BAKERSFIELD, California -- Atascadero, California's David Mayhew picked up his sixth NASCAR Late Model win of 2004, September 2nd, at Bakersfield's Mesa Marin Raceway. The event was part of the raceway's "Thursday Night Thunder" program.
Heat races determined the line up for the 50 lap feature and Mayhew made quick work of displaying total dominance, from his front row starting spot, and led all 50 laps. The only time the field really got close to Mayhew were the two restarts following yellow caution flags.
Bakersfield's Josh Horn, Mayhew's season long rival in the points standings, chased the race leader during all 50 laps to finish second. Bakersfield's Michael Burrow and Eric Richardson were third and fourth while Darren Blanton rounded out the top five.
In victory lane Mayhew said his tires were wearing at the end of the race but his Victory Circle Chassis package was a big help on re establishing his lead during the two restarts.
When asked about the prospect of winning a NASCAR Late Model points championship in his rookie season Mayhew replied "we've got to be thinking about it, but we're trying to run one race at a time. The car ran great tonight. It got a little push there towards the end. Josh Horn started running us down but we got good restarts. I can't thank my sponsors enough and all the guys on the crew did a great job."
Bakersfield's David Hutchins held off one furious challenge after the other to win the 30 lap street stock feature. Randy Tucker led the starters under the initial green flag but his lead only lasted one lap after spinning in turn three where he was hit on the left side by Anthony Gillespie who had no place to go.
On the restart Bakersfield's Jason Devries paced the field with Hutchins right on his bumper. The pair of street stockers staged a torrid duel and swapped the lead four times in 15 laps. By lap 18 Greg Puskarich had moved up, from his middle of the field starting spot, to third and joined the leaders.Everyone was ready for a showdown between Hutchins and Puskarich because the two drivers have been in a skin tight battle for the points lead all season long.
Then all of a sudden Puskarich got caught up in what's commonly referred to as a racing deal. He was no sooner a factor in the race when he found himself spinning on the backstretch after getting tapped in the bumper by "Shooter" Shane Thomas. During the yellow flag laps a very angry Puskarich roared around the track looking for Thomas and delivered a tap on his driver's door to express his displeasure over the racing deal.
The green flag returned for roughly a quarter lap when "Shooter" Shane fired another shot. This time he got into the rear bumper of race leader Devries and sent him spinning through turn two. Sadly, the Devries car wouldn't restart and had to be pushed to the pits ending what could have been an outstanding night. Meanwhile Thomas was parked on the frontstretch listening to some testimony from a NASCAR Weekly Racing Series official. Moments later, Thomas ended up parking his car behind the pit wall.
With a another green flag restart, and the restoration of calm demeanors, Hutchins made quick work of running out the final nine laps to take his sixth win of the season. For the second time in 30 laps Puskarich, again, roared through the field and took over second on the final circuit. Paul Ebersbacher, Howie Smith and Matt Eldridge rounded out the top five.
In victory lane a very happy Hutchins said "we just got a transmission put into the car today so we were late getting to the track. The car really didn't handle that well but Puskarich had a little bad luck, and I hated to see that happen, but we really needed it."
Commenting on the late race charge from Puskarich, Hutchins said "that guy has been awesome. That car was running so good he came from the back to the front in just a few laps. I just couldn't believe it."
Mesa Marin's motorcycle divisions, the Cal Spas Super TT Moto, were also part of the evening. Josh Chisum won the Open Pro Division main event followed by Rick Pearce and Leo Bagnis. The Open Amateur main was won by Josh Jackson with David Lucas and Bryson Hoppe taking second and third
