KEVIN VERNON DOMINATES FAST TRIP 200

Three-time track champion Kevin Vernon proved again he knew his way around Mesa Marin’s ½-mile. When the green flag dropped in the Fastrip 200 Vernon was in 5th and even understanding, he had 200 laps before the checkered, he was in 4th by lap 14, 3rd by lap 19, 2nd by lap 34 and on lap 39 Greg Pursley moved over and let him. Once he was out front he never looked back. And while other drivers strategized pit stops, tire changes and adjustments, Vernon just kept on going and going and going until the win was his.

Early in the race Ben Walker, who drives Late Models at Irwindale Speedway, challenged Vernon and Pursley. On lap 95 he spun in turn 4, then after the mid-break making his way back to the front, he went around again and never recovered his chance for a top 5 position.

Later in the race Barry Bradshaw of Bakersfield seemed to have something for Vernon. When Vernon would get locked up in traffic, Bradshaw would inch closer. But when Vernon’s path was clear, the #51 was awesome.

Dan Holtz won the hard luck award of the night. Early in practice he and Steve Reaves got together and Reaves’ #59 went up in flames and Holtz had to put in a new front end to compete. He qualified mid-pack and moved up to a solid 4th. Took a chance to pit for a tire change and lost position, but moved back to 4th again until the car died on lap 178 – out of gas and out of luck when it wouldn’t re-fire and they had to go under the hood before getting back out on 198. Not enough time to get any position!

Forty Late Model drivers from the western region came to race in the Fastrip 200 on the first day of the October Classic. Their goal was to either qualify or practice for Sunday’s Re-Refined Oil Race of Champions with $15,000 up for grabs. Ten will advance for tonight’s Late Model event who were not already pre-qualified by a former championship or top-5 points status for the 1999 season, could transfer to Sunday’s event. NASCAR officials said a full list will be available sometime tomorrow.

In other action Mike Alexander, the 1999 Street Stock Champ, pulled out another win in the 30-lap Street Stock main event. Mike Schoen, advisor to the Kern Valley High School team, jumped out in front to lead 10 laps before Alexander picked his way through the pack and took over 1st. Billy Tucker followed him and close behind Mike Riale and Mike White battled for position until Lloyd Wren slipped in and took over 3rd leaving 4th and 5th for the Mikes.

In the Street Stock Semi Main J.R. Garcia finished 1st while the excitement was the media race between KGET-TV’s Anchor Jim Scott and Sports Reporter Mike Valpredo. Scott jumped ahead of Valpredo early in the race, but Valpredo came back and passed him. It looked like Valpredo would keep the lead, but a slight bobble gave Scott the chance to pass him back and secure the lead. John Alden of Kern Radio raced in the main event when the 3rd car was wrecked in practice and not by Alden. He wants a rematch with the television guys to win the media plaque, which is currently at the television studio!

North High 08ers did it again for the second year in a row! They had to battle the Visalia Youth Motorsports team, which came from the back to take the lead mid-way through the 12-lap season finale. But Josh Robinson of North was able to rally and get the lead back to not only win the night’s main event, but the 1999 Championship. Kern Valley took 3rd followed by Centennial and South High.

The 23rd Annual October Classic has three more days of action. Tonight the Ultra Wheels SPEC Trucks, California Asphalt SuperModifieds and Super TT Motorcycles begin racing at 7:30. On Saturday, the NASCAR Southwest Series, Ultra Wheels SPEC Trucks, and Super TT Motorcycles begin at 7:30 and on Sunday the NASCAR Winston West Re-Refined Oil 250 and Re-Refined Oil Race of Champions begins at 2pm. Tickets range from $15 to $36 with plenty of good seats available. For more information contact Mesa Marin at 366-5711.

* * * Main RESULTS * * *
1 51 KEVIN VERNON
2 13 BARRY BRADSHAW
3 61 MICHAEL ALSUP
4 7 JERRY CAIN
5 9 MIKE DUNCAN
6 2 BRIAN BRANSON
7 0 RAY HOOPER, JR
8 24 JOHN TYCZKI
9 70 CHUCK TRICKLE
10 64 REX CALDERWOOD
11 1 CHRIS LOWDEN
12 14 KEVIN SMALL
13 58 MIKE STROBL
14 63 BRANDON MILLER
15 10 KRISTI SCHMITT
16 16 DAN HOLTZ
17 5 BEN WALKER
18 37 TRACY NORMAN
19 98 GREG PURSLEY
20 45 SEAN WOODSIDE
21 09 GARY JENKINS
22 91 FRANK ADAMO
23 02K JOE KIRSCH
24 17 TERRY HENRY
25 75 RON DANIEL
26 77 BRIAN KELLEY
27 3 DAVID GILLILAND