BAKERSFIELD, California -- Howie Smith, with some help from long time friend Greg Puskarich, ended a long time absence from Mesa Marin Raceway's victory lane, May 19th, and won the 25 lap Crystal Pools Street Stock main event. The race was part of the raceway's special Thursday Night Thunder series.
Russel Enos came off the pole position and led the first five laps before Smith made his winning move and took the lead for good. Once his Chevrolet got its nose in Bakersfield clean air he was gone.
Puskarich, the 2004 Street Stock champion, is currently putting together an engine program for his full time NASCAR Late Model ride he plans to offcially debut later this season. With some time on his hands, he decided to do a little crew chiefing for his long time friend Smith. Prior to the race Puskarich said "watch the 99 tonight, it's going to fly."
In victory lane a very happy Smith said "it's been a long time, about eight years, since my brother and I won a championship. Greg Puskarich helped me set this thing up this week and it was a rocket man. We've been close on our set ups but just his extra little bit made all the difference in the world."
Paul Ebersbacher, Enos, Jason Niederriter and Randy Tucker completed the top five. In the preliminary events "Shooter" Shane Thomas won the trophy dash and Danny Pruitt won the heat race.
In Sports Compact action Robert Campos gave himself a belated 31st birthday present and won the 20 lap feature. He also became the series 4th different winner this year.
Steve Ayler led the 18 starters from his pole position and led the first 10 circuits before experiencing mechanical problems. Matt Surber led the next four laps before Campos made his winning move.
Lee Stoops, Surber and Keith Vandam followed him under the checkers. Stoops won the trophy dash earlier in the evening.
In victory lane an elated Campos said "I love this series, I love it to death. It was a pretty big fight to get to the front and it got kind of hairy for a second and I thought I wasn't going to make it there." Campos was driving a Volvo and wanted everyone to know that "old Volvos never die they just go racing."
