CLS - California Lightning Sprints
The California Lightning Sprints are the premier winged Lightning Sprints series in the country. 2024 marks the Southern California based club's 30th season of operation. Lightning sprints are 1000cc super-bike powered full midget chassis that are one of the most exciting experiences in short track racing. The relatively small dirt and clay oval tracks (1/4 - 1/3 mile) and high speeds (in excess of 100 mph) make for easy-to-view, action-packed, high-intensity racing for everyone. Drivers must possess extraordinary reflexes, coordination, and setup skills in order to excel in these cars. Whether as a gateway series to full sized sprint cars or as a destination for the local racer who wants to hone their keen senses and competitive skills, Lightning Sprints are the biggest bang for your buck and have something for everyone. We provide a series that is professionally run, administrated and highly competitive.
- Schedule
- News
- Dirt Tracks
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing Schedule
Schedules are known to change without warning, double check with race track before heading out.
Sat, May 31
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Sat, Jun 7
- Bakersfield Speedway at Kern Raceway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA - Races
Sat, Jun 21
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Sat, Jul 5
- Santa Maria Raceway Race TrackNipomo, California, USA - Races
Sat, Jul 26
- Santa Maria Raceway Race TrackNipomo, California, USA - Races
Fri, Aug 22
- Plaza Park Raceway Race TrackVisalia, California, USA - Races
Sat, Aug 23
- Lemoore Jet Bowl Race TrackLemoore, California, USA - Races
Sat, Aug 30
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Fri, Sep 12
- Bakersfield Speedway at Kern Raceway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA - Races
Sat, Sep 13
- Merced Speedway Race TrackMerced, California, USA - Races
Sat, Oct 4
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Sat, Oct 25
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Tue, Nov 25
- Bakersfield Speedway at Kern Raceway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA - Races
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing News
- Sexton Gatlin Racing Returns to Placerville Speedway This Weekend
Lakeside, CA, May 1, 2025 — This Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd, Sexton Gatlin Racing (SGR) will make its highly anticipated return to Placerville Speedway as drivers Brent Sexton and his son Grant compete in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series (USCS) at the iconic Northern California venue. This marks the Lakeside, California-based team's first appearance at Placerville since a dominant showing in 2022. SGR's last outing at the red clay oval was as part of the show at the three-night Hangtown 100 in November 2022, which was co-sanctioned by the California Lightning Sprint Car Series and Bay Cities Racing Association. The team swept all three main events that weekend: San Diego's AJ Bender took victories on the first two nights, with Grant Sexton finishing second and sixth. On the final night, it was 17-year-old Grant's turn to shine, claiming the win with Bender right behind in second. Brent, a three-time lightning sprint car series champion, also made all three main events in 2022, finishing fifth, 12th, and 15th. His oldest son, Dalton, qualified for all three mains as well, earning finishes of 10th, 12th, and 15th. This Friday, Brent returns to the seat for one night only before heading off for his annual vacation in Cabo San Lucas. He enters the weekend ranked fourth in USCS points, just four digits out of third. In four starts this season, Brent's best finish was a fifth-place showing at Ocean Speedway on March 28. Grant, now 20, will be racing both nights. Thus far, he has made two USCS starts in 2025. He earned an eighth-place finish at Ventura Raceway on March 8 and was poised for a top-five finish at Bakersfield on April 12 before contact with another car knocked him out of contention, resulting in a 17th-place finish. He currently sits 20th in the championship standings. Placerville Speedway Details: Opened in 1965, Placerville Speedway is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds (100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA). Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with on-track action beginning at 5:15 p.m. both nights. Tickets: Friday, May 2: Purchase Here Saturday, May 3: Purchase Here Tickets will also be available at the gate for walk-up customers each night. For more information, visit PlacervilleSpeedway.com or call (530) 344-7592. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2025 Results 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 3/28/25 Ocean Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/29/25 Merced Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 12th A Main 4/12/25 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 12th A Main Grant Sexton 2025 Results 2/22/25 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 8th A Main 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4/12/25 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 17th A Main AJ Bender 2025 SGR Results 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 23rd A Main Braydin Collie 2025 SGR Results 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 4/12/25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Tracks
- Bakersfield Speedway at Kern Raceway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA
- Lemoore Jet Bowl Race TrackLemoore, California, USA
- Merced Speedway Race TrackMerced, California, USA
- Plaza Park Raceway Race TrackVisalia, California, USA
- Santa Maria Raceway Race TrackNipomo, California, USA
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA