Mike Duncan of Bakersfield scored the "Season Opener" NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model Stock Car 75 lap main event win at Mesa Marin Raceway tonight.
At the end of last season Mike Duncan knew a track championship was within reach but when the season abruptly ended, he had to settle for 3rd.
"Our team really became a team working together by the end of last season. And we’re still working together. Tonight’s proof. They gave me a great car to drive tonight. We’re starting things out right with a win and going for a championship," said an appreciative Duncan.
Although Dan Holtz set fast time with at 17.74 lap, Duncan started on the pole due to the invert draw. When the green flag called the action, Duncan jumped out front, but had Gary Collins of Bakersfield nipping at his tail for the first twelve laps. Holtz worked on Collins as the top four raced nose to tail with Jason Small in fourth.
On lap 34 Collins pitted under yellow, on the restart Holtz and Small got together sending Holtz into the turn one wall, with Small relegated to the rear of the field.
By lap 36 the top five had changed, except for Duncan who still held the lead followed by Barry Bradshaw, Steve Reves, Brian Branson, and Charlie Watler.
As the laps wound down, Small was making his way back to the front, and by lap 54 Small was third, with Duncan leading, Bradshaw in second, Brian Branson fourth and Bobby Aldridge in fifth.
With seven to go Small moves to second, but that is all he could do as Duncan went on to the main event win, Small second, Bradshaw third, followed by Branson and Aldridge.
In the California Asphalt Modified main event, Jimmy Tartagila of Reedley, CA made it his second main event win of 2000 at Mesa Marin.
Mike Riale won the Street Stock main, and Rick Pearce of Bakersfield piloted his Factory Honda CR 500 to the win in the Super TT Motorcycle Series 12 lap main.
USAC Sprint Cars headline next Saturday nights action at Mesa Marin Raceway. It will be the first time the USAC Sprints have ever competed at Mesa Marin.
