Noland Jr. takes Hobby Stock race at Bakersfield Speedway
Raymond Noland Jr. took the lead on the 18th lap and raced to victory in the 25-lap Hobby Stock feature on Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway.
He is the third winner in as many races on the third-mile clay oval.
Noland powered past Don Mead two laps after a restart, then held off Mead and the rest of the field on three restarts over the final seven laps, the last with a lap to go.
Tate Loftis passed Mead on the final restart to take second with Mead third.
“We made a couple of changes since last week, had some suspension damage and tonight it ran really good. I knew Donny would be tough to get by. I saw Tate come back and he almost got me on that last turn.”
The race was stopped after five laps after a crash involving Brian Childress, who complained of back pain but emerged from the car under his own power and was OK.
The Sports Mod and Late Model races were not complete at print deadline.
Jarett Kramer took the lead with 10 laps to go and led the rest of the way to win the 25-lap California Lightning Sprint South vs. North feature.
“I was just pacing it,” he said of his early run. “For same reason, tonight everything just slowed down for me. … I was picking and choosing my battles and everything worked.”
Kramer made a few passes up high, but was quicker in the low groove.
“Our car worked best on the bottom,” he said. “I just love this track. I love coming here. I have so many wins here.”
Cody Nigh was second and Craig Dillard third.
Broedy Graham took the lead three laps into the Senior Mini Dwarf feature and led the rest of the way to win the 15-lapper. Jacob Carey finished second with Tailer Morrison third.
Jett Yantis came from the rear of the field to win the 12-lap Junior Mini Dwarf feature.
Yantis restarted at the rear after a caution two laps into the race after his engine stalled and flew into the lead with two laps to go. Adam Nohl, who led the first 10 laps, finished second with Trenton Rickel third.
Nick Spainhoward topped the 23 car field of IMCA Northern SportMods. Clint Reichenbach led most of the race and seemed to have it locked up until a caution fell on the final lap. On the restart Spainhoward was able to get by Reichenback and hold on for the win. Billy Simkins came home third followed by Jason Nation and Matt Lewis rounding out the top five.
A small field of dirt late models checked in for their first appearance for 2017. Cody Laney handled the eight car field in fine fashion followed by Rob Sanders and Tony Toste.
