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  YOSHIMURA R&D JOINS CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT SERIES

  (Torrance, CA, May 17, 2022) California Lightning Sprint Car Series president Jon Robertson is pleased to announce that Yoshimura R&D has signed on to be an associate sponsor for the series in 2022. The famous company has been building quality racing products for over half a century. 280311852_5489827904394824_3133748023766213981_n.jpg A.J. Bender's winning Yoshimura-powered California Lightning Series Sprint Car. Last week's CLS race at the Bakersfield Speedway was the first for Yoshimura as a marketing partner with the CLS. Ironically, San Diego, California's A.J. Bender won the main event in the Mike Schweitzer owned, Yoshimura powered #41. It was his third win (two with the CLS and one with BCRA in Northern California) in four starts in 2022. "California Lightning Sprints is proud to welcome Yoshimura R&D as an associate sponsor for the 2022 season," Robertson said. "This is exciting news! Yoshimura R&D brings world-class engine-building expertise to the club and is based right here in Southern California." Located 30-miles east of Los Angeles in Chino, Yoshimura is a reasonable drive time for nearly all the teams currently competing in the CLS. The friendly company offers packages and services to match the customer's horsepower needs and budgets. They will be happy to rebuild a racer's current engine or start with a fresh crate engine from Japan. "We do not simply throw in a big cam, bump up the compression, and create a time bomb - We build power at self-sustaining, balanced levels, because all the power in the world means nothing if you can't finish." "From personal experience, I've found the folks at Yoshimura to be knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely nice people," said Robertson who has a Yoshimura powerplant in his #42. "I look forward to the California Lightning Sprints representing Yoshimura R&D at all our events this year. Our very own AJ Bender has already won two main events this season with a Yoshimura R&D built motor, and we look forward to expanding this success within the club this year. I am now personally running their motors as well and I believe others are on the way." For teams looking to expand their power and get more reliability, Yoshimura's website is available at the following link https://www.yoshimura-rd.com/. The office phone number is (800) 634-9166. The physical address is 5420 Daniels Street, Chino, CA 91710. The CLS season continues this Saturday, May 21st, at the Ventura Raceway. Spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first race will be at 5:30. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA ... 712 2. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA ... 633 3. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA ... 625 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA ... 608 5. Will Browne ®, Glendora, CA ... 569 6. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA ... 425 7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA ... 422 8. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA, CA ... 366 9. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA ... 360 10. Dominic De Monte, Gardena, CA ... 320 CLS vs BCRA "Civil War Series" Points 1. David Gasper - CLS - 142 2. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 126 3. Eric Greco - CLS - 126 4. Will Browne - CLA 116 5. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 109 6. Cody Nigh - CLS - 104 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 100 8. Hunter Kinney - BCRA - 92 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 89 10. Tim Kinser - 83 CLS Contingency Awards Heat Race #1 - Extreme Muffler $50.00 Product Certificate - Heat Race #2 - CSI Shocks - $50.00 Product Certificate - Heat Race #3 - Saldana Race Products - $50.00 Product Certificate - 1st Place Main Event - Eibach Springs $100.00 Product Certificate - 2nd Place Main Event - Vahlco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate - 3rd Place Main Event - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 Product Certificate - 4th Place Main Event - Hyper Chassis - $50 Product Certificate - 5th Place Main Event - Smith Titanium Product Certificate - 10th Place Main Event - King Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate - Fast Qualifier - West Evans Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate - Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Hard Charger - Advanced Racing Suspension Product Certificate - Hard Luck Award - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - 1st Car Not On The Lead Lap - Rebel Gears 30% Off Coupon - The following companies have become marketing partners with the CLS in 2022. They have offered up more than $13,000.00 in contingencies that will be awarded on top of the regular racing purses and they will be paid out throughout the year. Yoshimura R&D, Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, Saldana Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Speed Mart, Cold Fire West, West Evens Motorsports, RC Fuel Injection, Jake Swanson Shock Technology, Advanced Racing Suspensions, CSI Shocks, Eibach Springs, Triple X Race Components, King Racing Products, Hyper Racing Products, Rebel Gears, Vahlco Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, Fuel Safe Systems, MPI, Circle Track Performance, E-Z UP, Hepfner Racing, Smith Titanium, and Hoosier Speed. If you or your company would like to become a partner of the longtime racing organization, contact Jon Robertson via email at mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. 2022 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 25 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Grant Sexton April 2 Merced Speedway Non-Wing -- Civil War #1 - David Gasper April 16 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - A.J. Bender April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged (Make Up Main) David Gasper April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz May 14 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - A.J. Bender May 21 Ventura Raceway Winged - June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 September 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged September 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged November 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 November 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points November 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points November 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

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  BENDER WINS LIGHTNING SPRINT MAIN AND DONATES ENTIRE PURSE

  (Torrance, CA, May 16, 2022) San Diego's A.J. Bender made it two wins in three races in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series at the Bakersfield Speedway last Saturday night. On Monday, after reading that Lemoore Jet Bowl Raceway's favorite flag man Micah Smith was recently diagnosed with cancer, the classy team donated its entire purse to help his family with expenses. 281468739_5488389217871304_6933729375676488188_n.jpg A.J. Bender's winning steed after the CLS main event last Saturday at the Bakersfield Speedway. When Bender and team owner Mike Schweitzer pull into the pits for a CLS race, the competitors must take a big gulp and sigh. This year, they have won two of the first three CLS races at Bakersfield. Last season, despite running a limited schedule due to having a regular ride in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, Bender tied for the series lead in victories with four. Conspicuous by his absence on Saturday was point leader Eric Greco of Palmdale. The young driver was feeling under the weather and was unable to make the show. While Greco was absent, a pleasant surprise to see in the pit area was two-time series champion Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley. Driving a car owned by fellow champion Bobby Michnowicz, Kramer was making his first CLS start since his second series title in 2019. Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer, who has gotten off to a great start in 2022 with two second-place finishes, a third, and a fourth in his first four races, picked up the West Evans Motorsports Fast Time Award with a lap of 12.805. Camarillo's Cody Nigh was second fastest at 12.946 and Bender was third at 13.029. In a battle of the champions, 2021 titlist David Gasper of Santa Barbara beat Kramer in the Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1. Dyer placed third. In CSI Shocks Heat Race #2, Michnowicz, who calls Oak Hills home, crossed the line first with Nigh and series leading rookie Will Browne of Glendora third. Ironically, the two heat race winners each broke before the main events at the first two races at Bakersfield this year. For the 25-lap main event, Browne was on the pole and Michnowicz was slated to start alongside. However, the 5-time champ's water pump gave up the ghost and he was unable to start. That moved Nigh to the outside of row one. Bender manned the inside of the second row and was joined by Kramer. Row three featured Dyer and rookie Connor Speir of Fillmore. Browne raced into the lead at the drop of the green flag at "The West's Fastest 1/3 Mile High Banked Clay Oval" and he proceeded to lead the first two circuits. Running on the bottom, Bender, in the Mike Schweitzer owned Abacas/BillMell.com Real Estate Services/Van's Logging/Watkins Construction/M&P Environmental/Oil Well Service/Elite Signs/Yoshimura #41B, stalked the newcomer from the outset. Running the outside, Brown left the bottom wide open and Bender breezed by for the lead coming off the second corner on lap three. Browne stayed in the second-place spot until the eighth circuit when he got trapped behind a lapped car. That allowed Dyer, who came into the night with two straight second-place finishes, to pass for the runner-up position. In what became a recurring theme in the main event, Dyer chased down Bender for the lead. He tried to sneak by on the inside in turn 1 on the 10th lap. The leader was equal to the challenge and thwarted that effort. Moments later, Kramer dropped out of the race. By lap 13, Bender had constructed a decent size lead, but he could not rest on his laurels as Dyer was not about to give up. In fact, when Bender was briefly held up by lapped traffic on lap 14, Dyer came calling again. He tried the inside, but one more time, Bender fought off the challenge. Bender pulled away and by the 19th go around, he had established a half straightaway lead. It looked like he was going to sail the remainder of the way unchallenged. However, someone forgot to tell Dyer that. The retired United States Army Demolitions Expert refused to give up and mounted one last, serious challenge. He reeled the leader in for the third time and was about to make another attempt on lap 23. However, coming off turn four, a lap car impeded his progress and ended his victory hopes. Bender and Dyer, both of whom were also racing on the USAC/CRA portion of the program, took the checkers in first and second. Nigh, who was closing on Dyer over the last five laps, took third. Browne placed fourth and Gasper was fifth. Dyer went from fifth to second in the 25-lapper and received the Speed Mart and Advanced Racing Suspensions "Hard Charger" awards. "I was a little nervous to go to the top because Dyer showed me his nose on the bottom," the affable winner told the crowd after the race. "I was planning on running the top, but this thing was so great on the bottom. I cannot thank the Schweitzer family enough. They make it easy for me (to jump back and forth between cars)." The CLS is headed back to the Ventura Raceway for the third time in 2022 this Saturday, May 21st. Nigh, who has been around the picturesque track since he was a toddler, comes home as the new point leader. He holds a 79-point lead over Dyer in the season-long point standings. Defending champion Gasper is up to third with Greco and Brown comprising the remainder of the top five For fans who would like to attend Saturday's show at Ventura, adult tickets are $22.00. Seniors 60 and over, military with id and students with id get in for $18.00. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first race will be at 5:30. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. Bakersfield Speedway, May 14 Results West Evans Motorsports Qualifying 1. Jeff Dyer, 12.805; 2. Cody Nigh, 12.946; 3. A.J. Bender, 13.029; 4. Will Browne, 13.040; 5. Jarrett Kramer, 13.082; 6. Bobby Michnowicz, 13.084, 7. David Gasper, 13.208; 8. Connor Speir, 13.407; 9. Trevor Ballou, 13.670; 10. Gage Cheek, 13.765; 11. Jon Robertson, 13.831; 12. Pat Kelley, 14.164; 13. Mark Henry, No Time Extreme Muffler Heat Race #1: 1. David Gasper; 2. Jarrett Kramer; 3. Jeff Dyer; 4. A.J. Bender; 5. Trevor Ballou; 6. Mark Henry CSI Shocks Heat Race #2: 1. Bobby Michnowicz; 2. Cody Nigh; 3. Will Browne; 4. Gage Cheek; 5. Connor Speir; 6. Pat Kelley; 7. Leland Day Bakersfield 25 Lap Main Event (with starting positions) 1. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA - 3rd 2. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA - 5th 3. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA - 2nd 4. Will Browne, Glendora, CA - 1st 5. Dave Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA - 7th 6. Gage Cheek, Ojai, CA - 8th 7. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA - 6th 8. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA - 11th 9. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA - 4th 10. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA - 10th 11. Trevor Ballou, Corona, CA - 9th CLS Contingency Awards Heat Race #1 - Extreme Muffler $50.00 Product Certificate - David Gasper Heat Race #2 - CSI Shocks - $50.00 Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz Heat Race #3 - Saldana Race Products - $50.00 Product Certificate - 1st Place Main Event - Eibach Springs $100.00 Product Certificate - A.J. Bender 2nd Place Main Event - Vahlco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate - Jeff Dyer 3rd Place Main Event - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 Product Certificate - Cody Nigh 4th Place Main Event - Hyper Chassis - $50 Product Certificate - Will Browne 5th Place Main Event - Smith Titanium Product Certificate - David Gasper 10th Place Main Event - King Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate - Leland Day Fast Qualifier - West Evans Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate - Jeff Dyer Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Jeff Dyer Hard Charger - Advanced Racing Suspension Product Certificate - Jeff Dyer Hard Luck Award - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Trevor Ballou 1st Car Not On The Lead Lap - Rebel Gears 30% Off Coupon - Connor Speir California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA ... 712 2. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA ... 633 3. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA ... 625 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA ... 608 5. Will Browne ®, Glendora, CA ... 569 6. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA ... 425 7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA ... 422 8. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA, CA ... 366 9. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA ... 360 10. Dominic De Monte, Gardena, CA ... 320 CLS vs BCRA "Civil War Series" Points 1. David Gasper - CLS - 142 2. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 126 3. Eric Greco - CLS - 126 4. Will Browne - CLA 116 5. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 109 6. Cody Nigh - CLS - 104 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 100 8. Hunter Kinney - BCRA - 92 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 89 10. Tim Kinser - 83 The following companies have become marketing partners with the CLS in 2022. They have offered up more than $13,000.00 in contingencies that will be awarded on top of the regular racing purses and they will be paid out throughout the year. Yoshimura R&D, Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, Saldana Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Speed Mart, Cold Fire West, West Evens Motorsports, RC Fuel Injection, Jake Swanson Shock Technology, Advanced Racing Suspensions, CSI Shocks, Eibach Springs, Triple X Race Components, King Racing Products, Hyper Racing Products, Rebel Gears, Vahlco Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, Fuel Safe Systems, MPI, Circle Track Performance, E-Z UP, Hepfner Racing, Smith Titanium, and Hoosier Speed. If you or your company would like to become a partner of the longtime racing organization, contact Jon Robertson via email at mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. 2022 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 25 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Grant Sexton April 2 Merced Speedway Non-Wing -- Civil War #1 - David Gasper April 16 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - A.J. Bender April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged (Make Up Main) David Gasper April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz May 14 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - A.J. Bender May 21 Ventura Raceway Winged - June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 September 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged September 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged November 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 November 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points November 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points November 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

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  Mother’s Day brings action-packed show to Speedway Saturday

  The Russell-Motorsports-managed facility presents an eclectic and diverse show featuring winged 360 sprint cars, the U.S. Auto Club Western States Midgets, Bay Cities Racing Association ... Matt Land ...

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  GASPER AND MICHNOWICZ SPLIT CLS WINS AT VENTURA

  (Torrance, CA, May 3, 2022) Youth was served when the California Lightning Sprint Car Series visited Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway last Saturday and teenager David Gasper captured one of the two 25 lap main events on the night. In addition to youth, experience was served as well when quinquagenarian Bobby Michnowicz captured the other 25-lapper. The two main events were necessitated when qualifying and the heats were completed on March 16th. However, rain intervened and caused postponement of the main event. Thus, the first order of business after qualifying on Saturday was the makeup race. The start of the makeup main event saw Santa Barbara's Gasper on the inside of the front row with J.D. Bentley from Rubottom, Oklahoma on the outside. Palmdale's Eric Greco and Dominic Del Monte, two youngsters who are considered veterans in the CLS, comprised row two. The third row featured Camarillo's Cody Nigh and his uncle, five-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills. As the field was coming around to take the initial green flag, series-leading rookie Will Browne of Glendora slowed and came to a stop in turn three. That was just about the time the remainder of the field was hitting the throttle pedal for the start of the race. The green did not come out, but several cars got together as they entered turn one. Nigh ended up on his side and a red flag came out before the green had ever waved. Officials pushed Nigh's pretty #45 back on all fours and he was ready for the restart. With a bent nose wing, he had to restart at the back after being deemed the perpetrator of the red. Gasper got the jump in turn one and led over Bentley, Greco, Michnowicz, and Del Monte. The race got three laps in before Chino's Pat Kelley coasted to a stop in turn one bringing out a yellow flag. Once action resumed, wily veteran Michnowicz, went to the outside to pass Greco for second coming off turn two. That was the last pass amongst the top five for the duration of the race, but it was anything, but boring. Gasper and Bentley hit the lapped traffic on lap 13 and had no problem getting around the first two. However, from that point on, the lappers provided a headache for the top four. When he was stuck behind lapped cars, Greco almost took third from Michnowicz and Bentley almost did the same to Gasper. However, both of those offensive thwarts were repelled. When the checkers ended the race, it was 2021 series champion Gasper posting his second win in the first four races of the year. Bentley was only three car lengths behind the leader and was trailed by Michnowicz, Greco, and Del Monte. Michnowicz won the "Speed Mart" and "Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger" awards for the first main after starting fifth and finishing seventh. "It was a long wait (due to the rainout) knowing that we started on the pole," Gasper said after his second triumph of the year. "My guys gave me a good car and we got it done. The sun started getting in my eyes a little bit heading into three. I couldn't really see, but we made it work and we got it done. It was a long year (at Ventura in 2021). Our best finish was second. We struggled on set up here, but I think we figured it out for sure." 278980898_3093706604214001_9062148145225199213_n.jpg David Gasper after his win in the first main at Ventura on Saturday night. CLS Photo. For the regular portion of the program, Gasper was the "West Evans Motorsports Fastest Qualifier" with a time of 12.240. Bentley was second quick at 12.360. Impressive Browne recorded the third-best time with a lap of 12.436. Greco and Nigh, with times of 12.455 and 12.478 respectively, rounded out the top five. Del Monte took the "Extreme Mufflers First Heat Race" when he beat Gasper and Nigh to the checkers. Rancho Cucamonga's Brent Owens topped the field in the "CSI Shocks Second Heat." Bentley and Michnowicz placed second and third. For the second 25-lap main event of the night, Nigh and Michnowicz were once again paired on the front row. Greco and Bentley lined up behind them in row two with Gasper and Browne slated to go from row three. After completing and finishing fourth in his heat race, Browne again stopped on the pace lap for the main event. This time the talented new driver to the CLS was done for the night. Michnowicz was the first to turn one and the first across the line at the end of the opening circuit. Bentley, Del Monte, Greco, and Gasper were in tow. Gasper split Greco and Del Monte and when the second lap was completed, he was third. Michnowicz and Bentley moved away from the remainder of the field and by the end of the fourth lap, they were on the rear end of the pack. That ended up being when Michnowicz faced his most serious challenge in the race. When he momentarily hesitated coming off two, Bentley drove to the outside and attempted to take the lead away. However, the lapped car was in his way and Michnowicz was able to maintain the lead and did not face another serious challenge. Besides the lap four interaction with traffic, the lapped cars were more cooperative than they were in the first race. When the sailing was clear, Michnowicz hugged the inside line, while Bentley ran a lane wider and stayed within four or five car lengths of the race-long leader through the first half of the event. The proceedings were halted for the second time on lap 16 when Del Monte slid to a stop on the back chute forcing a yellow. For the restart, Michnowicz and Bentley were joined in the top five by Gasper, Nigh, and Greco. On the initial try to go racing again, the yellow immediately came back on when Owens spun to the infield on the restart. On the next try, Michnowicz got a great restart, but Bentley did not. Gasper, who was trying to go two for two on the night, immediately went on the attack. He steered the brilliant blue #18 to the inside of Bentley in turn one. Coming off two, Bentley fought him off. Gasper tried again going into three, and Bentley fended him off one more time, got a good drive off four, and put some breathing room between himself and his pursuer. Bentley and Gasper's fight allowed Michnowicz to expand his lead. The wily veteran took full advantage over the last 10-laps, which went without a yellow. He put nearly a half straight between his T Shirts By Timeless/Pflum and Wagner/Fabozzi Metal Works/Super Shocks/Outlaw Wings/Simpson #21, and second place Bentley at the finish. Gasper ended up third with Nigh fourth and Greco fifth. Ojai's Gage Cheek, who was making his first start of the year, won the "Speed Mart" and "Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger" awards after starting 10th and finishing seventh. "We have had such bad luck," the happy winner said referring to his early-season woes. "Starting on the front row I was thinking, 'Just get the jump and go as fast as you can.' I was tired as we had already went 25 laps (in the first main). So, I ate a banana and drank some water. The track was great. Jim Naylor has changed the track a lot. He is going to massage it some more, but its really good. This is where I met my wife. We were 16 years old racin here. A lot of good memories and I love it here." 279085135_3093825910868737_6891230000475895813_n.jpg Five-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz got his first win the the year Saturday at Ventura. CLS Photo. Greco continues to add some points to his lead in the championship standings and now has a 24-point advantage over Nigh. Defending champion Gasper is third and 98-points behind the leader. Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer is fourth. Michnowicz has finally broken into the top five for the first time this year and is fifth. The CLS gets one week off before returning to action with the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars at the Bakersfield Speedway on May 14th. West Evans Motorsports Qualifying: 1. Dave Gasper, 12.240; 2. J.D. Bentley, 12.360; 3. Will Browne, 12.436; 4. Eric Greco, 12.445; 5. Mike Nigh, 12.478, 6. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.486; 7. Jon Robertson, 12.617; 8. Trevor Ballou, 12.781; 9. Connor Spier, 13.331' 10. Gage Cheek, 13.648; 11. Jacob Magallanes 14.6748, 12 Brent Owens, 22.952; 13. Pat Kelley, 34.226; Mark Henry, NT, Dominic Del Monte, NT Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1 (8 laps): 1. Del Monte, 2. Gasper, 3. Nigh, 4. Browne, 5. Speir, 6. Kelley, 7. Magallanes CSI Shocks Heat Race #2 (8 laps): 1. Owens, 2. Bentley, 3. Michnowicz, 4. Greco, 5. Ballou, 6. Cheek, Henry Ventura Makeup March 16 25-Lap Main Event (with starting positions) 1. Dave Gasper - Santa Barbara, CA - 1st 2. J.D. Bentley - Rubottom, OK - 2nd 3. Bobby Michnowicz - Oak Hills, CA - 5th 4. Eric Greco - Palmdale, CA - 3rd 5. Dominic Del Monte - Gardena, CA - 4th 6. Cody Nigh - Camarillo, CA -6th 7. Jon Robertson - Torrance, CA - 8th 8. Trevor Ballou - Corona, CA - 10th 9. Connor Spier - Fillmore, CA - 9th 10. Pat Kelley - Chino Hills, CA - 7th DNS Will Browne - Glendora, CA DNS Brent Owens - Rancho Cucamonga, CA Lap Leaders: Dave Gasper 1-25 Ventura 25-Lap April 30 Main Event (with starting positions) 1. Bobby Michnowicz - Oak Hills, CA - 2nd 2. J.D. Bentley - Rubottom, OK - 4th 3. David Gasper - Santa Barbara, CA - 5th 4. Cody Nigh - Camarillo, CA - 1st 5. Eric Greco - Palmdale, CA - 3rd 6. Trevor Ballou - Corona, CA - 8th 7. Gage Cheek - Ojai, CA - 10th 8. Dominic Del Monte - Gardena, CA - 7th 9. Mark Henry - Rosamond, CA - 11th 10. Jacob Magallanes - Pasadena, CA - 12th 11. Connor Speir - Fillmore, CA - 9th 12. Brent Owens - Rancho Cucamonga, CA - 6th DNS Will Browne - Glendora, CA DNS Pat Kelley - Chino, CA Lap Leaders: Bobby Michnowicz 1-25 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA ... 608 2. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA ... 584 3. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA ... 510 4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA ... 499 5. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA ... 389 6. Will Browne ®, Glendora, CA ... 355 7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA ... 331 8. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA ... 320 9. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA ... 231 10. Jeremy Queener, Lake Elsinore, CA ... 207 10. Trevor Ballou, Corona, CA, 207 CLS vs BCRA "Civil War Series" Points 1. David Gasper - CLS - 142 2. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 126 3. Eric Greco - CLS - 126 4. Will Browne - CLA 116 5. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 109 6. Cody Nigh - CLS - 104 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 100 8. Hunter Kinney - BCRA - 92 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 89 10. Tim Kinser - 83 The following companies have become marketing partners with the CLS in 2022. They have offered up more than $13,000.00 in contingencies that will be awarded on top of the regular racing purses and they will be paid out throughout the year. T-Shirts By Timeless, Hoosier Tires West, Extreme Mufflers, Saldana Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Speed Mart, Cold Fire West, West Evens Motorsports, RC Fuel Injection, Jake Swanson Shock Technology, Advanced Racing Suspensions, CSI Shocks, Eibach Springs, Triple X Race Components, King Racing Products, Hyper Racing Products, Rebel Gears, Vahlco Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, Fuel Safe Systems, MPI, Circle Track Performance, E-Z UP, Hepfner Racing, Smith Titanium, and Hoosier Speed. If you or your company would like to become a partner of the longtime racing organization, contact Jon Robertson via email at mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. CLS Contingency Awards For The March 16 Makeup Ventura Race Heat Race #1 - Extreme Muffler $50.00 Product Certificate - Jeff Dyer Heat Race #2 - CSI Shocks - $50.00 Product Certificate - Dominic Del Monte 1st Place Main Event - Eibach Springs $100.00 Product Certificate - David Gasper 2nd Place Main Event - Vahlco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate - J.D. Bentley 3rd Place Main Event - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz 4th Place Main Event - Hyper Chassis - $50 Product Certificate - Eric Greco 5th Place Main Event - Smith Titanium Product Certificate - Dominic Del Monte 10th Place Main Event - King Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate - Pat Kelley Fast Qualifier - West Evans Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate - Eric Greco Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz Hard Charger - Advanced Racing Suspension Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz Hard Luck Award - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Will Browne 1st Car Not On The Lead Lap - Rebel Gears 30% Off Coupon CLS Contingency Awards For The April 30 Ventura Race Heat Race #1 - Extreme Muffler $50.00 Product Certificate - Dominic Del Monte Heat Race #2 - CSI Shocks - $50.00 Product Certificate - Brent Owens 1st Place Main Event - Eibach Springs $100.00 Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz 2nd Place Main Event - Vahlco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate - J.D. Bentley 3rd Place Main Event - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 Product Certificate - David Gasper 4th Place Main Event - Hyper Chassis - $50 Product Certificate - Cody Nigh 5th Place Main Event - Smith Titanium Product Certificate - Eric Greco 10th Place Main Event - King Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate - Jacob Magallanes Fast Qualifier - West Evans Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate - David Gasper Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Gage Cheek Hard Charger - Advanced Racing Suspension Product Certificate - Gage Cheek Hard Luck Award - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate - Will Browne 1st Car Not On The Lead Lap - Rebel Gears 30% Off Coupon 2022 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 25 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Grant Sexton April 2 Merced Speedway Non-Wing -- Civil War #1 - David Gasper April 16 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - A.J. Bender April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged (Make Up Main) David Gasper April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz May 14 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC/CRA May 21 Ventura Raceway Winged June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 September 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged September 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged November 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 November 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points November 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points November 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

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  A.J. BENDER LEADS USAC WESTERN STATES MIDGETS TO BAKERSFIELD

  This Saturday, April 16th, the USAC Western States Midgets will return to Bakersfield Speedway. Promoted by Scott Schweitzer, the third point race is co-sanctioned with the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) and will also feature Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Mod Lites, and the California Lightning Sprints.

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  JAKE ANDREOTTI TOPS PLACERVILLE SPRING FEVER FRENZY

  Leading all 20-laps, Jake Andreotti (Castro Valley, CA) scored last Saturday's "Spring Fever Frenzy" triumph at Placerville Speedway. Driving Pete Davis' #00 Hot Head Competition Heaters / Buchannan Automotive Stealth, Andreotti's USAC Western States & BCRA Midget victory came over Michael Faccinto, A.J. Bender, fast qualifier "Sugar" Shane Golobic, and Shannon McQueen.

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  Andreotti Wins USAC/BCRA Feature at Placerville

  Jake Andreotti won the USAC Western States Midget Car Series / Bay Cities Racing Association feature during the opening round of the Elk Grove Ford Mini-Series Saturday at Placerville Speedway.

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  USAC Western States and BCRA Midgets Eye Placerville for “Spring Fever Frenzy”

  After Tulare and Hanford rained out, the USAC Western States and Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) Midgets will open their season this Saturday, March 26th, at Placerville Speedway.

BCRA - Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt Tracks

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  Bakersfield Speedway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA
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  Kern County Raceway Park Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA
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  Lakeport Indoor Race TrackLakeport, California, USA
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  Merced Speedway Race TrackMerced, California, USA
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  Ocean Speedway Race TrackWatsonville, California, USA
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  Petaluma Speedway Race TrackPetaluma, California, USA
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  Placerville Speedway Race TrackPlacerville, California, USA
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  Siskiyou Golden Speedway Race TrackYreka, California, USA
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  Stockton Dirt Track Race TrackStockton, California, USA