The season opener at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield (Calif.) was a busy one. The Late Models had 17 cars entered. Making themselves home in the Turn One area of the pits were the very quick California Asphalt Modifieds (CAM) Series, the TT Super Motorcycles staked out Turn Two and the Street Stocks and the 911 Race For Youth Series were working hard on the back stretch of the pits.
One of the biggest challenges and goal of every team is beating the track record. Breaking the Late Model Qualifying record is not going to be easy to do this season. The cars will qualify earlier than last year. Dan Holtz came darn close though, turning in an 18.749 with the track record an 18.705. Now we will wait until April 22nd when they have another shot at it and you can believe these drivers are determined to show they can break it, regardless of how the track or weather is.
Track announcer, Sully, made several references to the tires. So if "Sully Says" this has to be important. The rule is Late Models can purchase 6 tires opening day, 4 the next race, and 3 each race after. Now, don't hold me on it. I think that is what I heard :)
Two NASCAR Winston West drivers, Jason Small and Mike Duncan, are going to be doubling down this season, running both the West schedule and the run for the Mesa Marin Track Championship. There is one conflicting date on the schedule, April 22 when the West runs at LVMS and the Late Models run their second event at Mesa. Both drivers are determined to do their best to run The Orleans 150 in the day at Vegas and be back in Bakersfield in time for the Saturday night Late Model event…unless one of them gets lucky at Vegas and wins the thing!
Missing from the Late Models this season are the 1st and 2nd place finishers from last season; Kevin Vernon who may be pursuing a Tour ride and Michael Alsup who is taking time off to spend with his family.
Kevin Small was busy riding bulls and roping steers when younger brother, Jason, was too young to even think about racing. A three time state champion in team roping/steer wrestling among other honors, the older Small left the rodeo and spent his time helping build the family business. That is until he saw how much fun Jason was having in the cars. Now Kevin will be sharing Jason's crew chief and crew and running the Late Models to gain seat time and most importantly to have fun. Saturday's late model was his 3rd start.
Bobby Aldrich had some of the best oranges I ever had in his pit. Brought down from Porterville, one of the team members said it was too expensive for the grower to pay to have someone pick them, so he was just giving them away. Aldrich starts the season with a slew of sponsors…Pizza Market, Adelhelm Custom Homes, White Lane Automotive, Valley Boats, Longs Drugs, Coors Lite, Sun Valley Oil and Quality Diesel. This is Aldrich's 5th year at Mesa. He began racing quads and mini sprints, then moved to the late model dirt track at Bakersfield and ran there for a couple of years before coming to Mesa Marin. Aldrich finished 4th in the points last season, has won a number of heats and turned in a career best 2nd at the track. Not bad for a team that has been running on a very tight budget. His goal this season is to win one and finish with a top-three in the points.
Dan Holtz has Ken Thompson Inc. on board with him. They are a worldwide general engineering contractor for sewer and storm drains. Also along for the ride is Cal Spas, a local Bakersfield retailer of swimming pools and spas. Holtz turned in his impressive time in an old car. They are looking to get the record next time out. With a new car set to be finished the next time the Late Models compete, let's just say they are on a mission.
Steve Wilson of Fast Time Signs did an awesome job on decaling about half the Late Model field. Wilson is also involved in a car at the other Bakersfield track. Shane Thompson and Chris Dalton, crew members from the Small Motorsports Team, share driving duties in the car. The trio has had its share of bad luck, but they will get that Chevy Lumina competitive again! There is certainly no shortage of fans to cheer them on.
Bugs Bunny was at the track courtesy of Time Warner to present the joint Mesa Marin/Time Warner Ace Award to the students. He was a busy bunny and a popular one with the kids. Now how many tracks can you go to and find Bugs Bunny sitting in the stands?
As for the racing -- it was spectacular! Every series put on a show. There just wasn't enough time to talk to all the talent in the Late Models, Street Stocks, CAM and 911 Series. Let me tell you those TT Motorcycles are insane. They seemed to do most of their passing in the air flying over bales of hay. The 911 had the sheriff riled up flipping on his lights when a car went spinning by. The Street Stocks put on a door-to-door go-for-it-all no holds barred race that had fans on their feet more than on their seat. The CAMs were bad fast around the track. There was one scary moment when a car exploded into flames on the front stretch. The driver that came down from Canada for the event was able to climb out of the vehicle to the relief of the fans.
And the Late Models were action, action, and action. There were challenges all over the track; the No. 7 was all over the No. 9, the No. 24 was all over the No. 2 and the No. 14 and the No. 16 had a strong battle that resulted in a spin. But….it was all good and it was what the fans came to see. Good, hard racing!
Congratulations to all the winners! But most of all congratulations to all the competitors! What a show!!! It was worth the drive! I can't wait to do it again.
