Spainhoward gets first Speedway win on big emotional night
BY MIKE GRIFFITH mgriffith@bakersfield.com
Bakersfield Speedway pretty much knew every night was Mike Moshier night as he kept them abreast of the racing action with his down-home style of announcing.
On Saturday night, Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall made it official by proclaiming Aug. 29 as Mike Moshier Day.
Moshier is battling cancer and is leaving for Arizona Sunday to receive treatment.
The Mayor also presented Moshier a Key to the City in a ceremony in Victory Lane.
All the drivers at the race singed a car door, which was presented to Moshier and longtime starter Doug Rhine Jr. presented Moshier with a checkered flag he has used in every race.
Wayne Dotson has his Sports Mod wrapped to look like a car Moshier raced several decades ago.
“That’s kind of freaky,” Moshier said when the car was driven on to the front straight. “That’s my ride at Bakersfield, Santa Maria and Porterville.”
What might be even more freaky is the number of Moshier’s old car is 86. The number of drivers on hand at the track on Saturday: 86.
It took 15 races, but Nick Spainhoward finally found his way to Victory Lane in the Sports Mod division.
“Finally go one.” said Spainhoward, who is the points lead and had finished runner-up five times. “This is definitely the hardest track to win at in California.
“I’m glad I could do it tonight, it;s a special night for Mike Moshier.”
Spainhoward started third, avoided some early melees that took out half the 16-car field, and passed Jason Nation to take the lead on the fifth lap.
Spainhoward pulled away from that point on, finishing a full straight ahead of Billy Simkins who was second in the 25-lapper. Nation finished third.
Garrett Jernagan was fourth with Michael Johnson fifth.
In American Stock action, Eric Cimental raced to victory in his first start since the second race of the season.
Cody Sly led the first 11 laps before Cimental got by in turn 3 after a little contact.
“I didn’t mean to get into Cody like that, I hit him square in the bumper,” Cimental said. “He’s a little upset. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”
Once clear, Cimental easily pulled away to win by about a half lap. Don Mead was second and Dakota Brown third.
Mini Stock points leader Tina Bell put on a dominating performance en route to her sixth win of the season.
Bell took the lead on the fourth lap and finished comfortably ahead of runner-up Loni Spiller.
The victory snapped a five-race drought.
“This is all for Mike Moshier,” an emotional Bell said afterward. “My whole check $250 will go to Mike Moshier. He’s been here my whole nine years of racing I love him so much.”
Kylie Conway was third.
The Pro Stock and IMCA Modified features were not completed at print deadline.
