Spainhoward caps off year with Budweiser Nationals win
Saturday was another night of intense battles at Bakersfield Speedway for the conclusion of the 30th Annual Budweiser Nationals.
Track champion Nick Spainhoward was able to add a Bud National win to his season, leading all 30 laps of the Sport Mod main.
“I can’t believe it, this is such a huge accomplishment for me,” Spainhoward said. “This is what everybody here looks forward to.”
Rick Childress Jr. fought hard to pass Spainhoward all race, coming in second.
“I just tried working him over as clean as possible, and we couldn’t get it done cleanly.” Childress Jr. said.
Garry Dutton placed third and Michael Johnson came in fourth.
Durring the Sport Mod B main, Zack Boitnott went up into the fence, but walked away uninjured.
Even with a Hobby Stocks feature riddled with cautions and restarts Michael Scruggs was able to keep his lead, making the national race his first ever win.
“That was fun,” Scrugss said. Brent Hosfeldt stayed behind Scruggs the whole race to place second.
The main battles came for the remaining top 5 positions. Kyle Fife fought his way from the middle of the pack, switching places with Raymond Noland Jr. and track champion Kevin Collier during the final laps of the race.
Fife ended the race in third, with Noland Jr. and Collier coming in fourth and fifth respectively.
Leading the Western Pro Stocks main for 29 laps, it was an exciting final lap restart for Mike Johnson, who by turn 2 was ahead by a car length to take the win.
“I thought I was done winning these things,” Johnson said, as it had been 8 years since his last National win. “I figured when I didn’t see anyone by lap 20, I was kinda alright.”
Billy Simkins was right behind Johnson the whole race, coming in second with Drake coming in third.
