BAKERSFIELD, California -- In the first of the Twin 40’s – fast qualifier Ron Daniel drove from the sixth starting position to his second main event win of 2002. Daniel had to run down pole sitter Gary Elmore after Elmore drove away from the field for the first half of the 40 lapper. Gene Fife, Marlin Gill and Mike White rounded out the top five.
In the second 40, Marlin Gill scored his first career win at Mesa Marin and became the eleventh driver to claim a main event win in 2002. Gill earned his win by making aggressive moves toward the front past third place finisher Jeff Lay and runner up Tom Devitt. Elmore and Bobby Aldridge rounded out the top five.
Josh Horn enjoyed another win extending his points lead in the NASCAR Street Stocks. Brian Neufeld led to the mid-way point and fought hard to fend off Horn’s #13. Neufeld finished 2nd followed by Darren Reed, Shane Thomas and David Hutchings, Jr.
Former Champion Jimmy Tartaglia picked up his first win of the season in the SRL Maax Lites/CAM SuperModifieds. “It’s been a long wait for this one,” said team members as they celebrated with Tartaglia. AJ Russell finished 2nd followed by Al Haasney, Bobby Dalton and Darrell Herzog.
In the 911 Race For Youth Series Richard Watson took home the winning trophy for the Park Rangers. It took Watson more than ˝ the race and a detour through the turn 4 grass to get past Sheriff Glenn Blake-Lobb and Kern County Fire Dept.’s Buck Tucker and take the lead. His biggest challenge came from BPD’s Martin Willey, who finished 2nd followed by Tucker, Vicki Underwood of the County Building Dept. and CHP’s Marvin Casey. However, the driver to watch tonight was Pepsi’s Scott Dilley. He moved up aggressively and sometimes in control as far as 3rd place, but a couple of rookie mistakes took him out of contention at the finish.
Tyler Knowles took the checkered for Kern Valley High. It was their first win of the season. Not only did they win the trophy, but Sears donated a large set of Craftsman Tools to the winning team. Delano’s Anthony Villafranca was able to pass Porterville’s Chris Wells to take 2nd. Wells finished 3rd followed by Jose Vera of Tehachapi and Andy Troxell of North.
Next Saturday night Best Western and True Value present the NASCAR Late Models, Super Late Models, Street Stocks, 911s, and the ChevronTexaco High School Series. Plus Washington Mutual and members of the Downtown Business Association will help put 100,000 coins on the front straight to be collected by Kids 12 and under. Many more prizes some worth over $200 will be offered. Gates open at 6. Racing begins at 7:30. General Admission is $9 with kids 12 and under free.
