell said. “It was fun racing with him.”
Bret Bennett was third, followed by Roger Holder and Brad Pounds.
Lee Jensen led all but two laps to win the 20-lap Super Stock feature
“I tell you what, we crashed this deal a ton early in the night (in a heat race),” Jensen said, “We had a ton of people wrapped up on this thing (to get it race ready).”
Mike Johnson used the high groove to edge past Jensen on the 13th lap, but Jensen, glued to the bottom, moved right back in front.
Johnson finished second with Tim Randolph getting by Clay Daly on the last lap to take third.
Robert Swearengin led all but the first lap to win the Hobby Stock feature. Lloyd Wren finished second with opening night winner Kevin Collier third.
Zach Forster led every lap to win the the 20-lap Mod Lite feature.
Forster was the most experienced driver in the 10-car field, which including several youngsters. Jeff Fry finished second with Jeff Thompson third.
Joe Humphrey of Springville took the lead on the eighth lap then held off Ron Hurt to win the 20-lap IMCA Street Stock feature.
“Wow, this is the only track I’ve never won at an this is my first win here,” Humphrey said. “It’s very special to me.”
Hurt led the first four laps before spinning. He was right on Humphrey;s bumper for the final lap. Finishing a close third was Troy Patee.
“These cars are awesome,” Humphrey said. “Sort of like a Hobby Stock with more power.”
Both Mini Dwarf divisions took more than 30 minutes to run their feature races due to multiple cautions in each race with both races being cut short by a lap
J.D. Brown won the Senior division 14-lap race, followed by Jacob Carey and Troy Morris III. Mason Ratcliff emerged as the winner in the Junior division 11-lap race with Cade Lewis second and Cole Forster third.
