BAKERSFIELD, California -- Gary Elmore did what it took to win the 2002 NASCAR Late Model championship at Mesa Marin Raceway. Elmore, who trailed Gene Fife by two points entering tonight’s race had to finish at least one position in front of Fife to win his fifth championship at Mesa Marin. Elmore drove to his championship as he followed Mike Riale and sixteen year old Mike Mason across the line at the checkers with Fife in fifth. It was the first time anyone had moved past fife in the point standings since March 23rd.2002 Rookie-of-the-Year Eric Richardson was fourth.
It didn’t take Brandon Miller long before he was leading the NASCAR Super Late Model Coors Light Challenge Series 75-lap main event. Miller had to get by Tommy Fry, Kevin Thompson and Dan Holtz, but managed to get there by lap 11 and held the lead for the rest of the race. Everyone was watching for Mike Duncan to make his way to the front to challenge Miller. Duncan moved from 6th to 2nd behind Miller, but couldn’t get close enough to make a pass. Miller won his 6th race of the season and his 1st Mesa Marin Championship.
Duncan settled for 2nd followed by Fry, Holtz and Brandon Whitt. Jason Patison won the 2002 Rookie of the Year.
By winning his 11th main event of the season, Josh Horn earned his 2nd consecutive Mesa Marin Raceway Track Championship. Paul Ebersbacher took the lead until Paul Menees passed him on lap 10. Menees fought the fight to hold off Horn, but Horn was stronger in the turns and took over on lap 21. Colby Bankston finished 2nd followed by Menees, Shane Thomas and Brian Neufeld. Darren Reed outlasted Robby Price to pick up the 2002 Rookie of the Year for Street Stocks.
In the ChevronTexaco High School Racing Series Shafter High’s Matt Lindsay took a commanding lead and held it for all 15 lap winning their 4th race of the season. But all Tehachapi High had to do was finish to win the 2002 Championship and Nathan Nixon drove them to a 2nd place finish and the championship. Porterville’s Kyle Walsh had an early spin. Kern Valley’s Tyler Knowles was in the hunt, but had to settle for 4th when Chris Hillman of Mojave passed him for 3rd. Steven Daves of North took 5th followed by Jacquie Alexander of Delano.
Hal Grounder of the K.C. Superintendent of School won the AAA 911 Race for Youth Series main event. Grounder took the lead from the start and never gave it up. Darren Megowan of the K.C. Fire and Sheriff Norm Canby sparred for 2nd and 3rd with Megowan winning the battle. BPD’s Mark Moore finished 4th followed by Katy Houchin of the Park Rangers. The Chiefs will decide the Championship during the October Classic. Park Rangers are five points ahead of the County Fire Dept. with BPD a close 3rd.
October 19-20 will be the next and final events of the 2002 Mesa Marin Raceway Season. Check out the website at www.mesamarin.com for more information. Tickets are on sale now.
