Bakersfield, CA – In five NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model events this season, five different drivers took home the winner’s trophy until tonight’s Memorial Day Classic presented by Williams Scotsman. Jason Small, who recently had a great top five finish in the NASCAR Winston West, won both 50-lap main events.
In the first 50, Dan Holtz posted top time, but it was Small, who sat on the pole next to Brandon Miller. Miller jumped to an early lead, but by lap 32, Small over-powered Miller and took the lead. Meanwhile, Holtz had to work his way through the field to finish 3rd behind points leader Miller.
In the second 50-lap Memorial Day main event, Miller started on the pole next to Jason Small. Holtz and Kevin Small were right behind them. Miller took the lead, but Holtz and Jason Small tried to make it 3-wide going into turn 4 and Miller ended up in the wall. NASCAR Officials determined Holtz needed to go to the rear while Miller went to the pits for the night.
The Small brothers were then 1st and 2nd with Craig Raudman close behind. On lap 21, Raudman tried to get past Kevin Small and when Small spun out, NASCAR officials again made the call that Small and Raudman had to go to the back.
Meanwhile, Holtz had been working his way back through the field and was able to over-take Bobby Aldridge, then Rod Johnson and with Small and Raudman gone he was in 2nd.
Holtz caught Jason Small and it was side by side action for seven laps until Holtz had to drop back and settle for 2nd place. Johnson and Aldridge took 3rd and 4th followed by Lance Wilson.
Aldridge picked up the Timberwolf Hard Charger Award of $200 for starting 13th and finishing 4th.
In the NASCAR Limited Late Models, Kevin Sevinich had the pole, but it was Tom Devitt who was hungry for the lead. By lap-11, he shot ahead and left Sevenich and Marlin Gill to battle Mike White and Gene Fife.
By lap-25 of 40, White and Fife had taken 2nd and 3rd Fife was able to power by White and then take the lead from Devitt by lap 31. And that’s the way it ended with Fife in the winner’s circle, Devitt 2nd and White 3rd.
In Street Stocks Billy Tucker shot to the front of the pack and the race was between 2nd and 3rd place Josh Robinson and Josh Horn. Several times it looked like Horn might have the power to get by Robinson, who held on for the 25-lap event. But it was Tucker’s Trophy.
In the 911 Race for Youth, the Bakersfield Fire Department Todd Payne was the #1 man tonight.
All year long, the Chevron High School teams have been getting their cars ready for the points series that will begin June 23. Tonight the teams ready to race selected advisors or school leadership to man the driver’s seat. Porterville’s Superintendent John Snavley and Alpaugh High Principal Mike Cadicamo raced the advisors Keith Sackowitz of North High, South High’s Joe McWhorter, Kern Valley’s Johnny George and Shafter’s Mark McCaslin. McCaslin won.
Next Saturday night the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Coors Light 125 and the Ultra Wheels Super Truck Series plus Limited Late Models, Street Stocks and 911s. Call Mesa Marin for ticket information and schedule.
