Dutton claim SportMod main event win
The 70TH season of racing continued again Saturday night with another action packed night of dirt track racing. 16 Motor City GMC IMCA Northern SportMods checked in at the Bakersfield Speedway to do battle on the 1/3 mile clay oval for some hot summer night racing. Garett Jernagan took an early control of the field as the 15 others had their work cut out contending with the hooked up race track. Gary Dutton of Bakersfield, CA started towards the front of the field but put on a strong drive as he picked his way through the field. In the end Dutton captured the main event win followed by Nick Spainhoward, Billy Simkins, Michael Johnson and Michael Black. A scary moment accrued three quarters of the way through the main event as Ricky Childress Jr took a wild ride on the back straight. His Harris chassis SportMod made contact with the crash wall sending him in a wild end over end crash landing him into the billboards. Childress walked away unhurt from the crash. The Motor City GMC SportMods will be back in action next week to resume the tight points battle.
A nice showing of 14 Western Pro Stock cars produced another great battle for the winners check Saturday night. Wayne Coffman led the field for most of the 20 feature and looked to have it locked up. Lee Jensen of Bakersfield had other plans as he made a run on Coffman to wage a great battle late for the lead. Jensen took the lead with a few laps to go with Coffman close behind. Coffman wasn’t finished as he got back around Jensen with two laps to go and looked to be poised for his first win. Coffman bobbled just enough to let Jensen regain the lead and go onto win the 20 lap main event. Coffman held on for second followed by Justin Crockett, Billy Simkins and Tim Randolph rounding out the top 5.
15 Melo’s Gas & Gear American Stocks checked in for the night of dirt track action. Tyler Johnson of Bakersfield had a strong outing Saturday night showing the way around the 1/3 mile clay oval to win the 20 lap feature. Don Mead finished second followed by Roger Welch, Cody Johnson and Kody Sly.
The DC’s RV center Mini Stocks made another appearance at the Bakersfield Speedway. 12 Mini Stocks had a tuff main event as a few cars got into trouble and didn’t see the end of the race. Doug Shepherd was the eventual winner of the 20 lap race followed by Loni Spiller, Tina Bell and Roy Maynard Jr.
The NMRA ¾ Midgets were in town for another trip around the 1/3 mile high banked clay oval. Chuck West claimed another main event win over Chris Thomas, West Evans, Scott Dobson and Ace Kale.
Bakersfield Speedway kicks off a popular month of racing this Saturday night with the 2nd Annual Racing 4 Ronald Night. Increased payouts, pre race carnival and BBQ is all planned to help raise money for local Ronald McDonald House. Here’s your chance to get up close with drivers and enjoy a fun time before a great night of racing. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, Hobby Stocks, American Stocks and Mini Dwarfs will all be in action Saturday. Gates open at 4:00pm with racing getting underway at 6:00pm. Bakersfield speedway is located at 5001 N Chester Ext Bakersfield, CA. 93308. For complete race info 661-393-3373
