BAKERSFIELD, California -- Randy Tucker won the 30 lap Crystal Pools Street Stock feature, April 2nd, at Mesa Marin Raceway's 2005 opening night. The third year driver won his first ever series win at the Bakersfield half mile oval.
Tucker led the race from flag to flag but it was not necessarily an easy win. The race didn't make the first lap before the yellow flag came out due to a double spin by Paul Ebersbacher and Tim Conley.
The yellow flag flew again on lap five when Jeremy Ellis and Michael Woodcock made contact resulting in Woodcock sliding around in turn three. The yellow returned on lap ten whe a turn two crash took out the cars of Jason Black and Jason Niederiter. Ebersbacher, a pre race favorite who had horrible luck in this event, was also invovled in the melee but was able to continue after making pit road repairs.
The street stockers seemed to find their racing rhythm, after the restart, and raced to lap 25 when the final yellow flag came out due to debris. It was the last thing that Randy Tucker needed to see because the caution eradicated a full straightaway lead.
Tucker ran out the final five laps and fended off a late race charge from Anthony Gillespie. Howie Smith, Mike Brilhante and Michael Norlock completed the top five.
After parking his TWA Auto Machine Chevrolet in Mesa Marin's victory lane, a very happy Tucker said "this is my very first win. I've been out here for three years. I didn't want ot see that final caution flag. I had a full straightaway lead and didn't need that flag."
Make no mistake about it: the Crystal Pools Street Stock Series is going to be a lot of fun this year at Mesa Marin Raceway.
