Bakersfield, CA - The battle lines were drawn between D.J. Ferriera of San Jacinto and points leader Steve Smith of Escondido. Ferriera held off Smith for several contested laps even though Smith had won at Mesa Marin every outing this season. Then with just a couple of laps left to go Ferriera lost ground and Smith took advantage and passed him. Steve Smith won his 4th Mesa Marin win of the season.
Ferreira, Joe Herold of Poway, Nathan Wulff of Escondido and Steve Stanton of City of Commerce rounded out the top five in the "Davenport Sweeping Service 100."
Jim McGill was fast time for the night, but due to an invert draw started mid-pack, got caught in an early altercation, had to pit and made progress to the front, but ended up in the 2nd turn wall after about 30 laps.
Bakersfield's Jeremy Salamacha put in his most impressive race of the season. Starting 4th he worked his way quickly up to 2nd and held the position for 26 laps until a tire went down and Steve Smith ran over him to take the position. He tried to return to finish the race, but couldn't sustain the 100 lap feature.
Nathan Wulff of Escondido started on the pole and held onto his lead for 3/4 of the race until Steve Smith and Ferreira powered by him to begin their battle for the top positions. Wulff finished an impressive 4th.
In other action, Mike Alsup regained his points lead over Kevin Vernon and Mike Duncan by winning the "EasyCare 50." Duncan took an early lead over Greg Pursley, but on the 4th lap they collided into the Turn 2 wall and both went to the garage for the night. That left Vernon and Alsup batting for the lead, then Vernon headed for the pits with a bad shock and he was out for the night. Dan Holtz's #16 just didn't seem to have anything to really challenge Alsup's #61. Barry Bradshaw was able to take the #2 position from Holtz with several laps left in the EasyCare 50. Bobby Aldridge and Brian Branson rounded out the top five.
In the 911 Race for Youth the Bakersfield Police Department race car driven by Steve Humphreys jumped to an early lead and domininated the 10-lap main event. Noe Reyna of the Bakersfield City Fire took second, followed by Heidi Dinkler of the Kern County Fire, Rick Campbell of the CHP and Pete Pinto of the Kern County Sheriff.
In a special feature, the 911 Race Cars were driven by elected officials that oversee the department's participation in the 19-race series. Supervisor Ken Peterson, the veteran of the group, was able to power his way from the back to take the lead and the win in the Kern County Sheriff's car. City Councilwoman Pat Demond took 2nd in the Bakersfield Fire Car, former Bakersfield Police Chief and current Mayor Bob Price came in 3rd and Supervisor Pete Parra came in 4th. Parra was followed by the CHP car driven by Marion Collins, creator of the 911 series and trainer of the elected officials, "I was just nudging them along," said Collins, "to make sure they all finished and had a good time."
In the Campus Motorsports High School Series, Josh Robinson representing North High Motorsports came in first by getting out front quickly. Kern Valley Broncs gave them a run, but bobbled the car and lost momentum.Charles Faubus of Centennial finished 3rd and Fernanco Castro of South finished 4th.
Next Saturday night is Winston Fan Appreciation Night. Coupons for a "Buy One Adult Ticket and Get One Free" will be available Monday at participating Fastrip Food Stores. The coupon also has an entry to win a session with Dan Holtz CARS Race Driving School. Races begin at 7:30. Tickets are $8 with Children 12 and under free.
Results of the Winston Late Model Main Event:
61 Michael Alsup, 13 Barry Bradshaw, 16 Dan Holtz, 2 Brian Branson, 81 JrJones, 59 Steve Reaves, 73 Donnie Davis, 55 Travis Ward, 51 Kevin Vernon, 21Jeremy Salamacha, 9 Mike Duncan and 98 Greg Pursley.
Top-Five in the Points of the Winston Late Model
61 Michael Alsup 512, 51 Kevin Vernon 496, 9 Mike Duncan 491, 26 Bobby Aldridge 360, 13 Barry Bradshaw
Results of the Ultra Wheel Spec Trucks
8 Steve Smith, 31 D J Ferreira, 15 Joe Herrold, 72 Nathan Wulff, 37 Steve Stanton, 58 Scott Calvin, 42 Vince Little,12B Joe Bean, 77SGreg Adler, 08 Michael Brusco, 76 Darren Michels, 41 BRIAN Brian Harris, 28 Russ Loftin, 95 Dan Moore,18 Bill Helgeson, 25 Jon Campbell, 38 Kevin O'Neil, 14 Craig Deck, 5 Larry Hinderman, 36 Rick Cameron, 88S Curtis Mallins, 30 Tony Vanillo, 45 Steve Gorey, 34 Dennis Murphy, 22, Gene Woods, 7 Jim McGill, 21 Jeremy Salamacha
