Crestline, California's Sean Bennett turned out to be the surprise winner of a 40 lap West Coast Pro Truck main event. The August 7th race, presented by Best Western-Crystal Palace Inn and Suites, was held at Bakersfield's Mesa Marin Raceway.
The big element of surprise came when race leader Chris Johnson failed to restart following a red flag late in the race. Johnson, from Claremont-California, set the fast time in qualifying and lined up in the pole position alongside Bennett. Johnson was strong from the start and completely dominated the first 38 laps. Only during three caution flags, and restarts, did Bennett get close to Johnson's Ford.
Johnson's night unraveled on lap 38 when the fourth, and final, caution flag flew and then turned in a red flag. Going into turn one the Ford of Jeff Williams lost an engine and dumped oil on the track. The Chevrolet of Bud Carlson hit that oil, spun sideways and then hit the turn two wall with a savage hit. The Chevrolet of Ryan Black was also invovled in the melee. Carlson was uninjured but his truck was completely destroyed.
Once the track was cleared and cleaned, the West Coast Pro Truck drivers were given the command to restart their engines and resume the race. Much to everyone's amazement Johnson's Ford would not refire and he had to pushed into the pits. Following the race he explained that they elected to use a new style of battery and disconnected the truck's altenator.
Johnson's demise gave Bennett the race lead and he made quick work of running out the green-white-checker finish to earn the right to park his Bennett Excavation Chevrolet into Mesa Marin's victory lane. During the post race interview Bennett said he hated the way that things turned out for Johnson and would have preferred to race it out. In a very classy move, Johnson came to victory lane to give the winner his congratulations.
The Chevrolets of Brian Pannone and Richie Altman finished second and third, Jim Satterfield's Ford was fourth while Mike Young's Chevrolet rounded out the top five.
