Holder takes home the big win at Bakersfield Speedway
Fans were treated to a fireworks show as part of the 6th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial on Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway.
But before and after the night sky was colorfully lit up, they were regaled by some exciting racing action on the track’s third-mile clay oval.
Brylon Holder won a thrilling 25-lap Sports Mod main event, holding off several strong challengers.
Holder led from wire-to-wire but not before beating runner-up Tina Pounds to the finish line by a fraction of a second.
Austin Kiefer was third followed by Jordan Hagar and Michael Johnson.
Earlier in the race Holder withstood a battle for the lead with Chris McKellar.
McKellar battled Holder side-by-side for the top spot throughout the much of the race but the two made contact on Lap 22, causing McKellar’s car to get a flat tire.
“It was a very fun race,” Holder said. “It’s been awhile since I’ve won. The couple of times I have won, they were wins, but not as good as this one.”
The IMCA Modified All Star Tour and Hobby Stock feature races were not completed by press time.
Tyler Johnson narrowly held off his nephew Nicholas Johnson to win the 20-lap American Stock feature.
Tyler Johnson led the entire way in earning his division-leading fifth win of the year.
The finish came down to a drag race to the checkered flag with Tyler edging Nicholas by half a car length.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Tyler Johnson said when asked about racing against his nephew.
“He finally grew some balls and raced me hard.”
Brandon Ratcliff, who came into the night as the American Stocks points leader, eight markers ahead of Tyler Johnson, finished third.
Cody Johnson was fourth and Roger Welch took fifth.
During Lap 6 of the race Tehachapi driver Gary Spiller was involved in an accident that brought out the red flag.
Spiller was moving around after the incident, but was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation.
