Ryan Dumas Goes Back-to-Back With SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Win at Barona
2025-09-18 13:32
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El Cajon, CA — September 17, 2025 — After going winless in his first five starts of the season, defending SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Ryan Dumas has found his groove. The El Cajon racer scored his second straight main event victory last Saturday night at Barona Speedway, outdueling teenage upstart Tyler Warner, who recorded a career-best runner-up finish in the 20-lap feature.
At the drop of the green, Warner of Alpine shot into the early lead from the pole with Dumas, point leader Peter Benker of Alpine, and "Shugah" Shane Sexton in close pursuit. Youngster Warner, who cut his teeth years ago in Barona's kids' divisions, showed no signs of inexperience as he quickly stretched his advantage.
Disaster struck on lap four when Sexton was clobbered by another car in turn four, ending his night with heavy suspension damage. The yellow erased Warner's lead and stacked the field with Dumas, Benker, Deejay Dumas, and Parker Dumas all ready to pounce.
Unfazed, Warner once again bolted away on the restart, pulling out to a commanding margin by lap eight. But when Parker Dumas retired to the infield on lap 11, the complexion of the race began to change. His brother Ryan steadily reeled in the leader, setting up a thrilling chase.
On lap 15, Ryan closed the gap entering turn one, and moments later in turn four, Warner slid off the bottom. Dumas seized the opening and powered into the lead, never looking back.
Driving the AG Sand Cars/Jamul Casino/Outhouse Coffee/Down South Motorsports/Triple X #80, Dumas cruised to the checkered flag for a comfortable win. Warner held strong for a career-best second, while Benker's third-place finish helped tighten his grip on the championship hunt. Deejay Dumas finished fourth, with Brent Horn of El Cajon rounding out the top five.
Moving from eight on the start to a fifth place finish, Horn was the main event Hard Charger.
"The leader was not making it easy," Dumas told the crowd after the race. "I was thinking that maybe I was going to have to settle for second place. I think just maybe we were getting a little worn out. I just got a little better line, and I was able to get around him. I was worn out, too."
"I would like to thank my dad first of all," he continued. "Layton Kramer, all my family, my girlfriend and all her family, my grandparents, AG Sandcars, Jamul Casino, Outhouse Coffee, Downsouth Motorsports, and everyone who helps on the car."
In preliminary action, Sexton bested Warner and Deejay Dumas in the first heat. Peter Benker won the second heat over his son Cody and Ryan Dumas.
With just two races left in the 2025 season — the October 11th wingless event at Barona and the October 25th winged finale at Barona — Peter Benker holds a 118-point advantage over his son Cody in the championship chase. Landon Dalton sits third in the standings, while Deejay Dumas and Warner round out the top five.
September 13 Barona Speedway Results
Heat #1: 1. Shane Sexton, 2. Tyler Warner, 3. Deejay Dumas, 4. Parker Dumas, 5. Landon Dalton
Heat #2: 1. Peter Benker, 2. Cody Benker, 3. Ryan Dumas, 4. Brent Horn, 5. Kelly Weitzel
Main Event - 20 Laps (With Starting Positions
1. Ryan Dumas, San Diego, CA (2nd)
2. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA (1st)
3. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA (3rd)
4. Deejay Dumas, El Cajon, CA (6th)
5. Brent Horn, El Cajon, CA (8th)
6. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA (5th)
7. Kelly Weitzel, El Cajon, CA (10th)
8. Landon Dalton, San Diego, CA (9th)
9. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA (7th)
10. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA (4th)
SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars Series Points
1. Peter Benker … 1094
2. Cody Benker … 976
3. Landon Dalton … 961
4. Deejay Dumas … 916
5. Tyler Werner … … 899
6. Shane Sexton … 892
7. Ryan Dumas … 790
8. Kelly Weitzel … 770
9. Jason Arnolde … 752
10. Parker Dumas … 704
Official SCLS shirts and caps are now available for purchase at the track or online via the SCLS website or their Facebook page.
The SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank the following marketing partners for participating in the inaugural season. AG Sandcars, Triple X Race Cars, American Racer Tires, Outhouse Coffee, and Cakes By Kim/Betty Crocker's Pit Stop. If you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with SCLS, contact Dustin Dumas at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.
SCLS President Dustin Dumas is also the proprietor of AG Sandcars. He sells and builds lightning sprints and is a supplier of Triple X Cars, American Racer Tires, and racing components. Anyone interested in racing lightning sprints can contact him at (619) 992-8308 or mailto:info@socallightningsprints.com.
2025 SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Winners
3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway (Winged) - Parker Dumas
3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway (Winged) - Parker Dumas
4/26/25 Barona Speedway (Winged) - Rained Out
5/10/25 Barona Speedway (Non Wing) - Jeff Dyer
6/7/25 Barona Speedway (Winged) - Shane Sexton
7/19/25 Barona Speedway (Winged) - Peter Benker
8/1/25 Barona Speedway So Cal Summer Showdown (Winged) - Eric Greco
8/2/25 Barona Speedway So Cal Summer Showdown (Winged) - Jeff Dyer
8/16/25 Barona Speedway (Non Wing) - Ryan Dumas
9/13/25 Barona Speedway (Winged) - Ryan Dumas
10/11/25 Barona Speedway (Non Wing)
10/25/25 Barona Speedway (Winged)
SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions
2024 Ryan Dumas
This release was produced by Scott Daloisio mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or call (909) 226-7768.