May 25, 2002 – Mesa Marin Raceway – Seven races – seven winners so far in the NASCAR Late Model Series at Mesa Marin in 2002. In the tonight’s “76 Race Gas Big Five Series presented by Grapevine Oil & Fastrip Food Stores” 76-lap main event it was Mike Riale’s turn to visit the Mesa Marin Winner’s Circle. Riale started the night out by setting a new one-lap track record at 19.813, which gave him an 7th starting position. Riale then had to march through a tough contingent of competitors that included Bobby Aldridge, Ron Daniel, Brian Richardson, Shane Thompson, Gary Elmore and Gene Fife.
Riale took the lead on lap 38, but felt the pressure from runner up Elmore all the way to the checkers. Fife was third followed by Thompson and Richardson. had to get around Gene Fife and Gary Elmore. By lap 38 he took the lead, but then had to fend off challenge after challenge from Gary Elmore. Meanwhile Fife and Brian Richardson were fighting for 3rd and 4th position with Shane Thompson moving up to challenge both of them. By lap 76 Riale had his win, followed by Elmore, Fife, Thompson and Richardson.
In the NASCAR Super Late Models Brandon Miller was the first driver of the season to repeat a win and he made it two in a row. Miller was able to take an early lead in the 50-lap Coors Light Challenge. Point leader Mike Duncan moved to second by halfway, but could not run down Miller. Kevin Small finished 3rd with Jeremy Salamacha in 4th.
In the NASCAR Street Stocks Josh Horn made it 4-wins in a row. David Hutchins came in 2nd followed by Lloyd Wren,
The full-moon race of the night was the 911 Race For Youth Series. Ken Hammer of the KC Superintendent of Schools seemed to have the field covered, but John Houchin driving for the Park Rangers was fast enough to catch him. Once by, Hammer went low to get around Houchin, but Houchin blocked and Hammer made contact. Both had to park the cars in the pits. Meanwhile the Bakersfield Fire Department’s Al Neuman and Bakersfield Police Department’s David Brantley were battling position behind them. Neuman went into the wall and Brantley inherited the lead, followed by CHP Greg Johannesen.
Next week the NASCAR Late Models have Twin Main Events, plus 911s, Street Stocks, and SRL Maax Lites / CAM SuperModified Series return. Gates open at 6pm, racing at 7:30. General Admission is $9 with Kids 12 and under free.
