BAKERSFIELD, California — Scott Dobson became the fourth different winner in six NMRA-TQ Midget features this season in a multi-division program Saturday at the third-mile clay Bakersfield Speedway. The Newbury Park resident started from pole position and led all 25 laps in his own No. 18 Rick Stewart/750cc Honda.
Brian Baker, the series 2010 rookie of the year, started seventh in his own Dennis Hart-built chassis with a Clerc 750cc Honda power-plant and earned second spot. He increased his 2011 TQ series point lead from 10 to 18 points over West Evans, who started fifth and finished third. Ron Ahrendt came home fourth after starting third. Rookie Michael Black, 22, came from ninth to earn fifth in his Hart/Clerc Honda.
Chuck West started and finished sixth and was the last driver to complete all 25 laps. Rick Poe, a 72-year old 1960s TQ racing veteran, returned to action recently and ran 24 laps after starting tenth (last). Adam Baker and Dakota Schweitzer were in the DNF column. Second starter Dave Lambert ran all 25 laps, but his car was disqualified and placed last in the official finish.
Evans and West won the two five-car, eight-lap heat races after both drivers started third. All five drivers in each heat logged eight laps. Former 410 sprint car driver Bobby Michnowicz won the California Lightning Sprint main event in the other open-wheel division action. The next two NMRA-TQ races will be held at the club's home track in Bakersfield on Saturday nights, August 6 and 20.
Summary:
Heat 1 – West Evans, Brian Baker, Ron Ahrendt, Scott Dobson, Rick Poe.
Heat 2 – Chuck West, Dakota Schweitzer, Dave Lambert, Adam Baker, Michael Black.
Main – Dobson, B. Baker, Evans, Ahrendt, Black, West, Poe, A. Baker, Schweitzer, DQ-Lambert
