Bernal uses outside wall to win Sprint Car feature race

BY MIKE GRIFFITH The Bakersfield Californian mgriffith@bakersfield.com

Ryan Bernal did some rim riding Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway and it paid off with a victory in the 30-lap USAC West Coast Sprint Car feature.

Bernal went low in turns two and three to take the lead six laps into the 22-car feature but the rest of the time he was hugging the outside wall of the third-mile clay oval.

“We raced in Watsonville last night, drive back to Sacramento then down here for tonight’s race,” said Bernal, of Hollister. “(The crew) gave me a pretty could car. It could drive itself.”

Danny Faria Jr. led the first five laps before giving way to Bernal.

“I didn’t leave (the high line) because I didn;t see any attempts (to pass) down low,” Bernall said. “It was a great track.If you can have a slide-job city and run right up to the wall, that;s what you come for.”

Jace Vander Weed found enough traction in the low groove to finish second followed by Faria and Troy Rutherford.

Jace Vander Weed, Richard Vander Weed and Faria won heat races.

Kevin Collier of Porterville came from the rear of the field to become the first repeat winner in the Hobby Stock division

Collier actually took the lead on the seventh lap, but he was put to the rear for contact with leader Robert Swearengin, which caused Swearengin to spin.

Tyler Irwin took the lead at that point and held it until Collier passed him with three laps remaining in the 25-lap event.

Mike Hill Jr. was third, followed by Kyle Wood.

After the race, there was contact between Swearingen and Collier, which resulted in the two cars being hooked together on the inside of turn four.

Roger Welch started on the pole and led all 20 laps to win the 20-lap American Stock feature, becoming the third different winner in as many races.

Welch pulled away from Don Mead over the final five laps to win by several car lengths.

“My car does good on the bottom, especially when it’s a little slick so I just stuck down there,” Welch said of his drive to victory.

Mark Irwin was third, followed by Brian Childress and points leader Traci Childress.

Bobby Courtney took the lead for the final time with two laps to go in a ’55 Plymouth to win a wild Okie Bowl Hard Tops 20-lap feature. James Bradburn was second followed by Josh Yadon.