August 3, 2002 – Mesa Marin Raceway – Ron Daniel won his 3rd NASCAR Late Model Main event of the season and joined an elite group of drivers, including Kevin Harvick to win a Big Five Series event. Mike Alexander and Gary Elmore started on the front, but it was fast qualifier and new track record holder, Mike Riale who took the lead by lap 33 in the Rick-Pac Motorsports #4. On a restart, Riale missed a shift and Alexander plowed the rear of the #4, spinning Riale and sending Alexander to the pit with a leaking radiator.
Elmore took the point but it was soon to be Daniel in charge as he led the field to the line for the win. Elmore was second and cut Gene Fife’s point lead to only 5, 648 to 643. John Atwood was third, followed by Danny Collins and Bobby Aldridge.
NASCAR Street Stocks’ points leader Josh Horn extended his lead towards another championship and a trip to Daytona in 2003. David Hutchins, Jr., who won the earlier trophy dash, could not chase Horn down and had to settle for 2nd. Darren Reed got 3rd followed by Colby Bankston, who recently turned 16 and finished his first night of racing with a 4th placed. Robby Price got 5th.
Anthony Forta picked up a trophy dash win and main event win as the American Truck Series debuted at Mesa Marin in 2002. He took the lead from the start and held on for the 50-lap main event. Behind him Jeff Williams and Aaron Staudinger battled for position for several laps. Staudinger won the battle and finished 2nd, Terry Young worked his way to 3rd followed by Michael May and Mike Pennington.
Kern Valley High took an early lead in the ChevronTexaco High School Racing Series, but it wasn’t too many laps into the 12-lap main event that Shafter’s Matt Lindsay chased him down. Lindsay stayed out front to win Shafter’s 3rd of the season with Rick Fife of Tehachapi behind him. Chris Hillman gave Mojave their best finish of the season with 3rd, followed by Mike Bone of North and Stacie Childers driving for Monache. Childers also sang the National Anthem tonight.
Bakersfield Fire Dept. Derek Tisinger jumped from 5th to 2nd place by the first turn. He then had to get around Bucky Tucker of the Kern County Fire Dept. and that wasn’t easy. Sean Underhill was able to get around Park Ranger Chad Cornelson, who took a wild ride over the Super TT Motorcycle jump. Underhill finished 3rd followed by Cornelson and Corky Carroll of the K.C. Building Dept.
Mesa Marin is dark for 3 Saturday nights. August 31 the Kern County Farm Bureau will present the NASCAR Late Models, Ultra Wheels Super Trucks, Street Stocks, 911s and the ChevronTexaco High School Series. General Admission is $9 and Kids 12 and under are free.
