The BCRA midget lite division completed a successful season that mixed new drivers with seasoned veterans, at six different speedways. Doug Nunes, of Kingsburg, driving for Lopez Motorsports, prevailed for his third championship in a row, but it was not easy.
Nunes opened the season with a win at Marysville, to continue on from his 08 success. The number 10, of Brian Corso again thrilled the crowd with his rim riding, but could not make that one pass he needed for the win, and Justin Grant took an invitation ride from Lonnie Lopez to finish second.
A full moon was out at the next event in Placerville, where #76 Joey Hoover showed the way to the checker, with one of the finest performances of his career. I asked him after the race what he was thinking as the last lap approached. He said “I hope nothing breaks”. His luck held out, and had a problem in turn two after the checker. Nunes finished fourth, as #6 Rick Holbrook finished second and #9 Chris Glass third.
The #9 Red Hawk Casino entry driven by Chris Glass entered the winners circle at Antioch for race number three, after chasing down the#11x of Jason Sneep, who finished second. Up and coming #35jr Dakota Albright was third followed by #8 of Pete Paulson.
The balance of the division was showing in the first three races.
Race number 4 took the Lites back to Marysville, where 11x Jason Sneep finally got his Lonnie Lopez machine into the winners circle. Sneep had been in the chase all season, with Larry Lavattiata and his dad John Sneep, as his crew chiefs. Brian Corso moved up from his previous finish at Marysville to finish second, followed by Nunes and Paulson.
Four races produced four different main event winners to reflect the balance and of cars and drivers in the Lites. The competition created exciting racing.
A 100 degree day and evening was in store at Placerville for race number 5 of the season. Jason Sneep, and his crew, were on a roll as the track went dry slick, and his set up gave him win number two. Brian Corso was again a bride’s maid, finishing second and Scott Kinney wheeled the #11 Lonnie Lopez entry to third, followed by Albright.
Race 6 took the Lites to the bull ring at Lemoore for the first time. It was the first and only time the Lites had the opportunity to qualify in the season. The bull ring was a handful for drivers used to the big tracks. Cory Ballard, visiting from the So Cal Lightning Sprints took the win, BUT was 6 lbs light at the scales (less than a gallon of fuel) and the race was awarded to #35jr Dakota Albright, producing the 5th different main event winner of the season. Pete Paulson, Chris Glass, and Brian Corso followed Albright to the line.
Returning to Antioch, Sneep continued his domination, winning his third main event. Nunes, Glass and Albright were in the mix, but there is only one spot at the top and Sneeps crew was hitting the set up.
11x Jason Sneep and #1 Doug Nunes are team mates, but Nunes told me he is tired of finishing second. He had to endure that pain again for race number 7 at Placerville as Sneep took his fourth main of the season. Sneep and Nunes battled with Chris Glass looking on followed by Albright.
