It was a full night of NASCAR action at Mesa Marin Raceway and competition was hot. Double points were at stake in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model "Gatorade Twin 50s." The championship points lead could have changed several times during the evening between Bakersfield’s Kevin Vernon, Mike Alsup, and Mike Duncan, however, Vernon was able to control only half of them which was enough for him to control the lead for the championship.
In the first Gatorade Twin 50, NASCAR Winston West driver Jason Small started on the pole due to a lucky draw, but he was strong enough to get out front and stay there for the rest of the race. Duncan seemed to have the power to take Small, but he had to race Vernon and Alsup to get to the front and he ran out of time. Duncan had to settle for 2nd followed by Vernon, Alsup and Dan Holtz of Pacific Palisades.
In the 2nd Late Model battle of the evening Vernon was able to get out front and although Duncan and Alsup challenged him all 50 laps he was after the win. Holtz took 4th followed by Bobby Aldridge.
In Modified Stocks Danny Collins had to duel Dave Howell of Rosamond and Gene Fife of Tehachapi, but was able to get his 7th win of the season. Fife finished 2nd, Howell 3rd followed by Vic Posey of Taft and Ralph Morgan of Ridgecrest.
In the Street Stocks one point separated Mike Alexander and Daren Blanton going into tonight’s main event. Blanton was able to move to first by lap #3, but Alexander was on the chase. By lap 14 he was on Blanton’s bumper and by 15 they were side-by-side. They raced each other for four laps until Alexander got just a nose ahead of Blanton, but then they were side-by-side until Blanton faltered and dropped a car length back and could could only maintain the position. They finished 1st and 2nd making them ready for another race for the points when they return in two weeks. Mike White took 3rd followed by Mike Riale and Billy Tucker.
In the Campus Motorsports High School Series, the Broncs Motorsports team of Kern Valley had crashed their car last week, but were able to put another car on the track with a lot of help from their friends and families and supporters. It was a sweet victory when they made it all the way to the winner’s circle and an emotional win for all of them since they had been working on the car since 7am last Sunday morning and the entire community helped them put it back together again. Anthony Gillespie was their driver followed by Josh Robinson from North, Kris Clifton of Centennial and Nick Thomas of South High.
In the 911 Race For Youth, Noe Reyna from the Bakersfield Fire Dept. was able to take the checkered although he had to come back from spins twice during the 12 lap main event. The Kern County Fire Department took the lead at the beginning with Dave Stahl, but he and Randy Moe of the BPD tangled and the CHP with Rick Hammell gained the position, but pitted. Passing Dusty Rhoads of the Sheriff’s, Moe and Stahl tangled again giving the advantage to Reyna who stole 1st and the win.
Mary Vernon won the Women’s Series after Carol Jordan spun and let her take 1st position. She never looked back and although Sally Irwin and Michelle Kelley tried to move up to challenge her they could catch her.
Next week HADDAD Dodge presents the Ultra Wheel SPEC Truck "Elk Roofing 100" plus Modified Stocks, High School, and 911 Race for Youth. As a special feature the Chiefs from the California High Patrol, Bakersfield Police, Kern County Sheriff and Fire, and Bakersfield Fire will ran for the 2nd time this season. Ron Fraze, Chief of the BFD, won in June. Racing begins at 7:30 with heats at 6:30. Tickets are $8 with children 12 and under free.
