MIKE WHITE LATE MODEL WINNER/CARSON WOODS JR. WINS ULTRA WHEELS SUPER RUCKS

Source: Mesa Marin Raceway PR
Date: 09/01/2002

BAKERSFIELD, California -- NASCAR Late Model driver Mike White made his way to the winner’s circle for the 3rd time in 2002, as he held off point leaders Gene Fife and Gary Elmore to get there. White started on the pole and had the car to beat as he jumped out to an early lead. Mike Mason was pacing a close 2nd until he spun on lap 28 and headed for the garage. That opened the door for Fife, who was driving the wheels off his #7 trying to pick up this first win. Elmore was close behind looking for his third win of the year. At the checkers it was White, Fife settled for 2nd, followed by Elmore, Tom Devitt, and Mike Alexander. Fife extended his point lead by another point as he leads Elmore by six as we enter the final two points races.

In the Ultra Wheels Super Trucks Carson Woods, Jr. also started on the pole and finished in the winner’s circle. Woods strongest challenge came from Jim McGill, who started 12th and worked his way to the front as Greg Adler, Dave Blakenship, Joe Herald and Jon Campbell sparred for position. Adler was the first to go out. Then Campbell and Blankenship tangled on lap 68. Campbell was out for the race and Blankenship limped his way to a 11th place. Meanwhile, Herold hung on for a 3rd place while McGill gave it all he had, challenged Woods for the lead, got close several times, but had to back out and finally settle for 2nd place. Kevin O’Neil picked up 4th and Shawn Wolf finished 5th.

After Kern High School District Trustee Bryan Batey nudged Congressman Bill Thomas in practice, the field of elected officials in the “Real Political Race” knew it was going to be a real race with the 2-time defending champion not getting a walk in the park. Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan and Bakersfield City School’s Trustee Karen DeWalt started on the front row. Congressman Thomas, Scott Cox of the Scott Show and Batey started in the back. On the start the Congressman went high and gunned it and found himself in the lead by the third turn, just where he wanted to be, and didn’t give it up for the 12 lap main event. On a re-start after Batey went high in turn 3 Starr jumped ahead of Thomas, but it was a rookie mistake that put him in the rear. Batey made his way through the field and by the end of the race Cox had to settle for 2nd behind the Congressman, followed by Batey, Starr, Dennis Atkinson, President of the Kern County Farm Bureau, Sullivan and DeWalt.

Anthony Villafranca picked up the win for Kern Valley High School in the Chevron Texaco High School Racing Series. Villafranca got by Porterville’s Joey Everman on the start and put some distance between himself and the rest of the field. Shafter’s Matt Lindsay and Tehachapi’s Nathan Nixon were both hungry to get back up to the front and collect championship points. Chris Hillman of Mojave ran their best race ever picking up a 2nd place for the team. Shafter picked up a couple points ahead of points leader Tehachapi by finishing 3rd and 4th while Mike Bone of North came in 5th.

The Cal Spas Super TT Motorcycles was also part of Kern County Farm Bureau Night. In the Eliminator Trophy Dash, Bakersfield’s Rick Pearce claimed the trophy. But in the Open Main Event it was Argentina’s Leonard Bagnis who got the win. Casey Yarrow finished 2nd followed by David Hopfe. Pearce had to settle for 5th.

In the Sportsman Main Ed Coffey picked up the win, followed by Ernie Lyles, and Bruce Sellers.

Next Saturday the NASCAR Late Models, Super Late Models, Street Stocks, and ChevronTexaco High School return along with the 911 Race for Youth Series. Action begins at 7:30 with general admission $9 and kids 12 and under free.

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