CLS - California Lightning Sprints
The California Lightning Sprints (CLS) are a Southern California based 1200cc Mini-Sprint club. The group competes in both winged and non-winged events at the Perris, Bakersfield, Ventura, Santa Maria, Barona, El Centro, and Victorville clay ovals. Reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, the cars of the CLS may be small in size, but they are big on excitement!!!
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Organization Contacts
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- GRANT SEXTON LAUNCHES USAC/CRA ROOKIE CAMPAIGN THIS WEEK AT THE COCOPAH SPEEDWAY
(Lakeside, CA, January 26, 2023) 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Grant Sexton has his eyes set on another title in 2023. The teenage racer will open his first full season of 410 sprint car racing and his campaign for "Rookie of the Year" when the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series visits Arizona's Cocopah Speedway this Friday and Saturday, January 27th and 28th. It will be his first ever time racing at the track known as the "Diamond in the Desert." Sexton, who lives in Lakeside, California, did have a few runs in full-size sprint cars in 2022. They included four events with USAC/CRA, three shows at Ventura including the Turkey Night Grand Prix, and an open comp show at the Imperial Valley Raceway. The talkative teen won his first-ever start in a full-size sprinter at Ventura on April 16th. His second-best finish was when he made the podium with a third at Imperial Valley in October. The well-spoken teen's initial efforts in a full-size sprinter came in an older car. He then switched to another car that was a little more modern than what he started in. However, things are going to change from the dark ages as soon as he arrives at Cocopah. "I ran an older Ellis (first) and then a newer Ellis," the 18-year-old said with a laugh earlier this week. "Well, it was new for us but it was pretty much the same car." Last year his father, Brent Sexton, decided it was time for a big-time upgrade. A three-time lightning sprint car titlist (including last year's POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint championship), the family patriarch realized his youngest offspring was ready to move up and he purchased a brand new Triple X chassis. He hid the new chassis in the rafters until he figured Grant was ready. That time is now and the youngster will make his debut in the car on Friday at Cocopah. The team was headed to Perris to shake down the car for the first time on Thursday and would head straight to the Arizona speed plant after. It will be a new car on a new track for Sexton's first run of 2023. While he has seen races at Cocopah, he has never raced there, but he knows what to expect. "I have not had any practice in our new Triple X car, but we are going to test at Perris Auto Speedway tomorrow," the teen said on Wednesday. "I know it (Cocopah) has really long straightaways and a lot wider turns. So, it should be a little bit more forgiving if I do make a mistake. Hopefully, I do not find that wall because I know it will hurt. "I watch a boatload of films," the young racer continued. "I mean, I sit there on YouTube for hours and go back to the old Flo events. I try to gather anything I can by watching the leaders and others on all the tracks. How they enter the corners and how they exit the corners. Sadly, Iracing does not have any California tracks, but I do hop on the simulator as much as I can. Mainly I just want to make every main event we go to and hopefully bring a car home in one piece. Try to use patience to learn the car itself before I try and get a little more ballsy." In addition to some new venues, Sexton will be competing on several tracks where he has raced lightning sprints over the past few years. Those tracks include Perris, the Bakersfield Speedway, Mohave Valley Raceway, the Ventura Raceway, and the Santa Maria Raceway. When asked which track he was looking forward to going to, he quickly named Bakersfield because it is a quarter mile and very racy. Another part of that answer may have had to do with his thrilling victory at the "Okie Bowl" when the CLS competed on the same card as the World of Outlaws on March 24th, 2022. The teen stole the show by rim-riding through the cushion in a daring display of bravery that saw him take the lead and win with less than a foot to go in the race. Like many young drivers, Sexton had some challenges early in his lightning sprint car career. Some nights he was fast, and some nights he was not quite as fast. He did tear up some equipment along the way. Through it all, there were flashes of brilliance that were shining through. But things changed halfway through the 2019 season. The then 15-year-old only finished better than 14th one time in the first seven races of the year. Near the end of June, he began to turn things around. In six starts between June 29th and August 24th, he placed in the top 10 four times. Included was a second-place finish in the CLS race at Santa Maria on July 27th. However, the best was yet to come. On August 24, 2019, he won an open comp race at the Barona Speedway. While not surprising, it was still not expected. What happened next was shocking and totally unexpected to everyone. That is, everyone but himself. Two weeks after the Barona triumph, the family team journeyed to Missouri and the Lake Ozark Speedway for the POWRi Lightning Sprint Car Nationals. There, they met up with top drivers and cars from several states. On the first night of the two-day show, Sexton sent shockwaves through the lightning sprint car world by handily winning the main event. For a teen upstart to come to a track he had never raced on before and compete against veteran drivers, many of whom were on their home turf, and beat them, ended up being popular with fans. Surely the triumph had to be a fluke. No way could a teen repeat that performance. He then stunned everyone again by leading 23-laps before finishing second. In less than 24 hours, he went from being an unknown to being the hottest lightning sprint car driver in North America. Like everyone else, Covid pretty much ruined the 2020 season for Sexton. He came back in 2021 with a vengeance. He proved his adaptability by winning four of the last seven main events, including three in a row, in the POWRi Southwest Series. Two of his victories came while running with a wing and the other two were wingless. When the checkered flag fell at the end of the final series race, he won the championship by a comfortable 122-points. In addition to his prowess in the SWLS, he went back to Missouri and finished third in the finale. The team also journeyed to the upper Midwest for the "Minkota Nationals." Once again competing on four new tracks against veteran drivers from several states and Canada, Sexton won the opening night and placed in the top eight in all four races. 2022 was not the normal season for Sexton. Perhaps more importantly than racing, he was graduating from high school. So, that took a little away from racing with all the festivities you only get to participate in once in your life. Also, of instead running a lightning sprint car-only schedule, he was moving up to full-size sprint cars. All told, he visited victory circle four times during the year. Sexton sends out big thanks to his crew chief, 2011 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year David Bezio, Tava Lopez, Cody Griggs, Nita "Nanna" Gatlin, and his father Brent. They have all been busting their tails to get the Triple X Chassis, Johnny Motorhead 410 ready for this week's openers at Cocopah. SGR has been busy all winter getting ready for another successful year in 2023. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with this front-running team, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com Sexton/Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Keys Brothers, East County Electric Works, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Johnny Motorhead, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, and Swift Powdercoat. This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE MAKES A BIG IMPRESSION IN HIS FIRST-EVER CHILI BOWL MIDGET NATIONALS
(El Cajon, CA, January 17, 2022) One of open-wheel racing's brightest young stars, Braden Chiaramonte, continued to shine in his first-ever appearance at the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. As per usual, the young driver created an incredibly positive impression this time against some of the biggest stars in racing over his two nights of action. While it was the 37th annual running of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, it was only Chiaramonte's seventh time racing a midget. In addition, the 15-year-old phenom was teaming with car owner Pete Davis to drive his Hot Head Engine Heaters/Esslinger Engineering/RTL Traffic/AM Ortega/Spike Chassis/Esslinger midget #00B for the first time. To say the least, he was excited about the opportunity but had a realistic look at it. 325956068_703075774788836_2910710706913136485_n.jpg The Pete Davis #00B Braden Chiaramonte drove at the 2023 Chili Bowl. Cody Quarles Photo. "I really didn't have much," Chiaramonte responded when asked about his expectations going into the multi-night event. "Really just wanted to make it to a C or a B main (on Saturday). I wanted to make the A (main) but I knew that would be pretty tough in my first year. Yeah, I was pretty happy. I was kind of hoping to make to make a B main but for my first Chili BowI think it was pretty good. We made it to the C." "It was pretty crazy walking into the building with that many cars," the young driver continued. "The first practice we went out it was pretty crazy. You think you can use a lot of throttle but you really can't. The track has a lot of grip for sure and the midget really want to wheelie. You have to be really easy on the throttle. I have watched a lot of videos of the track And it is a lot different when you were in the car than what you see in those videos." After the practice, which was comprised of two four-lap sessions on the track, Chiaramonte had to wait until Friday for his race night. The youthful driver did not waste the opportunity sightseeing or partying away from the track. Instead, he watched nearly every lap of each race from Monday through Thursday. He studied the more experienced drivers and he studied the track so he would be ready for his first race on Friday. "Yeah, when I first got there, I thought you had to be really aggressive," the California racer responded when asked if watching helped. "The more you watch, you know you have to be patient but also aggressive. It is not like the Shoot-Out. If you pass one car, you're going to be sitting pretty good in points. In the shootout, you have to be passing a couple cars to be sitting pretty good." The viewing efforts paid big dividends and to say that Chiaramonte and the Davis meshed well from the start would be an understatement. The duo debuted on Friday in the third 10-lap heat race. Chiaramonte scored a hard-earned wire-to-wire win over a veteran field of drivers. "It was tough, but Pete gave me a great car," Chiaramonte told the worldwide audience watching on Flo Racing after the race when asked how he held off the field. "Big thanks to him for letting me come race my first Chili Bowl. All the guys, Grant, Shane, Cody, my dad, and my mom. I want to thank everybody for helping me out. Just keep this going and see what happens. Hopefully, start good in our qualifier, try to move forward, and just get as many points as I can and go from there." As the night continued, the competition for the 15-year-old racer who has World of Outlaws aspirations got tougher and tougher. That was evident in his 10-lap qualifier when he started and finished in fifth place. The points he accumulated In his heat race and his qualifier sent him to the B main event. Those points also earned him a pole position start. The race was 15 laps and featured 16 cars. There was literally no room for error as only the top four would transfer onto the night's A main event. Chiaramonte settled into second on the start and stayed there for the duration. The leader and Chiaramonte simply walked away from the field to earn their tickets to the main event. For the Friday night main, Chiaramonte started in the 19th spot. The 30-lapper featured racing and an abundance of crashing. The Chili Bowl and crashing seem to go hand in hand as drivers advance forward on the small track in the world-famous SageNet Center. The main lived up to the reputation with crash after crash taking place. Where Chiaramonte started the race made him susceptible to the tangles as it was going to happen in front of him. However, the young driver kept his cool and stayed out of the destruction for the duration. In the race, Chiaramonte started to advance forward just past the halfway point. He seesawed between 19th and 17th and was 18th with seven laps to go. After the last yellow flag slowed the race on lap 35, he powered the gorgeous black racecar forward to finish 14th. "It is pretty hard on the Small track," Chiaramonte said regarding the crashes on the tight track. "You try and look way ahead. You are just trying to miss everything that you can because that is more positions that you will get. If you are going backwards (by being involved in incidents), you are going to be way behind in points." Saturday saw Chiaramonte roll on the track for the first of two C main events. For a rookie at the Chili Bowl that is extremely impressive. Consider that there are 23 qualifying races on Saturday. The lowest point drivers started in a pair of O main events. Chiaramonte's Performance on Friday that saw him score 115 points was good enough to put him in one of the one of the top four qualifiers of those 23 races. It also matched him with a field of drivers who were superstars. Starting 14th in the 15-lap C main. Chiaramonte ran as high as 12th and ended up finishing 11th. It was another impressive showing for a 15-year-old rookie in a field of 20 cars of that was made up of seasoned drivers mostly seasoned veterans from around the country. A surprise bonus for the team at the Chili Bowl was the addition of popular driver Thomas "T-Mez" Meseraull from San Jose, California. While he was competing with another team at the event, Davis brought him in to coach Chiaramonte and to set up the car as well. It was a tremendous boost for the teen in the prestigious race. "Pete wanted somebody good to be coaching me and wrenching," the personable Chiaramonte stated. "Pete has known T-Mez for a while so he just called him. T-Mez said he would do it. It was a lot of help. Me or my dad to not know a lot about midget stuff. It was good going into the weekend knowing we have somebody there knowing the setup. " In five starts over two nights, Chiaramonte's poise, confidence, and driving talent shined bright. He advanced forward from his starting position in three of the races. Only once did he finish in a worse position than he started. That was a one-spot drop with that second-place finish in the Friday B main. In one other race, the Friday qualifier, he finished where he started. All told, of the 365 drivers that raced, he placed 87th overall. A very impressive performance by a rookie driver. As the full 2023 season is just around the corner, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his racing possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data. Braden Chiaramonte 2023 Results January 13 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 14th A Main January 14 Tulsa SageNet Center Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 12th C Main Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q. May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 8th C Main September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 22nd B Main September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 14th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 16th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 16th B Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 9th A Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main November 11 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 2nd A Main November 12 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 17th A Main December 31 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non-Wing 7th B Main December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw Non-Wing 14th LCQ December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw-Winged 5th B Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE MAKES CHILI BOWL DEBUT ON FRIDAY
(El Cajon, CA, January 11, 2022) Two weeks after contesting the Tulsa Shootout in the massive SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Southern California teenage racer Braden Chiaramonte will return this week to compete in the biggest midget race in the world, the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. For the highly anticipated race, he will be wheeling the Pete Davis-owned #00B Hot Head Engine Heaters/Esslinger Engineering/RTL Traffic/AM Ortega/Spike Chassis/Esslinger midget. The accomplished racer was one of 370 pre-entered competitors who practiced on Sunday for the 37th running of the famed event. Chiaramonte will be back on the track to race in his preliminary night on Friday, January 13th. He will then come back for the finale 24 hours later. In the yearly January race, the 15-year-old will be battling against drivers from every discipline in American motorsports including NASCAR, Indy Cars, NHRA, and everything in between. The tight quarter-mile track has seating for 15,000 fans and draws approximately 80,000 attendees over six nights. In addition to the fans at the track, the race draws attention to the drivers and sponsors from viewers around the world on the Flo Racing Network. One year ago this month, Chiaramonte had not only never raced in the Chili Bowl, but he had also never raced a midget! However, things rapidly changed. By year's end, six of the 39 races he started were in midgets. His first race in the powerful lightweight cars came on April 16th when he made his midget debut in one of Matt Streeter's #14s in a USAC Western Midget race at the Bakersfield Speedway. The unflappable driver shocked everyone in sight when he established a nearly full-straightaway lead in his heat race before succumbing to the defending series champion on the next to last lap and finishing second. Later that night he came home ninth in his first-ever midget main event. One month later he was back in Streeter's car at the beachside Ventura Raceway. On that night he placed seventh in the main event. He competed in one more Western States Midget race on June 18th at the Merced Speedway. Once again, Chiaramonte impressed race watchers when he came home in 10th place giving him three top-10 finishes in the first three times he sat in a midget. After his three midget races in California, Chiaramonte stepped up his game to the USAC National Midget Series with two races in July and another in August. The July dates were at the Jefferson County Speedway in Fairbury, Nebraska. Competing in the number one midget series in the world, Chiaramonte, who was driving the famous "Trench Shoring" #25, made the A main each night. He placed 18th in the opener. Twenty-four hours later he finished 16th. Three weeks after competing in the "Cornhusker State," Chiaramonte journeyed to the "Mecca" of racetracks in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for the BC39. Located inside turn four, mere feet away from where the Indianapolis 500 has taken place since 1911, the young driver came home with a fifth-place finish in the D main. In addition to his midget races, the El Cajon, California-based competitor also competed in micros, lightning sprints, and winged 360 sprint cars in 2022. He took a pair of wins in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series. He shocked the racing public by quickly adapting to a full-size winged 360 sprint car. In addition to showing impressive speed in the powerful machine, he came from the back to place eighth in the final of the "Fall Winged 360 Nationals" at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California. Fans can see every lap that Chiaramonte contests at the Chili Bowl live on Flo Racing. For details on how to see the accomplished teen in action at Tulsa, please use the following link https://www.floracing.com/. As the full 2023 season is just around the corner, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2022 racing season possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data. Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q. May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 8th C Main September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 22nd B Main September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 14th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 16th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 16th B Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 9th A Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main November 11 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 2nd A Main November 12 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 17th A Main December 31 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non-Wing 7th B Main December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw Non-Wing 14th LCQ December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw-Winged 5th B Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- MOVING FORWARD IS THE STORY OF BRADEN CHIARAMONTE'S TULSA SHOOTOUT
(El Cajon, CA, January 4, 2022) The story of Braden Chiaramonte's second-ever appearance at the "Tulsa Shootout" in the massive SageNet Center was "Moving Forward." Driving the Hyper house car in the Winged A Class and Stock Non-Wing categories and the family-owned #73B in the Outlaw Winged and Non-Wing classes, he started 11 races at the shootout. The popular teen finished better than the position he started in six times. He placed in the same position as he started twice. All told for the popular event, he advanced a total of 15 positions while only losing six spots. The 38th running of the "Shootout" drew a massive 1,722 entries. Those drivers contested 358 races and 3,410 green flag laps. Needless to say, the competition was extremely tough and at times, very aggressive. While some drivers raced cleanly, others at times, were ruthless and raced anything but clean. Chiaramonte stuck with his form and was one of the drivers who kept it honest. The El Cajon, California-based racer kicked things off on Tuesday, December 27th in the Winged Outlaw heat race. Starting on the Outside of the front row, the rising star battled hard and took the lead on the 3rd circuit. Once securing the point he moved away over the final five laps and captured the victory a full straightaway ahead of his closest pursuer. Soon after the impressive outing was completed, Chiaramonte was stopped for an interview that was seen and heard by thousands across the world on the Flo Racing Network. The interview is available at the following Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/cody.quarles.3/videos/688509236102127. On the second night of action in Tulsa, Chiaramonte was competing in 8-lap heat races in the Non-Wing Outlaw class and the Winged A-Class. In the Winged Outlaws, the 15-year-old came from 10th on the start and raced all the way up to fourth by the time the checkered flag fell. Likewise, he did move forward in the Winged-A class. Starting sixth in that race, he advanced one position forward to finish fifth. On Thursday the 29th, Chiaramonte, who excelled at every level he competed in during the 2022 season, contested his Stock Non-Wing heat race. As had been the case the prior two nights, he once again moved forward in his white #73B. After starting sixth he passed three other cars and placed third. Friday, December, 30th, was qualifier night for the three classes Chiaramonte was competing in. The teen driver started in the Winged Outlaw class. He was second on the start and stayed in the runner-up spot for the first six laps. In the end, he did slip back to fifth. It was one of only three times all week that he finished farther back than he started and it was the only time he placed farther back than one position from where he started. Chiaramonte contested two other races on the qualifier night. He started and placed sixth in the Non-Wing Outlaws. In the Stock Non-Wing class, he began in ninth and finished in the same position. At the finale on Saturday, Chiaramonte started fourth in the 12-lap Winged-Outlaw B Main and finished fifth. In the Non-Wing Outlaws B main, the teen started fifth and raced his way up to second. That placed him in the Last Chance Qualifier where he started 13th. On the first circuit, a three-car tangle just in front of Chiaramonte took place on the back chute. With no time to get out of harm's way, he took evasive action but was tagged by one of the cars. While he was able to continue, he could not advance forward in his wounded car and finished in 14th. The other class he competed in on the Final night was the Stock Non-Wing. In his B main, he started in the seventh position and finished in sixth. Chiaramonte is headed right back to Tulsa where he will contest next week's Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on the same SageNet Center track. As the full 2023 season is just around the corner, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2022 racing season possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data. Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q. May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 8th C Main September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 22nd B Main September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 14th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 16th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 16th B Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 9th A Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main November 11 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 2nd A Main November 12 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 17th A Main December 31 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non-Wing 7th B Main December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw Non-Wing 14th LCQ December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw-Winged 5th B Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- LUCAS OIL POWRi SOUTHWEST LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES 2023 SCHEDULE
(Lakeside, CA, January 2, 2023) The Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series has released its exciting schedule for the 2023 racing season with 19 dates on the slate. Seventeen of the races will be in California and two will be across the border in Arizona. 320926663_6018675031484286_8788656927764865312_n.jpg Among the 19 races will be first-time stops at the Bakersfield Speedway and the Ventura Raceway. In addition, the biggest track lightning sprint cars compete on in the southwest, the half-mile at Perris Auto Speedway will become a regular stop for the first time for the SWLS. An impressive showing by the club at the longtime Riverside County clay oval last September has led to four races at the venue this year. As well as the new tracks, the SWLS will be back in action at familiar racing facilities. The rejuvenated Imperial Valley Raceway will be the club's home track in 2022 with six races scheduled. San Diego County's only ¼ mile dirt oval, the Barona Speedway, will see the SWLS make four trips to town. The club will venture across the border to Arizona two times in 2023. The first trip to the "Copper State" will be on April 1st and the second will be on October 14th. Both of those sojourns will see the SWLS on the same card as the popular USAC/CRA Sprint Cars on the racy Mohave Valley Raceway. "It is going to take a lot of these guys from down here in the San Diego area to tracks they have not been to before," SWLS President Brent Sexton said when asked about the new series venues. "They will be able to compete against some different drivers on different tracks. Hopefully, at some point, we can join forces with the two groups (California Lightning Sprint Cars and Northern California's Bay Cities Racing Association) and have 25 cars and B mains." The SWLS calendar shows a co-sanctioned six-race series with the California Lightning Sprint Cars that is titled "Best of the West." Those six races will feature a $3,000.00 point fund that will be paid out to the top 10 drivers. The season-opening races at Imperial Valley on March 10th and 11th will kick off the "Best of the West." Round #3 will take place at Mohave on April 1st. May 20th will see Bakersfield host round #4. After a two-month break, the next to last race in the BOTW will happen at Ventura on July 22nd before heading back to Mohave to wrap up the series on October 14th. The busiest month for the SWLS in 2022 will be October when it races four times. After the finish of the "Best of the West" series on October 14th, the teams will be right back in action on October 20th and 21st at Imperial Valley. One week later, they head to Barona for the last time in 2023. After two weeks off, the season will end at Perris on November 11th. Being back at Perris, one of the most visible tracks in the country is important for the SWLS. A longtime home to lightning races, last September's SWLS appearance at the track known as The PAS was the first lightning race there in several years. The 18-car field and clean racing made track officials more than happy to schedule the SWLS four times in 2023. "It is huge for us getting to run all of those races there with USAC," Sexton responded when asked what it meant to have the famous track on the schedule. "It is a good thing so we can highlight these lightning sprints. It shows that these things can definitely lead to racing in midgets and sprint cars. It is a step for all of us (lightning sprints) here in California. It will strengthen that gap with the younger generations coming up through the ranks. Hopefully, it will help lightning sprint racing and full-size sprint cars as well." In a change from the 2022 season when the SWLS had seven wingless races, there are only three topless shows on the schedule this year. The first will take place at Imperial on April 22nd. The second will be four months later in August at Barona. The last wingless race of the 2023 campaign will take place at Imperial on October 21st. "At some of the tracks we are at it will make it more entertaining," Sexton said. "Plus the six-race "Best of the West" series with CLS is all winged races." Built into the regular season will be three breaks for teams to travel to the Colorado Nationals in June, Washington's "Dirt Cup" in July, and the "Minkota Nationals" in mid-August. The series is currently hard at work seeking marketing partners for the 2023 campaign. If you or your company would like to be a part of the SWLS this year, call or email Brent Sexton at mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. The Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank Sexton Fire Protection, RTL Traffic Control & Equipment, Victory Graphix, BK Wing, and A.M. Ortega Construction Inc. 2023 Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged March 11 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged April 15 Perris Auto Speedway Winged April 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless May 13 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) May 20 Bakersfield Speedway Winged May 27 Perris Auto Speedway Winged (TBD) June 10 Colorado Nationals Winged (TBD) July 8 Barona Winged (TBD) Deming Speedway Clay Cup Winged (No Points) July 22 Ventura Raceway Winged August 5 Barona Speedway Wingless (TBD) August 19 Perris Auto Speedway Winged August 10-13 13th Minkota Nationals Winged (Non-Points) September 2 Barona Speedway Winged (TBD) September 23 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 14 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged October 20 Imperial Valley Raceway Winged October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway Wingless October 28 Barona Speedway Winged (TBA) November 11 Perris Auto Speedway Winged Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champions 2020 Chris Crowder 2021 Grant Sexton 2022 Brent Sexton This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS SERIES RELEASES 21 RACE SCHEDULE FOR 2023
(Torrance, CA, December 24, 2022) California Lightning Sprint Car Series President Jon Robertson has released a 21-race schedule for the club's 29th season of racing. The campaign will commence with a pair of races at the Imperial Valley Raceway on March 10th & 11th and will conclude with the annual "Hangtown 100" at the Placerville Speedway on November 16th, 17th, and 18th. 321294199_903102144455462_2945131048475801055_n.jpg The season, which will last a little over eight months, will see the series compete on seven different tracks. Eight of those tracks are in California and one is in Arizona. The series will have co-home tracks in 2023 with the Ventura Raceway and the Bakersfield Speedway hosting six races each. As mentioned above. the club will attack Placerville's famous red clay three times and after several years away, the CLS will return to the Imperial Valley Raceway for two nights. Another track with two races on the schedule will be Arizona's 1/3 mile Mohave Valley Raceway. The CLS will make single appearances at the Merced and Ocean Speedways. The appearance at Ocean, which is in Watsonville, California, will be the first ever for the club at the iconic track. As always, the CLS will combine with Northern California's BCRA for the popular "Civil War Series." For 2023 the CWS will be a four-race affair with two races on CLS tracks and two others in BCRA territory. Bakersfield will host the two CLS races in the mini-series on June 3rd and September 9th. The pair of races in BCRA country will be August 19th at the Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway and October 7th at the annual Wayne Albright Memorial at racy Merced Speedway. "Greg (BCRA President Greg Dennett) was able to talk to the promoters from Ocean at the Promoter's Workshop and he got them to lean with us," second year CLS President Jon Robertson said. "We will be a part of one of their prime shows, the Johnny Key Classic. That is not a first-base hit, it is a home run! It is a good facility. I had been there back in the SCRA Sprint Car Series days. I would like to race there more but let's crawl before we fly. It is also a special deal for us to be part of the Wayne Albright Memorial once again at Merced. Everybody loves racing there." In addition to the BCRA, the CLS is joining forces with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars for the first "Best of the West Series." Comprised of six races, the first two for the joint effort will be the season-opening March doubleheader at Imperial. Mohave Valley will host rounds on April 1st and October 14th. Sandwiched in between will be two more series races at Bakersfield on May 20th and Ventura's beachside 1/5 mile oval on July 22nd. The "Best of the West Series" will have a $3,000.00 point fund that will pay the top 10 drivers after the final race. "We have two separate mini-series going on in addition to our regular full-season series," Robertson stated. "We are going with BCRA for our annual "Civil War Series." That is four races. Talking with Brent Sexton (POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series President), we put together a really good "Best of the West" six-race series, too. Each club has put up $1,500.00 and we will pay the top 10 in points. "The series' with BCRA and SWLS are good deals as it helps keep everybody's car count up," Robertson continued. "Many of the guys in the SWLS will get to race some new tracks and we will be heading (back) to Imperial. We have not been there in several years. That is a neat place. They have redone the track configuration and the surface. All of those are going to be good shows. All of our stand-alone shows are real good as well." The busiest week of the campaign will be in mid-November when the CLS teams and drivers will race four times in five nights. On Tuesday the 14th, the CLS and the USAC National Midgets will be at the Bakersfield Speedway. After one night off, the CLS and National Midgets will head north to Placerville for three straight nights of action at the "Hangtown 100." Seventeen of the 21 CLS races will be contested with wings on. The only exceptions are the "Albright Memorial" and the three nights of the "Hangtown 100." "People can call the phone number or email the contact information provided in this press release," Robertson said regarding companies wanting to be a marketing partner with the CLS. "After the New Year, we will continue to work on our contingency awards. We had $13,000.00 or $14,000.00 in contingencies this year. We will start working on that stuff after the first of the year and I hope to get most of those people back. Earlier this month the CLS welcomed RacingJunk as its newest sponsor. To learn more about RacingJunk, please visit the company website at https://www.racingjunk.com/ A month before the launch of the longtime club's racing season, the CLS banquet will take place at Frantone's Pizza & Spaghetti Villa in Cerritos on February 4th. Tickets for the banquet which features presentations, raffles, and great food are $40.00. To order or for more information call (310) 367-9050 or email mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net ?subject=jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net. The following companies were marketing partners with the CLS in 2022. They offered up more than $13,000.00 in contingencies that were awarded on top of the regular racing purses and they were 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. To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints 2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 10 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #1 March 11 Imperial Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #2 March 18 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC Western Midgets April 1 Mohave Valley Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #3 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars April 8 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 13 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars May 20 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 June 3 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series Round" #1 With USAC 360 Sprint Cars June 17 Ventura Raceway CLS With USAC 360 Sprint Cars Wagsdash July 8 Ventura Raceway CLS July 22 Ventura Raceway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #5 August 19 Ocean Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #2, Johnny Key Classic September 9 Bakersfield Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #3 September 23 Ventura Raceway CLS October 7 Merced Speedway CLS/BCRA "Civil War Series" Round #4, Wayne Albright Memorial Non Wing October 14 Mohave Valley Speedway CLS/SWLS "Best of the West" Round #4 With USAC/CRA Sprint Cars October 28 Ventura Raceway CLS November 14 Bakersfield Speedway CLS With USAC National Midgets November 16 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 17 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing November 18 Placerville Speedway "Hangtown 100" No Points Non Wing 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 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE FINISHING OFF 2022 AT THE ANNUAL TULSA SHOOTOUT
(El Cajon, CA, December 18, 2022) After a six-week break in his busy racing schedule, one of the nation's brightest young open-wheel stars, Braden Chiaramonte, will close out the 2022 season in this week's 38th Annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout. It will be the second straight year that Chiaramonte has made the trek to the "Sooner State" for the prestigious race. As this piece went to press, 15-year-old Chiaramonte was one of 1,536 pre-entered drivers. That number is expected to grow by the time the first race takes the green flag on Tuesday inside the massive SageNet Center at 7:00 p.m. CST. Racing will continue the following four nights culminating with the main events on Saturday. Once the action kicks off, Chiaramonte will be a very busy driver. For the second year in a row at Tulsa, the El Cajon, California teen will be wheeling one of the Hyper House cars in the A Class Wing and Non-Wing divisions. That would be enough to keep some drivers busy for the week. However, it is only half the workload Chiaramonte is going to incur as he will also be racing his family-owned #73B in the Outlaw Non-Wing and Winged classes. What that boils down to is the fact that the young race-hungry star will be competing multiple times every night in all four classes. Competing in four different classes should be no sweat for Chiaramonte. Thus far in 2022, he has raced 36 times in cars ranging from Micro Sprints to USAC National Midgets and Winged 360 Sprint Cars. His travels have seen him take the green flag in six different states (California, Oklahoma, Indiana, Texas, Nebraska, and Arizona) on 16 different tracks. Those tracks range from the Adobe Mountain Speedway in Arizona to a specially built clay oval in the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Racing against some of the best veteran drivers in the nation, the well-spoken teen had 15 top-10 finishes, six top-five results, and two wins. The wins came in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series at the Imperial Valley Raceway on April 23rd and on the half-mile at Perris Auto Speedway on September 17th. It was on New Year's Day this year that Chiaramonte's name grabbed the attention of fans across the nation. Then 14 years old and racing against 435 other drivers in the Stock Non-Wing class, he closed the important race week with an impressive ninth-place finish. Up till then, he was one of the best-kept secrets in open-wheel racing. That performance and subsequent showings throughout the 2022 campaign let the cat out of the bag and he is no longer a stranger to open-wheel racing fans across North America. Festivities in Tulsa began on Monday morning when teams parked their rigs and purchased pit passes for the week of racing. Practice for all classes will commence on Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. with racing at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, racing will begin at 9:00 a.m. each day. For fans unable to break away and get to Tulsa, every single lap of racing action is available with a subscription to Flo Racing. Full details on how you can watch Chiaramonte in all his races are available at https://www.floracing.com/. Chiaramonte would like to thank sponsors RTL Traffic Control and A.M. Ortega Construction for making this week's racing junket to Tulsa possible. In other exciting news, Chiaramonte will be headed right back to Tulsa and the SageNet Center for the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals the second week in Janusry. Considered by many to be the most important midget race in the world, Chiaramonte will kick off his 2023 season behind the wheel of the Pete Davis Spike Chassis/Esslinger powered #00. As the full 2023 season is just around the corner, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and affable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2022 racing season possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data. Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q. May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 8th C Main September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 22nd B Main September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 14th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 16th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 16th B Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 9th A Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main November 11 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 2nd A Main November 12 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 17th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- DYER MOTORSPORTS 2022 SEASON WRAP UP
(Yucca Valley, CA, December 11, 2022) Dyer Motorsports concluded its 2022 season with races in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series at the Bakersfield and Placerville Speedways in November. The nine-month campaign saw four Dyer team drivers compete in 31 races in three different series. 319516619_681993760186206_1590081883721375343_n.jpg Seth Dyer will be running for Rookie of the Year with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints in 2023. Roger Seymour photo. Jeff Dyer led the Yucca Valley, California-based team with 29 appearances. Twenty of those came in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series. Six were in competition in the USAC/CRA 410 Series and three came with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints. In his 20 starts with the CLS, the California Highway Patrol Officer placed in the top ten 12 different times. Ten of those came when he finished in the top five. His best results of the season with the CLS were a quintuple of second-place results including four in a row from April 30th through May 21st. Likewise, his best finish in the SWLS was a second at Perris Auto Speedway in September. The longtime driver contested six USAC/CRA races on five different tracks with his best showing being a 13th at the Perris season opener on March 26th. Dyer's initial idea was to focus on the USAC series, but early season engine issues saw his plan switch to chasing the CLS title. When the final checkered of the year ended the campaign, he was fourth overall. Fifteen-year-old Seth began the year racing Speedway Sprints at Wheel2Wheel Raceway in Victorville. However, after a practice session in a lightning sprint at the Bakersfield Speedway, it was determined that it was time for him to take another step up in his racing career and move up full-time to lightnings. Debuting at Bakersfield on June 11th, the teen contested 13 races. Ten of his races came with the CLS and three were in the SWLS. His best finishes were a pair of 10th-place results at the Ventura Raceway. The highlight of his season came when officials removed his rookie flag at Ventura on October 29th. For the first time, the youngster was allowed to start in the position he qualified in, and in his heat race, he promptly went out and led every inch of the way for his first-ever CLS win. That triumph was extremely popular not only with his own team but also with all the other teams in the pits as Seth has been a longtime friend to everyone in the series. Phelan's Cal Smith, who has raced for over 30 years, got in four races with Dyer Motorsports at the end of the campaign. A longtime friend of Dyer's and a partner on his 410 sprint car team, the friendly driver got back in the cockpit near the end of the season and shook off years of rust with two top-10 finishes. They came on back-to-back nights at the Hangtown 100 at the Placerville Speedway in mid-November. When work forced Jeff to miss a couple of races in October, Sydney, Australia's J.D. Bentley stepped in. On October 21st and 22nd, he took part in the POWRi races at the Imperial Valley Raceway. The first night saw him sail to the victory in the main event. Twenty-four hours later he crossed the line in fifth. 2023 will have a different look for Dyer Motorsports. Instead of running full-time in a lightning sprint car, Jeff will be concentrating on running his 410 sprinter in the USAC/CRA Series. Also, he will spend more time mentoring Seth's career. When his schedule permits, he will make periodic appearances with the CLS and the SWLS. Seth's focus in 2023 will be on competing for the Rookie of the Year crown in the POWRi Series and making some appearances with the CLS. Work is already underway on getting the cars in order for next season and on securing marketing partnerships. If you would Like to be a part of this fun, fast-rising team, please use the contact information at the top of this release to talk to Dyer Motorsports. At this time, Jeff and every person at Dyer Motorsports would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year. Jeff raced in memory of his grandfather Glenn Sels throughout the 2022 season. Jeff would like to thank the following for making the 2022 racing campaign possible in the #4 Lightning Sprint Car. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners helped put him on the track. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2022, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2022 Results 3-5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest 13th A Main 3-25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3-26 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th A Main 4-1 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 14th A Main 4-2 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA 23rd A Main 4-16 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 4-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th B Main 4-30 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 1 4-30 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 2 5-14 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5-14 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 5-21 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5-28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 6-11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 6-25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 7-16 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 7-23 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 8-6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main* 8-25 Silver Dollar Speedway California Lightning Sprints 16th A Main 8-26 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 9-10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 9-17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 9-24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 10-1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 10-8 Mohave Valley Raceway California Lightning/POWRi Southwest 11th A Main 11-15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 15th A Main 11-17 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 11-18 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 11-19 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 6-11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 6-25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 15th A Main 7-16 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 7-23 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 8-6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprints 14th A Main 8-25 Silver Dollar Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 9-10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprints 14th A Main 9-17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 16th A Main 9-24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 18th A Main 10-20 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 10-29 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 10-22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 11-15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main Cal Smith 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 11-17 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 11-18 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 11-19 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main J.D. Bentley 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 10-22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 10-23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 5th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING ENDS THE 2022 SEASON AT THE TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX
(Lakeside, CA, December 2, 2022) Nine months after it opened the season at the Imperial Valley Raceway, Sexton Gatlin Racing brought the curtain down on its 2022 campaign when Grant Sexton competed in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series portion of the 81st Turkey Night Grand Prix at the Ventura Raceway. The historic race was contested in front of a near-sellout crowd and watched by others around the world on the Flo Racing Network. Dating back to 1934, the Turkey Night Grand Prix is the third oldest race in the United States, trailing only the Indianapolis 500 and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Some of the biggest names in USA racing have won Turkey Night including A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Tony Bettenhausen, Tony Stewart, and Kyle Larson. Just to say that a driver has competed in the Turkey Night Grand Prix is a feather in the racer's cap and an honor. Sexton's participation in the sprint car portion of this year's race adds the SGR driver's name to the long list of racers who have competed in the coveted event. The Lakeside, California native's first TNGP action came on Friday in a 10-lap heat. Starting on the outside of the front row, Sexton was third entering turn one on the first lap. He slipped back to fourth at the end of the opening circuit but racing on the track where he won the main event in his first-ever sprint car start, he raced back to third before the checkered flag. Not long thereafter, the 18-year-old came back onto the track known as "The Best Little Dirt Track In America" for his 12-lap qualifier. In that race, he started sixth. The 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car champion advanced one spot forward to fifth on the second lap. He drove a smooth race the rest of the way and was still in fifth at the end. The teenage racer gave a good account of himself all night by racing fast and smoothly against his more experienced sprint car competitors. More importantly, he stayed out of trouble on a night when it seemed like there was carnage every other lap. Saturday saw the cars line up based on points accumulated on Friday. Sexton's good performance saw him start on the inside of row three in one of the 12-lap B mains. All he had to do was finish in the top six to earn his ticket into the 30-lap Turkey Night Grand Prix main event. Early on, the teen was shuffled back as far as seventh but an aggressive move on lap two saw him move all the way back up to fourth. After a restart on lap three, he got sideways in turn four and got punted by another car. A quick recovery meant that he only lost one position back to fifth. He stayed in fifth until there were two laps to go and it looked like he was going to transfer into the main event. However, just in front of him in turn three, two cars tangled leaving the young driver with nowhere to go. Try as he might, he could not miss the mess, and he became involved in it. Unfortunately, the pretty #22 car suffered enough damage to prevent it from restarting. So, what looked like a sure transfer to the A main ended up with a frustrating 13th-place finish. It also brought an end to SGR's 2022 season. The Turkey Night Grand Prix closed the books on a highly successful season for Sexton Gatlin Racing. Patriarch Brent Sexton won the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series championship. In addition, in 29 races, the team racked up an astounding 19 main event victories. That kind of success does not come easy, and SGR is ready to begin the hard work for another successful year in 2023. If you or your company is interested in becoming a partner with this front-running team, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Sexton/Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Johnny Motorhead, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, Swift Powdercoat, Maxima Oil, Automated Interior, and an extra special thanks to Scotty and Jimmy Keys. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2022 Schedule March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Dalton 1st - Brent 7th - Grant 15th March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Brent 1st - Dalton 3rd - Grant 4th March 25 Bakersfield Speedway CLS Winged - Grant 1st - Brent 8th - Dalton 17th April 16 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprints - Grant 1st April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Bezio 3rd - Brent 4th - Dalton 5th April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Grant 1st - Brent 4th - Dalton 5th May 14 Barona Speedway POWRi Wingless - Dalton 1st - Bezio 2nd - Brent 3rd May 28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Grant DNS June 11 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Grant 1st - Brent 2nd - Dalton 11th June 25 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Dalton 1st - Brent 2nd - Grant 3rd July 9 Barona Speedway POWRi Wingless - Brent 1st - Grant 2nd - Dalton 6th August 6 Santa Maria Raceway CLS Winged - Brent 1st - Dalton 15th August 6th Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Grant 11th B Main August 11 Norman County Speedway Minkota Nationals Winged - Dalton 8th - Brent 13th - Grant 25th August 12 River Cities Raceway Minkota Nationals Winged - Brent 1st - Grant 9th - Dalton 11th August 13 Greenbush Race Park Minkota Nationals Winged - Grant 6th - Brent 11th - Dalton 13th August 14 Minkota Nationals Minkota Nationals Winged - Grant 1st - Dalton 15th - Brent DNS Sept. 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Winged - Chiaramonte 1st - Brent 4th - Dalton 18th October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Grant 1st - Dalton 4th - Brent DNS October 8 Mojave Valley Raceway POWRi/CLS Winged - Brent 1st - A.J. Bender 2nd - Dalton 3rd October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Grant DNS October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Winged - Dalton 3rd - Grant 4th - Brent Horn 8th October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Brent 1st - Horn 8th - Dalton 14th October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprint Cars - Grant 3rd Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway BCRA/CLS Winged Brent 9th - Grant DNS Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless AJ Bender 1st - Grant 2nd - Brent 12th - Dalton 15th Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless AJ Bender 1st - Brent 5th - Grant 6th - Dalton 10th Nov. 19 Placerville Speedway q CRA/CLS Wingless Grant 1st - AJ Bender 2nd - Dalton 12th - Brent 20th Nov. 25 Ventura Raceway Turkey Night G.P. USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Grant 6th in Qualifier Nov. 26 Ventura Raceway Turkey Night G.P. USAC West Coast Sprint Cars Grant 13th B Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- "SHUGAH" SHANE SEXTON GETS A THIRD-PLACE FINISH ON LAST WEEKEND OF THE SEASON AT PLACERVILLE
(Warner Springs, CA, December 1, 2022) Shane Sexton brought the curtain down on his 2022 racing season at the three-night Hangtown 100 at the Placerville Speedway. Driving for Brian Fonseca, whom he has teamed with for two victories in 2022, the 18-year-old driver had a third-place finish on the second night on the quarter-mile banked red clay Oval. Night #1 A stellar field of 26 cars showed up for the race that was co-sanctioned by the California Lightning Sprint Car Series, and Northern California's Bay Cities Racing Association. The affable 18-year-old got off to a good start when he recorded the fourth-fastest qualifying time with a sizzling lap of 13.751. That effort placed him in the first 8-lap heat race of the three-night affair. Fortunately, that heat result did not resonate on the entire weekend as Sexton started in the 5th place spot and ended up 7th. He followed the heat up by starting the 25-lap main in 10th in Fonseca's #3F. He moved the car forward four spots and finished six. Night #2 Sexton, who makes his home in Warner Springs, California, had another good qualifying effort on night number two. That time he recorded the fifth-fastest lap at 13.644. Things went much better for his heat race on the second night when he began in fifth and finished fourth in the quick 8-lapper. Not long thereafter, the driver who picked up preliminary main event wins at Washington's Clay Cup and the Cal Cup at the Lemoore Speedway was fired up and ready for the main event. He started on the inside of the second row and 100 turns later, he crossed the finish line in third place. It was his 7th top-five finish of the 2022 season. It was an impressive finish considering that the condition of the track for the main caught the team by surprise. "I did not think it was going to be this dry," Sexton explained. "We probably could have went a little bit tighter. Hats off to my guys, Brian Fonseca, and my dad. They work their tails off throughout the night. We have had some success all around the country. We normally do not do the local stuff for Brian, but he called and asked if I wanted to drive it and I could not say no. Third place on the podium is not too bad." 316166392_1752841241764061_2197171293471255483_n.jpg Shane Sexton with his Friday night third place trophy at Placerville. Sexton photo. Night #3 Hopes were high for the Sexton/Fonseca duo in the final race of the year. Coming off the previous night's podium finish combined with their success in big events this year, there were plenty of reasons to believe that the night was going to be special. Those expectations grew higher when Sexton started and finished second in his 12-lap qualifier. That put him on the outside of row two for the feature. However, this is no fairy tale and the main event did not have a happy ending. On lap six, Sexton tangled with another car in turn one. While it was not a heavy crash, the damage done was enough to knock him out of the race. He ended up with a very frustrating 18th-place finish. While the 2022 campaign is done, the work is already underway for 2023. Sexton will be spending countless hours in the shop getting his family-owned GAS Chassis 410 sprint car ready to go at the season openers in late January. He plans to run the full season with USAC/CRA. He also hopes to see some time in Fonseca's potent car in select events when his 410 racing schedule permits. In addition to prepping the cars, the young driver is looking to have some corporate marketing partners join him for the year. If you are interested, please contact him via the information that follows: e-mail mailto::Shanesexton7@gmail.com or by phone at (619) 362-5921. If you are looking to get into sprint car racing, you can use the same contact information to purchase or get information on a new GAS Chassis for the 2023 campaign. Sexton would like to thank Brian Fonseca and Samantha Sproull for the opportunity to wheel their lightning sprint and he would like to thank their team sponsors for making it possible. They are the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Foothill Tractor & Heavy Equipment, KB Rod Benders, and MJK Auto Sales. Sexton and the #74 team wish to extend their thanks to the following 2022 racing season partners. GAS Chassis, Key Brothers Racing, Nita Gatlin, Hugh Jorgan, Mike Pridgeon Racing Engines, AG Sandcars, Powder 1, Ron's Tire and Brake, and Savage Racing. Shane Sexton's 2022 Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main January 29 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main March 26 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main April 22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main April 29 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 22nd A Main May 28 Central Missouri Speedway POWRi Lightning Sprint 2nd A Main May 29 Central Missouri Speedway POWRi Lightning Sprint 14th A Main July 14 Deming Speedway Clay Cup Lightning Sprint 5th A Main July 15 Deming Speedway Clay Cup Lightning Sprint 1st A Main July 16 Deming Speedway Clay Cup Lightning Sprint 21st A Main August 6 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main October 13 Lemoore Raceway California Cup 5th A Main October 14 Lemoore Raceway California Cup 1st A Main October 15 Lemoore Raceway California Cup 5th A Main November 17 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 6th A Main November 18 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 3rd A Main November 19 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 18th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 or mailto:sdaloisiosprts@gmail.com
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING WINS ALL THREE NIGHTS OF HANGTOWN 100 AT PLACERVILLE
(Lakeside, CA, November 29, 2022) Sexton Gatlin Racing drivers Grant Sexton and AJ Bender combined to win all three nights of the prestigious Hangtown 100 at the Placerville Speedway. In addition to the victories, SGR drivers also had two second-place finishes. The performances gave the Lakeside, California-based team five of the nine trophies passed out to lightning sprint car drivers in the three nights of action on the famous red clay banked quarter-mile oval. 1200x1200-K9pjC23fPzx779998.jpg Grant Sexton does the cage dance after winning the lightning sprint car portion of the Hangtown 100. M&MRACINGPHOTOS.COM Night #1 After making the trek up from the Bakersfield Speedway on Wednesday, SGR had four drivers ready to rumble on Thursday night. They were met by 22 other top drivers in cars from the California Lightning Sprint Car Series and Northern California's BCRA. Soon to be 20-year-old Dalton Sexton got the ball rolling in qualifying when he turned in the second fastest time at 13.523. San Diego's AJ Bender, who recorded three second-place finishes at Placerville for SGR at last year's Hangtown, was the third-fast qualifier at 13.541. 18-year-old Grant Sexton was seventh quick at 13.894 and family patriarch Brent Sexton turned in the 10th quickest time when he stopped the clocks at 13.966. The first eight-lap heat race at the three-day dirt racing fest saw Grant finish second after starting fourth. Brent started one spot ahead of his youngest offspring in the same heat and placed fifth. Dalton had no family members to deal with in heat race #2. The second fastest qualifier started sixth in that eight-lapper and finish eighth. SGR wrapped up its participation in the heat races when Bender came from sixth to second in heat race #3. When the cars rolled down the hill to the racetrack for the 25-lap main event, 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Grant was starting on the pole. Bender was starting on the outside of the second row. Dalton was on the inside of row five and Brent had the worst starting spot for the team coming from the outside of the eighth row. Grant set the pace for the first six laps of the race. However, Bender had worked his way up to second, and just before a red flag due to a driver getting upside down, he relieved Grant of the top spot. Bender's tenure at the point only lasted three laps before another car drove underneath him for the lead in turn three. However, the new leader bit the cushion in turn two on the 11th circuit handing the lead back to Bender and allowing Grant to move up to second. Grant immediately closed in on Bender and started dogging him for the lead. He tried to race by on the inside on lap 17, but Bender fended off the advances. The teen kept the heat on and it looked as though it would be a fight to the finish, but Grant had issues with the turn two cushion on lap 21 and allowed Bender to pull away for a convincing win four laps later. Grant ended up second with Brent 12th and Dalton 15th. "I totally forgot about last year, so thanks for reminding me," Bender laughed when talented USAC mic man Drake York asked him about his feelings after finally winning following three runner-up finishes in 2021. "It is cool. I am finally glad to get one because running second three times sucked. The car is a little off and we are trying to figure it out. It is the first time I am in it. I have to give a big shout-out to Phil and Wyatt (Boczanowski). Wyatt drives it and Phil owns the car. They let the SGR team bring it up here so I could drive it. We were doing homework on it trying to figure it out. We still have some stuff to work on. This one pays less. I want to win the one on Saturday. I have to thank Phil and Wyatt again, the whole SGR team, and my wife and daughter at home." Night #2 Like the first night, 26 cars showed up for night number two of the Hangtown 100, and qualifying was the first thing on the agenda. A bad omen for the competition came when Thursday night winner Bender outqualified the field with a time of 13.341. Grant was the second quickest of the SGR cars when he timed in fourth fast at 13.644. Dalton's lap of 13.884 was good for the 14th spot and Brent, at 14.321, was 19th. The first eight-lap heat race on night #2 included three SGR drivers. They were Grant, who started fifth, Bender who started alongside his young teammate and Brent who was coming from seventh. The youngster got the best of his two teammates when he finished second in the heat. Brent advanced his position four spots to finish third and Bender ended up fourth. Dalton was up in the next heat race and was off the outside of the front row. Unfortunately, he ended up placing fifth. That meant he did not transfer straight into the A main and would have to run the semi. He was off the pole to start the semi and ended up third. That was good enough to punch his ticket into the main event with his three teammates. Much to the chagrin of the competition, Bender was beginning the 25-lap main event on the outside of the second row. Grant was on the inside of row two with Brent beginning on the outside of the fifth row. Dalton, due to having to run the B main, started 17th. Bender did not lead the first lap in his sleek, black #22 car but coming off turn #4 on the second circuit he took the top spot away and was basically unchallenged for the remainder of the race. He had few problems throughout the race with the exception of the lapped traffic at the very end but by that time he had established a huge lead and once again won by nearly ½ straight away. Brent charged up five spots in the main for his best finish of the weekend when he came home fifth. Grant, who later said he missed the setup on the night, ended up sixth and Dalton charged from 17th all the way up to 10th. "Once I got in lapped traffic, I could hear cars everywhere so I was not sure where they (his closest pursuers) were at," he told the crowd after the race. "I was really thinking it was going to be on the top, but it just kept working on the bottom. I just kind of stuck to my guns there. Its not the funnest going around the bottom for 25 laps, but it is fun talking to you at the end of the night. I will take it. Again like last night, I have to thank Phil and Wyatt (Boczanowski). This car is a rocket ship. They are trying to sell it so I am trying to make it look good. I have to thank Seth (crew chief Seth Kramer), Nita (Nita Gatlin from SGR), Brent (Brent Sexton from SGR), and all the SGR people for putting up with me. Seth is a one-man team overlooking four cars. So, he is earning his money. Thank you to my wife and daughter at home and to my family." Night #3 The final chilly night rolled around and the format was a bit different. There was no qualifying and no heat races. There were two 12-lap qualifiers lined up by points from the previous two nights. The way the drivers finished those qualifiers would determine where they started in the main event. There was also a last chance B main for the final starting spots in the 30-lap finale. Bender started on the pole for the first qualifier and ended up finishing third. That earned him a ticket straight into the last lightning sprint car race in California in 2022. Dalton was in the same qualifier, but he finished 10th after starting 7th which meant he had to go to the B main. Grant and Brent were in the second qualifier. Grant started on the pole and won the race and Brent started 4th and stayed there for the duration. To get into the 30-lap main, Dalton was going to have to do some work in this semi. He was starting 9th and that meant he had to move forward. That is just what he did as he advanced four spots to finish in the fifth-place position. Bender was on the outside of the front row for the main, That was a bad omen for the competition. Grant was coming from fifth. Brent had his colorful #44 in the eighth starting spot for the last race of the year with Dalton beginning in 15th. After witnessing his winning performances on the first two nights, many in the crowd were surprised that Bender wasn't leading going into turn number one. However, he eased their shock when he raced into the lead. Many in the crowd probably thought they were in for a snore fest once the 29-year-old commandeered the top spot. As it turned out it was anything but that. Unfortunately, things did not go quite as well for newly crowned 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Brent. On lap four, a car clipped the inside berm and flipped. In the ensuing scramble caused by the tumbling car, Brent got clobbered by another competitor and knocked out of the race. Bender led eight go arounds but got surprised when another car shot by him and stole the lead. That lasted for about 2 laps before Bender chased the new leader down and retook the top spot. Soon thereafter, chilly fans in the grandstands noticed Grant streaking toward the front. This one was about to get exciting in a hurry. Even though he had retaken the lead, Bender, who was running the top, had his hands full with another driver who was rolling the bottom to perfection and battling hard for the lead. After several advances by his foe, Bender dipped to the low side of the track slowing his pursuer down. By that time though, he was about to have something else to worry about as Grant was coming on like a runaway freight train. Much to the delight of the fans, Grant was pounding the cushion in a daring display that was reminiscent of his spectacular win at the Bakersfield Speedway on March 25th. The teen slid into second on the 18th circuit. The yellow came out two laps later and Grant was glued to Bender's rear end for the restart. The race only got one more lap completed before another yellow flag came out. However, Grant had inched ahead of Bender at the conclusion of that lap. That put the teen in first place with nine laps to go. Once the race began again, Bender launched a ferocious attack. For three straight laps, he dove to the bottom going into one and slid up the track only to find Grant alongside. Up against the cushion, the youngster would beat him back to turn three. Bender went to the top in one and two on lap 25 and it appeared that the fight was over and Grant was going to cruise to the victory. He moved away to a one-second lead and seemingly had everything under control. But somebody forgot to inform Bender. With two laps to go he came storming toward the front once again. On both lap 29 and lap 30, he threw massive slide jobs on his teammate trying to tear the lead away. But the kid held tough and went on to score a crowd-pleasing victory. Bender ended up second with Dalton coming home in the 12th spot. Brent getting clobbered by someone else saw him get credit for 20th. "Everyone was around the bottom and I knew I wasn't going to get them by following," Sexton told the appreciative crowd. "Guess my balls were feeling a little swollen tonight because we were rippin' the top. Honestly, trying to earn myself a midget ride out here and prove I am a driver. I couldn't have done it without Seth (crew chief Seth Kramer), and everyone working on my cars, my dad, and my Nana. AJ, he's taught me so much about racing with him. I hate to take his sweep away, but man, that felt good. I am always trying to beat that guy." "I think we missed the set up a little bit," second-place finisher Bender told the fans. "I wasn't expecting it to be this dry so I made some last-minute choices. I think they were a little off. Grant railed around me and I was like, 'dang I gotta' get up there and start doing it.' I am glad Grant got it, and SGR is one and two and we get some more trophies to add." Sexton/Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Johnny Motorhead, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, Swift Powdercoat, Maxima Oil, Automated Interior, and an extra special thanks to Scotty and Jimmy Keys. If you or your business wants to partner up with one of the most visible Lightning Sprint teams on the West Coast for the 2023 season, please call (619) 454-6945. You can also E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2022 Schedule March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless Dalton 1st - Brent 7th - Grant 15th March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless Brent 1st - Dalton 3rd - Grant 4th March 25 Bakersfield Speedway CLS Winged Grant 1st - Brent 8th - Dalton 17th April 16 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprints Grant 1st April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless Bezio 3rd - Brent 4th - Dalton 5th April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged Grant 1st - Brent 4th - Dalton 5th May 14 Barona Speedway POWRi Wingless Dalton 1st - Bezio 2nd - Brent 3rd May 28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Grant DNS June 11 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged Grant 1st - Brent 2nd - Dalton 11th June 25 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged Dalton 1st - Brent 2nd - Grant 3rd July 9 Barona Speedway POWRi Wingless Brent 1st - Grant 2nd - Dalton 6th August 6 Santa Maria Raceway CLS Winged Brent 1st - Dalton 15th August 6th Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Grant 11th B Main August 11 Norman County Speedway Minkota Nationals Winged Dalton 8th - Brent 13th - Grant 25th August 12 River Cities Raceway Minkota Nationals Winged Brent 1st - Grant 9th - Dalton 11th August 13 Greenbush Race Park Minkota Nationals Winged Grant 6th - Brent 11th - Dalton 13th August 14 Minkota Nationals Minkota Nationals Winged Grant 1st - Dalton 15th - Brent DNS Sept. 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Winged Chiaramonte 1st - Brent 4th - Dalton 18th October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged Grant 1st - Dalton 4th - Brent DNS October 8 Mojave Valley Raceway POWRi/CLS Winged Brent 1st - A.J. Bender 2nd - Dalton 3rd October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Grant DNS October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Winged Dalton 3rd - Grant 4th - Brent Horn 8th October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless Brent 1st - Horn 8th - Dalton 14th October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprint Cars Grant 3rd Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway BCRA/CLS Winged Brent 9th - Grant DNS Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless AJ Bender 1st - Grant 2nd - Brent 12th - Dalton 15th Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless AJ Bender 1st - Brent 5th - Grant 6th - Dalton 10th Nov. 19 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless Grant 1st - AJ Bender 2nd - Dalton 12th - Brent 20th This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING HAS A TOUGH NIGHT AT BAKERSFIELD
(Glendora, California, November 26, 2022) Impressive young racer Will Browne brought his rookie season in lightning sprint cars to a close in impressive fashion by finishing sixth at the "6th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship" at the Bakersfield Speedway. The race was co-sanctioned by the California Lightning Sprint Car Series and Northern California's Bay Cities Racing Association. It was also the final race of the five-race "Civil War Series" matching CLS drivers vs BCRA racers and the final points-paying race for the CLS in 2022. 305255847_762704451652371_2366630231652135019_n.jpg Will Browne placed second in the CLS standings and fourth in the Civil War Series in 2022. Lance Jennings photo. Browne, 18, has had a wonderful rookie season in lightning sprint cars. He started out on the first weekend in March when he placed 5th and 6th in a pair of POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series races at the Imperial Valley Raceway. After that weekend, he mostly competed with the rival CLS where he was never worse than seventh in the season-long championship standings and was locked into fourth most of the five-race "Civil War Series." The lanky driver was in those positions when he arrived at Bakersfield for what turned out to be his last race of the year. 2022 High School graduate Browne, who lives in Glendora, California, led the CLS rookie of the year standings for most of the 2022 campaign. However, he slipped a second in that competition late in the year. Two races before the Bakersfield affair, he was 72 points behind the leader of the rookie standings. Coming into the Bakersfield event, he had whittled 32 points off that disadvantage and was only 39 out at the beginning of the finale. Twenty-three cars showed up for the race at the 1/3 mile bank clay oval that is in the middle of Bakersfield's rich oil fields. Browne got things going in a good way when he timed in 5th fastest of those 23 cars with a lap of 14.287. That placed him in the fifth starting spot for the eight-lap heat race. The young driver steered the handsome "Win Now Racing" #8 to a sixth-place finish. For the final 30-lap main of the 2022 campaign, Browne started on the outside of the sixth row in the 12th position. On the original start, he stayed out of trouble when the car in front of him flipped wildly in turn two. For the restart, he moved up to the outside of row five and methodically moved his way forward throughout the race. By lap six, he was up to eighth. Four laps later he had advanced another position to seventh. He stayed out of trouble the entire race and came home sixth to close his 2022 season. Browne hacked 14 more points off his disadvantage in the "Rookie of the Year" chase in Bakersfield. That means, he chopped 47 points off in two races! However, that was not enough and he fell 25 points short of capturing the crown. While he did not win that award, his fourth-place result in the "Civil War Series" was the best of any of the first-year drivers. Fourth in the CWS and seventh in the CLS were products of his smooth calculating style. His results in year one were extremely impressive and so was his great personality throughout the season. Perhaps the most amazing stat in Browne's first season portfolio is the fact that he placed in the top 10 13 times in 17 starts. In addition, seven of his top 10s were in the top five. His best result of the year was a second-place conclusion at Chico at the end of August. With his rookie season completed, Browne is now looking toward 2023. In addition to working on equipment, he will be seeking marketing partners for his sophomore campaign. If you are looking for a young driver to be involved with, you need to look no further than Will Browne. In addition to his prowess behind the wheel, he is an extremely well-spoken, friendly young man who likes repping for his partners and meeting fans. He has a good social media presence that includes a very entertaining YouTube channel. If you would like to join the pleasant driver as a marketing partner for the 2023 campaign, drop an email or give him a call at the following: willbrowne88@gmail.com or (626) 261-5310. Be sure to visit and signup for Browne's YouTube channel at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSNglz0llw. Browne and the "Win Now Racing" team would like to thank marketing partner Pacific Panel Products for being a part of his rookie campaign in lightning sprint cars Will Browne 2022 Racing Results March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main April 2 Merced Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 7th A Main May 14 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main May 21 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main June 11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main June 25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars DNS June 25 Ventura Raceway WMR Midgets 7th A Main August 6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway CLS/BCRA Lightning Sprint Cars 2ND A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway CLS/BCRA Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main September 10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 12th A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main September 24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 11th A Main October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars DNS October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars DNS October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 16th A Main October 29 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main November 15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909) 226-7768
- GRANT SEXTON RIM RIDES TO THRILLING MAIN EVENT WIN IN HANGTOWN 100 FINALE AT PLACERVILLE
(Torrance, CA, November 25, 2022) Teenage racer Grant Sexton closed the California Lightning Sprint Car Series 2022 season the same way he began it eight months earlier when he rim-rode his way to a thrilling victory in the finale of the "Hangtown 100" at the Placerville Speedway. The win in the race that was co-sanctioned by Northern California's BCRA, gave Sexton Gatlin Racing a clean sweep of the event as Sexton's teammate, AJ Bender, captured the first two nights. 316541914_1279363969272986_1358255239783212506_n.jpg Grant Sexton after winning the finale of the Hangtown 100 at Placerville. M&M Racing Photo. Orangevale's Harlee Aguilera was on the pole for the final lightning sprint car race in California in 2022. Bender, a veteran driver who resides in San Diego was on the outside of the front row. Row two was made-up of BCRA president Greg Dennett of Fremont and Warner Springs teen "Shugah" Shane Sexton. Grant Saxton, who lives in Lakeside, and Lakewood, Colorado's Johnny Boos were in row three. The 30-lap main on the picturesque 57-year-old track kicked off with track announcer Gary Thomas' familiar refrain, "It Is About To Go Down In Old Hangtown." Aguilera was the first driver to reach turn one with Bender and Dennett right behind. Bender swept by Aguilera coming out of turn three on lap one to take over the lead. The race did not stay green for long as Placerville local Shane Hopkins rolled to a stop in turn one on the second lap bringing out the first yellow flag of the race. Once the race got going again, Boos advanced his standing by one position would he took Aguilera for third. However, the green light did not stay on for long. Going into turn 3 on the 4th circuit Waterford's Dakota Albright clipped the inside berm and flipped. That knocked the 2021 BCRA champion out of the race early, on what for him was a see-saw weekend. At the Thursday opener, he exited the race early with a blown tire. Twenty-four hours later, he raced to an impressive second-place finish. He wrapped it up with the frustrating flip that knocked him out of the race. Albright was not the only casualty in the red flag incident. Behind his flipping car Brent Sexton, the 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car champion, was clobbered by another car as they swept wide to avoid Albright's tumbling racer. The damage ended Sexton's race at that point. The race resumed with Bender still in his familiar first-place position. He was being chased by Boos, Aguilera, Dennett, and 2021 "Hangtown 100" champion Logan Seavey of Sutter, California. Chris Crowder of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who won night two at Hangtown in 2021, relieved Seavey of fifth on lap four. Soon thereafter, the yellow reared its frustrating, ugly head again when Shane Sexton and 2022 BCRA champion Matt Land ended their race by mixing it up in turn one. The third restart, which came on lap 6, still found Bender in command. Boos, was still second with Dennett, and Aguilera third and fourth. At that time, Grant Sexton, who started fifth but who was shuffled backward in lap one traffic chaos, was starting to make his presence felt as he was up to eighth. Hard-driving Boos began stalking Bender for the lead and his dogging paid off at the end of the eighth go-round when he shot into the top spot. Trying to score the hat trick for the week Bender immediately went on the attack of the pacesetter. If those two battling for the lead were not enough, Dennett, who was rolling the bottom like a boss, came calling and was just inches behind the lead duo. Bender ran it hard on the inside in one in two on lap 10 and nearly snatched the lead back. One lap later he did the same and pulled next to Boos. As they came off turn two inches apart, Boos ran out of racetrack and slipped over the cushion. That not only allowed Bender to get by, but Dennett passed the black #24 as well. One lap later Dennett turned the heat up on Bender and tried to pry the lead from his grasp. Bender was equal to the challenge and maintained his lofty position on top of the heap. However, behind them, Grant Sexton was getting a lot of attention from the fans with some daring rim riding. The affable teenager was up to third and was yearning for more. Dennett again tried to wrestle the lead away in one and two on the 13th orbit. Bender fought him off and decided enough is enough. One lap later when they hit turn one, Bender changed lines and dropped to the bottom in front of Dennett. While he continued to hold the top spot, Grant Sexton eyed the open lane on the top and continued to close in on the leaders. While he was only in third place, Grant Sexton's brave run on the outside was warming up the fans on the chilly night. His attack on the cushion was relentless and he caught a good chunk of it in the middle of three and four on lap 18. The jolt straightened his eye-catching #3 out and shot him to the bottom and to the inside of Dennett. Dennett was not by any means handing the keys to second over to his teen challenger and they traded the spot back and forth before the youngster took full claim of it. The green flag remained on until there was ten laps to go when Dalton Sexton spun and turn four forcing another painful yellow. This time the makeup of the top four had Bender in the lead, Sexton in the second-place spot, Dennett in third, and Aguilera in fourth. The field took the green flag and got one lap in before Boos stopped in turn one after making contact with the back of Aguilera. However, seconds prior to that when the field completed the last lap, Sexton had inched by for the lead and would be at the head of the pack for the final restart of the race. Teammates or not, Bender was not going to let Sexton off the hook. For three straight laps, he threw big-time haymakers at his teammate on the first bend. He nearly took the lead each time, but Sexton was just a tad faster and maintained his advantage. On lap 25, Bender kept it on the top and Sexton began to pull away. Dennett kept up his pesky persistence when he tried to relegate Bender back to third but the "San Diegan" managed to hold him off. It looked like the race was over as Sexton had nearly a full second lead, but with two circuits left, tenacious Bender came calling again. He threw massive sliders at Sexton in turn two on laps 29 and 30, but each time the teen repelled the threats. Sexton raced under the last CLS checkered flag of the season just as he had done eight months earlier, with a rim-riding win. It was only his second CLS triumph of the year. Bender took second with Dennett glued to his tail in third. Aguilera and Bellingham, Washington's Alex Lewis placed fourth and fifth. "Everyone was around the bottom and I knew I wasn't going to get them by following," Sexton told the appreciative crowd. "Guess my balls were feeling a little swollen tonight because we were rippin' the top. Honestly, trying to earn myself a midget ride out here and prove I am a driver. I couldn't have done it without Seth (crew chief Seth Wilson), and everyone working on my cars, my dad, and my Nana. AJ, he's taught me so much about racing with him. I hate to take his sweep away, but man, that felt good. I am always trying to beat that guy." "I think we missed the set up a little bit," second-place finisher Bender told interviewer Drake York and the fans. "I wasn't expecting it to be this dry so I made some last-minute choices. I think they were a little off. Grant railed around me and I was like, 'dang I gotta get up there and start doing it.' I am glad Grant got it, and SGR is one and two and we get some more trophies to add." "Fifteen years ago I ran midgets here and I knew the bottom is good," third-place driver Dennett said afterward. "I just tried to be super smooth on the bottom and just kind of run my race. These guys are way better than me and I was just excited to be up front racing with them. We raced super clean and it was just awesome to be here and to run up front." There were two qualifiers earlier in the night to determine the starting lineup. Boos and main event winner Grant Sexton claimed those. Washington's Alex Lewis won the B main. Other CLS and Southern California drivers in the finale were Jeff Dyer (7th), Cal Smith (9th), Dalton Sexton (12th), and Brent Sexton 20th. Work is underway on the 29th CLS series schedule. Information will be released as soon as possible. The 2022 CLS banquet will take place at Frantone's Pizza & Spaghetti Villa in Cerritos on February 4th. Tickets for the banquet are $40.00. To order or for more information call (310) 367-9050 or email mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net ?subject=jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net. November 19 Hangtown 100 Results Hangtown 100 Night #3 25-Lap Main Event (with starting spots and distances back): 1. Grant Sexton, Lakeside, CA, 5th 2. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, 2nd … 1.385 3. Greg Dennett, Fremont, CA, 3rd, … 1.576 4. Harlee Aguilera, Orangevale, CA, 1st … 2.553 5. Alex Lewis, Bellingham, WA, 11th … 6. Hunter Kinney, Citrus Heights, CA, 21st … 2.966 7. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 20th … 5.264 8. Logan Seavey, Sutter, CA, 10th … 6.892 9. Cal Smith, Phelan, CA, 14th … 7.600 10. Steve Becker, Lakewood, CA, 12th … 8.182 11. Josef Ferolito, Modesto, CA, 16th … 9.232 12. Dalton Sexton, Lakeside. CA, 15th … 10.742 13. Jason Schapansky, Kamloops, BC, Canada, 18th … 12.313 14. Johnny Boos, Lakewood, CO, 6th … 12.787 15. Chris Crowder, Colorado Springs, CO, 9th … 1 Lap 16. Shane Hopkins, Placerville, CA, 13th … 20 Laps 17. Matt Land, Elk Grove, CA, 17th … 24 Laps 18. Shane Sexton, El Cajon, CA, 4th … 24 Laps 19. Dakota Albright, Waterford, CA, 7th … 28 Laps 20. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, 8th … 28 Laps 21. Danielle Clauson-Sevo, Placerville, CA, 19th … 28 Laps B Main (15 Laps): 1. Alex Lewis; 2. Steve Becker; 3. Shane Hopkins; 4. Cal Smith; 5. Dalton Saxton; 6. Josef Ferolito; 7. Matt Land; 8. Jason Schapansky; 9. Danielle Clauson-Sevo; 10. Jeff Dyer; 11. Mark Henry; 12. Hunter Kinney Qualifier 1 (12 Laps): 1. Johnny Boos; 2. Shane Sexton; 3. AJ Bender;4. Dakota Albright; 5. Chris Crowder; 6. Steve Becker; 7. Ken Coulsten Jr; 8. Hunter Kinney; 9. Matt land; 10. Dalton Sexton Qualifier 2 (12 Laps): 1. Grant Sexton; 2. Greg Dennett; 3. Harlee Aguilera; 4. Brent Sexton; 5. Logan Seavey; 6. Alex Lewis; 7. Jeff Dyer; 8. Shane Hopkins; 9. Cal Smith; 10. Mark Henry Final California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - 2184 2. Eric Greco - 2089 3. Cody Nigh - 1913 4. Bobby Michnowicz - 1886 4. Jeff Dyer - 1777 6. Connor Speir - 1548 7. Will Browne - 1523 8. Jon Robertson - 1246 9. Pat Kelley - 1162 10. Dominic Del Monte - 784 Final Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - CLS - 629 2. Eric Greco - CLS - 572 3. Bobby Michnowicz - CLS - 568 4. Will Browne - CLS - 526 5. Cody Nigh - CLS - 486 6. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 415 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 403 8. Connor Speir - CLS - 392 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 388 10. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 358 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 - Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged - Dave Gasper August 6 *Santa Maria Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 - Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 - David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS - Brent Sexton October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - AJ Bender Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - AJ Bender Nov. 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - Grant Sexton 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 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- CLS DRIVER AJ BENDER MAKES IT TWO WINS IN A ROW AT PLACERVILLE'S HANGTOWN 100
(Torrance, CA, November 22, 2022) In November 2021, San Diego's AJ Bender came to the "Hangtown 100" and finished second all three nights. Not wanting to face that frustration again this year, Bender scored a convincing win in night #2 of the prestigious lightning sprint car race at the Placerville Speedway last Friday. It was his second victory at the track in 24 hours, and his third on the banked red clay quarter mile in 2022. Overall, it was his fifth lightning sprint car win of the year. 316108167_10224947420026830_1319108853916825848_n.jpg AJ Bender with his crew chief Seth Wilson after their second win in 24 hours at Placerville. MMRACINGPHOTOS.COM Just like in 2021 when Bender was added to the Sexton Gatlin Racing roster for the end of the season, the team brought him back again to close out 2022. The 29-year-old's record with SGR in that time has been phenomenal. He has nine starts with the team. Of the nine, he has won four times. He has also finished runner-up three times, third once, and fifth one time. With him starting on the outside of the second row on Friday, anybody who doubted that he could possibly win had to be foolish. When the 19-car field took to the track for the 25-lapper, Ken Coulsten Jr of Bermuda Dunes was on the pole. Starting next to him was Colorado's Johnny Boos, who gave a very good account of himself finishing fourth the night before. Warner Springs teenager "Shugah" Shane Sexton, who competes against Bender in the USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Car Series, was on the inside of the second row with Bender just to his right. 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Grant Sexton, "Shugah" Shane's cousin, and Freemont's Greg Dennett were in row three. At the drop of the green flag Coulston, who was only making his fourth start of the year, drove his brilliant blue #32 into the lead. Boos was second and Bender was third. Bender, who won the 2021 Sprint car portion of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at the Ventura Raceway, wasted little time in getting to the front. In fact, he jetted by Coulston for the top spot with an inside pass coming off turn two on the second circuit. Not long after that, Coulston slowed dramatically and slid back in the pack. Lap two also saw the demise of Sutter's Logan Seavey. The winner of two of the three lightning sprint mains at the 2021 "Hangtown 100," went up in smoke and pulled his car to the infield. By the end of the fifth lap, Bender had established a comfortable lead. Boos was second, and Shane Sexton was third. 2021 BCRA champ Dakota Albright of Waterford had impressively raced all the way up to fourth after starting 11th. Things stayed the same until the ninth lap when Sexton advanced his position to second when he got by Boos. However, he had little time to relish his tenure in the runner-up spot as Albright blew by both of them in the next turn. By the time Albright took up residence in second place, Bender, in the Boczanowski/Sexton Fire Protection/BK Wings/Johnny Motorhead/Troy Dirt/Victory Graphix/Swift Powdercoat/Maxima Oil/Automated Interior/Scotty and Jimmy Keys/#22, had already built a 2 ½ second lead. Bender hit the lapped traffic on lap 10 but it failed to slow him down. Five laps later, he had advanced his advantage to 3.2 seconds. Late in the race, Bender met up with a gaggle of lappers and it did allow Albright to slightly close the gap. However, when the checkered flag came down it was Bender by a half straightaway. Albright wrapped up his impressive performance by placing second with Shane Sexton third, Dennett fourth, and Brent Sexton fifth. Albright's sterling display made him the race "Hard Charger." "Once I got in lapped traffic, I could hear cars everywhere so I was not sure where they (his closest pursuers) were at," he told Drake York and the crowd after the race. "I was really thinking it was going to be on the top, but it just kept working on the bottom. I just kind of stuck to my guns there. It's not the funnest going around the bottom for 25 laps, but it is fun talking to you at the end of the night. I will take it. Again like last night, I have to thank Phil and Wyatt (Boczanowski). This car is a rocket ship. They are trying to sell it so I am trying to make it look good. I have to thank Seth (crew chief Seth Wilson), Nita (Nita Gatlin from SGR), Brent (Brent Sexton from SGR), and all the SGR people for putting up with me. Seth is a one-man team overlooking four cars. So, he is earning his money. Thank you to my wife and daughter at home and to my family." "Anything was better than last night," happy second-place finisher Albright said after the race. "We went 11th to second tonight. Hugged it around the bottom and this baby was hooked up. It was great. The track was a lot better tonight, Scott did an awesome job." "I did not think it was going to be this dry," third-place finisher Shane Sexton said afterward. "We probably could have went a little bit tighter. Hats off to my guys, Brian Fonseca, and my dad. They work their tails off throughout the night. We have had some success all around the country. We normally do not do the local stuff for Brian, but he called and asked if I wanted to drive it and I could not say no. Third place on the podium is not too bad." Other CLS and Southern California drivers in the main were Grant Sexton (6th), Cal Smith (9th), Dalton Sexton (10th), Coulston (14th), Mark Henry (15th) and Jeff Dyer (17th). Earlier in the night, Bender recorded the fastest lap in qualifying at 13.341. Dennett was second fastest at 13.428 and Rosamond's Henry was third quick at 13.479. Seavey captured the first heat race over the son and father combo of Grant and Brent Sexton. Coulston claimed the victory in heat two ahead of Dennett and Harlee Aguilera of Orangevale. Albright got to the checkers first in the final heat when he bested Boos and Dyer. The 2022 CLS banquet will take place at Frantone's Pizza & Spaghetti Villa in Cerritos on February 4th. Tickets for the banquet are $40.00. To order or for more information call (310) 367-9050 or email mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net ?subject=jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net. November 18 Hangtown 100 Results Qualifying: 1. AJ Bender, 13.341; 2. Greg Dennett, 13.428; 3. Mark Henry, 13.479; 4. Grant Sexton, 13.510; 5. Shane Sexton, 13.644; 6. Alex Lewis, 13.687; 7. Matt Land, 13.709; 8. Harlee Aguilera, 13.757; 9. Johnny Boos, 13.775; 10. Chris Crowder, 13.791; 11. Ken Coulston Jr., 13.862; 12. Cal Smith, 13.879; 13. Steve Becker, 13.880; 14. Dalton Sexton, 13.884; 15. Dakota Albright, 13.896; 16 Logan Seavey, 13.997; 17 Josef Ferolito, 14.214; 18. Jeff Dyer, 14.297; 19. Brent Sexton, 14.321; 20. Hunter Kinney, 14.921; 21. Shane Hopkins, 14.924; 22. Jason Schapansky, 15.010; 23. Danielle Clauson-Servo, 16.783 Heat Race #1 (9 Laps): 1. Seavey; 2. G. Sexton; 3. B. Sexton; 4. Bender; 5. Crowder; 6. Schapansky; 7. Becker; 8. Land Heat Race #2 (9 Laps): 1. Coulston Jr; 2. Dennett; 3. Aguilera; 4. S. Sexton; 5. D. Sexton; 6. Ferolito; 7. Clauson- Servo; 8. Kinney Heat Race #3 (9 Laps): 1. Albright; 2. Boos; 3. Dyer; 4. Smith; 5. Lewis; 6. Hopkins; 7. Henry Hangtown 100 Night #2 25-Lap Main Event (with starting spots and distances back): 1. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, (4th) 2. Dakota Albright, Waterford, CA, (11th) … 2.592 3. Shane Sexton, El Cajon, CA, (3rd) … 4.755 4. Greg Dennett, Fremont, CA, (6th) … 5.822 5. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (10th) … 7.408 6. Grant Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (5th) … 8.429 7. Chris Crowder, Colorado, CO, (13th) … 11.354 8. Johnny Boos, Lakewood, CA, (2nd) … 12.704 9. Cal Smith, Phelan, CA, … (15th) 1 Lap 10. Dalton Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (16th) …1 Lap 11. Harlee Aguilera, Orangevale, CA, (7th) … 1 Lap 12. Steve Becker. Lakewood, CO, (18th) … 1 Lap 13. Shane Hopkins, Placerville, CA, (17th) … 1 Lap 14. Ken Coulston, Bermuda Dunes, CA, (1st) … Lap 15. Mark Henry, Rosamond, CA, … (9th) 1 Lap 16. Jason Schapansky, Kamloops, BC, Canada (19th) … 2 Laps 17. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (14th) … 4 Laps 18. Alex Lewis, Bellingham, WA (8th) … 21 Laps 19. Logan Seavey, Sutter, CA, … (12th) 23 Laps DNS Matt Land, Elk Grove, CA DNS Josef Ferolito. Modesto, CA DNS Hunter Kinney, Citrus Heights, CA DNS Danielle Clauson-Sevo, Placerville, CA Final California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - 2184 2. Eric Greco - 2089 3. Cody Nigh - 1913 4. Bobby Michnowicz - 1886 4. Jeff Dyer - 1777 6. Connor Speir - 1548 7. Will Browne - 1523 8. Jon Robertson - 1246 9. Pat Kelley - 1162 10. Dominic Del Monte - 784 Final Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - CLS - 629 2. Eric Greco - CLS - 572 3. Bobby Michnowicz - CLS - 568 4. Will Browne - CLS - 526 5. Cody Nigh - CLS - 486 6. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 415 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 403 8. Connor Speir - CLS - 392 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 388 10. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 358 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 - Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged - Dave Gasper August 6 Santa Maria Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 - Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 - David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS - Brent Sexton October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #5 - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - AJ Bender Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - AJ Bender Nov. 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - 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 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE PLACES SECOND IN FIRST NIGHT OF TRIBUTE TO BILLY SHUMAN - KNOCKED OUT OF THE FINALE
(El Cajon, CA, November 18, 2022) One of California's brightest young racing stars, Brayden Chiaramonte, drove to a second-place finish on the first night of the Tribute To Billy Shuman at Arizona's Adobe Mountain Speedway. Twenty-four hours later at the finale, Chiaramonte was headed for the front of the pack when he got crashed out of the race. For the Tribute race, Chiaramonte was making his first appearance at the picturesque track located near the Adobe Dam in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale. His first night of competition saw him turn in the 12th fastest time of the 27 cars on hand in hot laps. In his heat race, he started inside row two in the third position and quickly made his way to the lead and the eventual win. For the main, the talented driver began on the outside of the front row in second and he brought the family owned #73B home in the same spot that he started in. The 15-year-old racer returned for night two and was greeted by a swelled field of 45 cars. That nearly doubled the amount that was there 24 hours earlier. In his heat race, he started seventh and moved up five spots to place second. That result, combined with his performance from the previous evening, placed him on the top of the point list going into the main event. The race had a redraw for the finale and the friendly driver pulled an eight. That meant he would start outside the fourth row of the 50-lapper. As usual, the young driver was steaming his way toward the front of the pack. He was up to fifth and was making his move for fourth when he was spun out. That meant he had to restart at the back of the talent-laden field. Once the green flag came back out, Chiaramonte quickly began to weave his way forward. He found himself all the way back up to 10th and attempted to split two cars going into turn three. However, he got clobbered on the left front. The contact bent the front axle and broke the tie rod. That put him out of the main event and left him with a very frustrating 17th-place finish. Chiaramonte is one of the early entries for the 38th Annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout inside the massive SagNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The race will take place from December 26th through the 31st. At the 37th running of the prestigious race, the then 14-year-old Chiaramonte burst into the spotlight as a rookie at the event. More than 400 cars showed up to compete with Chiaramonte in the Stock Non-Wing class. He made it all the way to the final on New Year's Day and finished ninth overall. This year, Chiaramonte will be very busy competing in four classes! The Winged Outlaw, Non-Wing Outlaw, Stock Non-Wing, and Winged A-Class. As the season is winding down, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for another busy year in 2023. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and affable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. A couple of months ago, Chiaramonte was a guest on the Racer Radio Show. You can hear a replay of the show (Chiaramonte comes on at around 24 minutes) at the following link http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/radio22/RACERRADIO220918.mp3. Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2022 racing season possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data. Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q. May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 8th C Main September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 22nd B Main September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 14th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 16th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 16th B Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 9th A Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main November 11 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 2nd A Main November 12 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 17th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- CLS DRIVER AJ BENDER SCORES WIN IN LIGHTNING SPRINT HANGTOWN 100 OPENER
(Torrance, CA, November 18, 2022) One year ago this week, AJ Bender journeyed to the Placerville Speedway to take part in the lightning sprint portion of the three-night Hangtown 100. The San Diego, California-based star proceeded to finish second in all three main events at the open-wheel classic. Last night he kicked off this year's Hangtown with a win in the 25-lap main event. 316132999_10224944726199486_3447485580907313279_n.jpg AJ Bender takes the checkered flag at the Hangtown 100 in Placerville on Thursday. MMRACINGPHOTOS.COM To say Bender's win was anything but hard-fought would be a massive understatement. While he crossed the line a half straightaway ahead of teammate Grant Sexton when the checkered waved, he had to fight for every inch in the first 20-laps. Bender, in the Sexton Gatlin Racing #22, started on the outside of the second row in the main. Grant Sexton was on the pole with Lakeside, Colorado's Johnny Boos alongside. 2022 BCRA champion Matt Land of Elk Grove started inside of Bender in row two. The BCRA duo of Harlee Aguilera of Orangevale and Citrus Heights racer Hunter Kinney was in row three. Eighteen-year-old Sexton was the first driver to hit turn one on the famous red clay quarter mile at the outset of the main. Boos was second with Land and Bender third and fourth. The top three remained the same through lap four when a yellow flag came out after 2021 BCRA champion Dakota Albright of Waterford, blew a left rear tire. After racing resumed, things got interesting in a hurry. Boos, who had been working the outside in his sleek looking #24, slid off the top of turn two on the restart. Simultaneously, Kinney clipped the inside berm and the rear end of his car caught some airtime before coming back to earth. Both drivers continued, but Boos dropped back to fourth while Kinney somehow hung on to fifth. Boos misadventure allowed Bender to move into second and Land to take over third. If anyone thought Boos was out of contention for the night, they were sadly misinformed. Before the field could get two more laps recorded, Ken Coulston slid to a stop forcing the second yellow flag in the first five laps. Soon after the restart, the Bermuda Dunes racer who drives a car that looks like Sammy Swindell's Channel Lock car from many years ago, got upside down in between one and two necessitating a red flag. Fortunately, the driver was unhurt but he was done for the night. On the restart before the red flag, Bender, 29, had relieved Sexton of the lead and Boos had moved back to third when he got past Land. Boos quickly got by Sexton for second on the following restart and set his sights on the race leader. Bender, who is a regular in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series and who was this year's USAC Western Midget Series "Rookie of the Year," maintained the point until a sweet move from Boos on lap nine relegated him to second. Going into three in second place, Boos quickly transitioned from the top to the bottom in turn three and shot past Bender. After taking the lead, Boos kept it on the wide side, but he had Bender, snapping at his heels on the low line. In turn one on lap 11, Boos touched the cushion, and it sucked him in and slowed him down. By the time he recovered, the lead changed hands for the third time in the race and Bender was back in front. In addition, Sexton and Kinney went by as well for second and third. Suddenly, the race that was having such a hard time getting going was turning into a barn burner. Bender, who scored California Lightning Sprint Car Series wins at the Bakersfield Speedway in April and May as well as the BCRA opener at Placerville at the end of March, was putting laps together and hitting his marks. That did not seem to matter to his teenage teammate. Sexton chased the leader down and tried to go by on the inside on the 17th circuit. Bender fended off the advances but Sexton remained close behind. It looked like it was going to be a fight to the finish, between Sexton, the 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Series champion who has a flair for late race dramatics, and Bender. However, just as Boos did two times earlier in the race, the teen went over the cushion on lap 21. By the time he got settled back into the flow, he was still in second but Bender, in the Boczanowski/Sexton Fire Protection/BK Wings/Johnny Motorhead/Troy Dirt/Victory Graphix/Swift Powdercoat/Maxima Oil/Automated Interior/Scotty and Jimmy Keys/#21, was long gone. When the checkers came out, Bender was a half straight away in front of second place Sexton. Kinney, Boos, and Land rounded out the top five. "I totally forgot about last year, so thanks for reminding me," Bender laughed when Drake York asked him about his feelings after finally winning following three runner-up finishes in 2021. "It is cool. I am finally glad to get one because running second three times sucked. The car is a little off and we are trying to figure it out. It is the first time I am in it. I have to give a big shout-out to Phil and Wyatt (Boczanowski). Wyatt drives it and Phil owns the car. They let the SGR team bring it up here so I could drive it. We were doing homework on it trying to figure it out. We still have some stuff to work on. This one pays less. I want to win the one on Saturday. I have to thank Phil and Wyatt again, the whole SGR team, and my wife and daughter at home." Other CLS and Southern California drivers in the main were "Shugah" Shane Sexton (6th), Jeff Dyer (9th), Cal Smith (11th), Brent Sexton (12th), Mark Henry (13th), Dalton Sexton (15th), and Coulston (18th). Preliminary action before the main event saw Grant Sexton out-qualify the 26-car field with a time of 14.455. Orangevale's Harlee Aguilera was second fastest at 14.531 and Land was third on the speed charts at 14.533. USAC National star Logan Seavey of Sutter, Kinney, and Boos captured the heat races and CLS regular Jeff Dyer of Yucca Valley won the B main. The action continues at the Hangtown 100 tonight, and Saturday. Gates will open each day at 3:00 p.m. with racing at 6:00. Advance tickets for Placerville are available at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. Fans .0can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. The 2022 CLS banquet will take place at Frantone's Pizza & Spaghetti Villa in Cerritos on February 4th. Tickets for the banquet are $40.00. To order or for more information call (310) 367-9050 or email mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net ?subject=jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net. November 17 Hangtown 100 Results BR Motorsports Qualifying: 1. Grant Sexton, 14.455; 2. Harlee Aguilera, 14.531; 3. Matt Land, 14.533; 4. Mark Henry, 14.698; 5. Shane Sexton, 14.743; 6. AJ Bender, 14.749; 7. Johnny Boos, 15.188; 8. Ken Coulston, 15.133; 9. Logan Seavey, 15.258; 10. Hunter Kinney, 14.359; 11. Dakota Albright, 15.738; 12. Shane Hopkins, 15.804; 13. Dalton Sexton, 15.813; 14. Tyler Gerdes, 15.949; 15. Scott Kinney, 16.179; 16. Steve Becker, 16.187; 17. Chris Crowder, 16.262; 18. Jason Schapansky, 16.555; 19. Brent Sexton, 16.669; 20. Cal Smith, 16.670; 21. Jeff Dyer, 16.837; 22. Greg Dennett, 16.895; 23. Josef Ferolito, 17.054; 24. Alex Lewis, 17.148; 25 Jimmy Riddle, 17.814; 26. Danielle Clauson-Servo 18.016 Heat Race #1 (9 Laps): 1. Seavey; 2. G. Sexton; 3. Lewis; 4. Dennett; 5. B. Sexton; 6. Aguilera; 7. S. Sexton; 8. Clauson-Servo; 9. Gerdes Heat Race #2 (9 Laps): 1. H. Kinney; 2. S. Kinney; 3. Land; 4. Albright; 5. Crowder; 6. Hopkins; 7. Smith; 8. D. Sexton; 9. Riddell Heat Race #3 (9 Laps): 1. Boos; 2. Becker; 3. Dyer; 4. Colston; 5. Henry; 6. Schapansky; 7. Becker; 8. Ferolito B Main (12 Laps - Top 4 Transfer): 1. Dyer; 2. Crowder; 3. Ferolito; 4. Smith; 5. Hopkins; 6. Becker; 7. Schapansky 8. Clauson-Servo Hangtown 100 Night #1 25-Lap Main Event (with starting spots and distances back): 1. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, (4th) 2. Grant Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (1st) ... 1.955 3. Hunter Kinney, Citrus Heights, CA, (6th) ... 4.134 4. Johnny Boos, Lakewood, CO, (2nd) ... 4.832 5. Matt Land, Elk Grove, CA, (3rd) ... 5.052 6. Shane Sexton, El Cajon, CA, (10th) ... 5.973 7. Alex Lewis, Bellingham, WA, (15th) ... 6.454 8. Greg Dennett, Fremont, CA, (13th) ... 7.262 9. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, (17th) ... 7.761 10. Chris Crowder, Colorado, CO, (18th) ... 11.175 11. Cal Smith, Phelan, CA, (20th) ... 11.885 12. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (16th) ... 1 Lap 13. Mark Henry, Rosamond, CA, (7th) ... 1 Lap 14. Harlee Aguilera, Orangevale, CA, (5th) ... 1 Lap 15. Dalton Sexton, Lakeside, CA, (9th) ... 1 Lap 16. Logan Seavey, Sutter, CA, (11th) ... 8 Laps 17. Josef Ferolito, Modesto, CA, (19th) ... 10 Laps 18. Ken Coulston, Bermuda Dunes, CA, (12th) ... 19 Laps 19. Dakota Albright, Waterford, CA, (8th) ... 22 Laps 20. Scott Kinney, Citrus Heights, CA, (14th) ... 22 Laps Final California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - 2184 2. Eric Greco - 2089 3. Cody Nigh - 1913 4. Bobby Michnowicz - 1886 4. Jeff Dyer - 1777 6. Connor Speir - 1548 7. Will Browne - 1523 8. Jon Robertson - 1246 9. Pat Kelley - 1162 10. Dominic Del Monte - 784 Final Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - CLS - 629 2. Eric Greco - CLS - 572 3. Bobby Michnowicz - CLS - 568 4. Will Browne - CLS - 526 5. Cody Nigh - CLS - 486 6. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 415 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 403 8. Connor Speir - CLS - 392 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 388 10. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 358 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 - Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged - Dave Gasper August 6 *Santa Maria Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 - Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 - David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS - Brent Sexton October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points - AJ Bender Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 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 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- "SHUGAH" SHANE SEXTON'S RACING SEASON ENDS THIS WEEK AT THE PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY
(Warner Springs, CA, November 16, 2022) Young Warner Springs, California racer "Shugah" Shane Sexton will conclude his 2022 racing season this Thursday through Saturday, November 17, 18, and 19, in the annual Hangtown 100 on the red clay of the Placerville Speedway. The friendly driver will be in Brian Fonseca's wingless lightning sprint car for the three-night event. Thus far in 2022, 18-year-old Sexton has driven Fonseca's owned Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians/Foothill Tractor & Heavy Equipment/KB Rod Benders/MJK Auto Sales #3F nine times at four different tracks. First off came the two-day POWRi Lightening Sprint Nationals at the Central Missouri Speedway in May. The highlight of that trip was a second-place finish on opening night. In July, they teamed up and went to the prestigious Clay Cup at Washington's Deming Speedway and took the victory on the second night. They attended the re-opening of the Santa Maria Speedway in early August and the friendly driver placed third in the main event. The last time they joined forces was five weeks ago at the Cal Cup at Central California's Lemoore Raceway. That weekend, Sexton again posted the win on the second of three nights of racing. All told in the nine starts, Sexton has only finished out of the top five two times. Each of those two came when he was clobbered by another car and knocked out of contention. 313102816_10166816417445201_7101363667430222325_n.jpg Shane Sexton (right) after his October win at Lemoore Raceway. Maxwell Patrick photo. Overall, this weekend's races will be #18, 19, and 20 for Sexton this year. When all the races have been logged into his ledger after Saturday, it will show that he competed in lightning sprints 12 times. Also, he will have raced his 410 USAC/CRA car eight times in 2022. Look for his schedule to increase significantly in 2023 as he plans to have several more dates in the 410 GAS Chassis house car throughout the year. To see "Shugah: Shane in action at Placerville, you can purchase advance tickets at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each day with racing at 6:00. Fans can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. While Sexton's 2022 season comes to an end this weekend, the young driver and his team are about to get very busy going over cars, ordering parts, and looking for marketing partners for the 2023 season. If you wish to become involved with the up-and-coming team next year, please contact Shane Sexton via e-mail mailto::Shanesexton7@gmail.com or by phone at (619) 362-5921. Sexton would like to extend a thank you to Brian Fonseca and Samantha Sproull for the opportunity to wheel their lightning sprint and he would like to thank their team sponsors for making it possible. They are the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Foothill Tractor & Heavy Equipment, KB Rod Benders, and MJK Auto Sales. Sexton and the #74 team wish to extend their thanks to the following 2022 racing season partners. GAS Chassis, Key Brothers Racing, Nita Gatlin, Hugh Jorgan, Mike Pridgeon Racing Engines, AG Sandcars, Powder 1, Ron's Tire and Brake, and Savage Racing. Shane Sexton's 2022 Results January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main January 29 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main March 26 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main April 22 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main April 29 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 22nd A Main May 28 Central Missouri Speedway POWRi Lightning Sprint 2nd A Main May 29 Central Missouri Speedway POWRi Lightning Sprint 14th A Main July 14 Deming Speedway Clay Cup Lightning Sprint 5th A Main July 15 Deming Speedway Clay Cup Lightning Sprint 1st A Main July 16 Deming Speedway Clay Cup Lightning Sprint 21st A Main August 6 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main October 13 Lemoore Raceway California Cup 5th A Main October 14 Lemoore Raceway California Cup 1st A Main October 15 Lemoore Raceway California Cup 5th A Main November 17 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 November 18 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 November 19 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 This release was produced by Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 or mailto:sdaloisiosprts@gmail.com
- MICHNOWICZ SCORES CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES WIN ON HIS BIRTHDAY - GASPER WINS TWO CROWNS
(Torrance, CA, November 17, 2022) California Lightning Sprint Car Series legend Bobby Michnowicz celebrated his 59th birthday with a come-from-behind victory in the "6th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship" at Scott Schweitzer's Bakersfield Speedway. The victory was Michnowicz's second in a row and fifth of the season. Joining the veteran in victory circle after his triumph in the 25-lap race was David Gasper, who sewed up both the season CLS championship and the title in the "Civil War Series," and new BCRA champion Matt Land. 315622402_2348165512026550_925338686143423907_n.jpg Bobby Michnowicz won the Western States Lightning Sprint Car championship for the sixth time in three years. Windy Michnowicz photo. Between the CLS and the Bay Cities Racing Association, 23 cars turned out for the final points-paying races in each club's respective season, and the last round of the "Civil War Series". At last year's Western States Championship, San Diego's AJ Bender turned in the fastest qualifying time of the cars on hand and he later went on to win the main event. Tuesday's race saw Bender, in Mike Schweitzer's number 41, get off to the same start when he turned in the quickest qualifying time of the night with a 13.875 in BR Motorsports Time Trials. Eric Greco of Palmdale, who was hoping to chase down Gasper, the defending champion in both the CLS and "Civil War," was second quickest at 13.927. Seventeen-year-old Gasper logged in the third fastest lap at 14.159. Michnowicz, who lives in Oak Hills, had the 7th-best lap in qualifying at 14.366. That meant if all six of the cars who qualified faster than him finished amongst the first four spots in their heat races, the best the five-time series champion could start in the main event would be 7th. Fortunately for him, things did not turn out that way. Michnowicz, who started in the second row in Extreme Muffler heat #1, took the lead in the second half of the race, and ran off for a convincing victory. Bakersfield youngster Leland Day placed second with 2022 BCRA champion Matt Land of Elk Grove finishing third. More important than the win for Michnowicz was the fact that Bender finished seventh and out of the invert spots. That ensured Michnowicz of at least starting on the pole of the dash. The dash would set the first three rows for the main. For the moment, Michnowicz was on the pole, but his exact starting spot in the dash would be determined by the final two heat races. The second eight-lap heat race, which was sponsored by Yoshimura R&D, went to San Diego State University graduate Cody Nye of Camarillo. BCRA's Harlee Aguilera of Orangevale placed second. Bermuda Dunes driver Ken Coulston, who was only making his second CLS start of the year and his first since April 16th, place third with Greco fourth. Glendora 18-year-old Will Browne, who was the fifth fast qualifier, placed sixth in the heat and that moved Michnowicz to the outside of the front row of the dash. That is exactly where he wanted to be. In the Saldana Race Products Colleen's Choice third heat race, 2021 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Champion Grant Sexton smoked the field and won the race by nearly a half lap. However, coming out of turn 4 the final time, the teen star who won the CWS opener at Bakersfield on March 25th, slowed dramatically and coasted across the line for the win over "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance and Colorado Rapids, Colorado racer Chris Crowder. Unfortunately, that heat win was Sexton's one and only hurrah of the night as he blew the engine. For the six-lap dash, Coulston was on the pole and Michnowicz was on the outside. Crowder and Lakewood's Aiden Lange made up the second row and Gasper and Greco were in row three. In reality, the race was over as soon as it started as Michnowicz leaped into the lead and never looked back. Much to the horror of the competition, that meant he was starting on the pole for the main event. Lange, who was only contesting his third race of the year, was on the outside of the front row. Coulston was on the inside of row two with Greco alongside. Gasper and Crowder started in row three. As was expected as soon as the green light sent the field on its way, Michnowicz raced into the lead. What was not expected was an almost immediate red flag when Robertson dumped his #42 in turn two. The driver emerged from the crash uninjured, but his car was too damaged to carry on. To sew up his second straight CLS championship, all Gasper had to do was beat one driver in the main event. When Robertson flipped on the first circuit, that clinched the title for Gasper. Michnowicz flew back into the lead on the restart over Lange, Crowder, and Greco. The veteran driver had increased his advantage to over five car lengths when a yellow flag flew on lap three as defending race winner Bender's car went up in a massive plume of white smoke. He stopped by the start-finish line where a small fire broke out. He was done for the night, but if there was any ease of mind to the deal, the crew was happy to see that he did "not window the case" and figured it was a cracked piston or broken ring. Action resumed with Michnowicz, Lange, Crowder, and Greco making up the top five. Michnowicz quickly put some distance between himself and the competition. Land, who was running in the top 10, left the action when he threw a chain on the fifth circuit. While Michnowicz was advancing his lead, Crowder slipped into second by getting past Lange on the 10th circuit. One lap later, Michnowicz hit the lap traffic but he only passed one car before the yellow waved again on the 12th go around. This time it came as Coulston, who had been in sixth, rolled to a stop in turn four. That stop wiped out the race-long leader's advantage, and things were about to get very exciting. The race restarted with 14 laps remaining. Michnowicz was at the point with Crowder, Lang, Greco, and Gasper in tow. A funny thing happened this time, though. Crowder was not letting Michnowicz get away. He stayed close to the race-long leader and on lap 20, he went to the outside and took the top spot away as they exited turn two. Michnowicz dove to the bottom and pulled even with Crowder going into three, but the new leader had a better drive off four and stayed in the top spot. It went like that for three straight laps before Michnowicz, who stayed dedicated to the bottom, stole the lead back coming off turn four with just two laps to go. Crowder had a look at the outside coming off two on lap 24, but Michnowicz thwarted the effort. From there on, he kept the T Shirts By Timeless/Fabozzi Metalworks/Pflum & Wagner/Super Shox/Outlaw Wings/Kaiser Wheels/Fast Time Studios/Bondio Fabrication #21K in the front and won by two car lengths. It was Michnowicz's fifth win of 2022. It was also his third in the six-year history of the "Western States Lightning Sprints Championship." Crowder held on for second with Lange, who had a great run, third. Greco and Gasper, who got stuck behind a lapped car on the final restart, finished fourth and fifth respectively. Yucca Valley's Seth Dyer was the "Speed Mart/Advanced Racing Suspension/Hepfner Racing Hard Charger." All of the extra lap money ended up being split by three drivers. Michnowicz pocketed an extra $595.00. Crowder received an extra $360.00 and Lange collected $295.00. "That was a good race. I knew if I could stick with it, I could probably get back by him. Chris did a good job and he is a good dude. I really like him, but I did not want him to win tonight," Michnowicz laughed after the race. "I really like this place. I started racing here in about 1980 or 81 in TQs. I ran sprint, wing sprint cars, focus midgets, midgets, and lightning sprint cars here. It has been very good to me and it is one of my favorite tracks to race at." "It is a fun place and I love coming here," Crowder said afterward. "I have been here three times and finished second in all three. I thought tonight was the night. Apparently not. Bobby is a great friend of mine; I really like him. I love racing with him." "Bring home the hardware, that is what it is all about," Gasper, the now two-time CLS and Civil War Series champ said. "Also making my sponsors proud and putting on a show for the fans. I could not have been out here without my mom and dad. Without them, none of this would have been possible. Kittle Motorsports, Valley Precision Products, Rattlesnake Ridge, Certified Construction, B2 Designs, Carol Plumbing, Capital Label Company, Martin Roofing. If I forgot anyone, I am so sorry. My guys Rowdy, Dwayne, and Harrison, they stuck behind me the whole way through." 315827492_560659319200041_2299474607454082486_n (1).jpg David Gasper win the CLS and Civil War Series titles for the second year in a row. Gasper Racing photo. "First I have to thank John Taylor," newly crowned BCRA champion Land told the appreciative crowd after the race. "He had this car hooked up all year long. It was because of his expertise and his help that we are even able to be here. We were consistent and able to keep it on four wheels throughout the season. Tonight may have not been the showing of that. The car was good and we had it hooked up. John had the car dialed in. Unfortunately, we had a little problem and lost our chain. That ended our night. We were definitely going to try and go hunt for the win tonight." When the final checker ended the race, Gasper had a 95-point advantage over second-place Greco. Nigh ended up third. Michnowicz, whose five wins on the year were only second to Gasper's seven, ended up fourth with Jeff Dyer fifth. Speir sewed up the "Rookie of the Year" award when he ended up sixth in the standings, 25-points ahead of fellow rookie Browne. Thursday's race also saw Gasper win his second straight Civil War Series title. Like the regular season standings, Greco was second, 57-points behind the champion. The CLS swept the top five positions in the five-race series with Michnowicz third, Browne fourth and Nigh fifth. BCRA drivers took four of the five spots between sixth and 10th. While the point season is done, three non-point races remain on the schedule at the Hangtown 100 at the Placerville Speedway this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Gates will open each day at 3:00 p.m. with racing at 6:00. Advance tickets for Placerville are available at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. Fans can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. In addition to its regular sponsors, the CLS would like to thank the following for donating extra lap and contingency money to the Bakersfield purse. Dyer Motorsports, Dave Gasper, Kittle Motorsports, Mike Schweitzer, CLS & BCRA officials, Susie & Don Nelson, P.J. Benedetti, Area 49, Savage Racing, T Shirts By Timeless, Stock Parts Racing and Dick Hindman. The 2022 CLS banquet will take place at Frantone's Pizza & Spaghetti Villa in Cerritos on February 4th. Tickets for the banquet are $40.00. To order or for more information call (310) 367-9050 or email mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net ?subject=jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net. Western States Lightning Sprints Contingency Awards Extreme Muffler Heat Race #1 winner Extreme Muffler $50 product certificate Bobby Michnowicz Yoshimura R&D Heat Race #2 winner CSI Shocks $50 product certificate Cody Nigh Saldana "Colleen's choice" Saldana Racing Products $50 product certificate Grant Sexton Main Event Award Winner Eibach $100 product certificate Bobby Michnowicz 2nd place Vahlco Wheels $50 product certificate Chris Crowder 3rd place Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 product certificate Aiden Lange 5th place Smith Titanium $50 product certificate David Gasper Quick time BR Motorsports - $25 product certificate AJ Bender Hard charger Speed Mart $25 product certificate - Advanced Racing Suspension $50 product certificate - Hepfner Racing Products $25 product certificate Seth Dyer 1st car not on lead lap Rebel Gears 30% off coupon Harlee Aguilara Hard Luck Award Speed Mart $25 product certificate Jon Robertson November 15 Western States Lightning Sprints Championship Results BR Motorsports Qualifying: 1. A.J. Bender, 13.875; 2. Eric Greco, 13.927; 3. David Gasper, 14.159; 4. Aiden Lange, 14.278; 5. Will Browne, 14.287; 6. Chris Crowder, 14.355; 7. Bobby Michnowicz, 14.366; 8. Connor Speir, 14.382; 9. Thomas Meseraull, 14.445; 10. Scott Kinney, 14.468; 11. Ken Coulston, 14.553; 12. Grant Sexton, 14.569; 13 Leland Day, 14.620; 14 Harlee Aguilera, 14.648; 15. Jacob Magallanes, 14.738; 16.Matt Land, 24.820; 17. Cody Nigh, 14.845; 18. Jon Robertson, 15.078; 19. Greg Dennett, 15.126; 20. Jeff Dyer, 15.374; 21. Pat Kelley, 15.645; 22. Brent Sexton, 15.749; 23. Seth Dyer, 16.244 Extreme Muffler Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Michnowicz; 2. Day; 3. Land; 4. Lange; 5. Kinney; 6. Brent Sexton; 7. Bender Yoshimura R&D Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. Nigh; 2. Aguilera; 3. Coulston; 4. Greco; 5. Jeff Dyer; 6. Browne; 7. Speir; 8. Seth Dyer Saldana Race Products Colleen's Choice Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. Grant Sexton; 2. Robertson; 3. Crowder; 4. Gasper; 5. Meseraull; 6. Kelley Six Lap Dash: 1. Michnowicz; 2. Lange; 3. Coulston; 4. Greco; 5. Gasper; 6. Crowder Western States Lightning Sprints Championship Main Event (with starting spots and distances back): 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA (1st) 2. Chris Crowder, Colorado Springs CO, (6th) ... 0.310 3. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA (2nd) 2.972 4. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA (4th) ... 3.615 5. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA (5th) ... 6.651 6. Will Browne, Glendora, CA (12th) ... 8.270 7. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA (7th) ... 9.517 8. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA (15th) ... 10.957 9. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA (19th) ... 14.257 10. Harlee Aguilera, Orangevale, CA (8th) ... 1 Lap 11. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (16th) ... 1 Lap 12. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA (9th) ... 2 Laps 13. Scotty Kinney, Citrus Heights, CA (17th) ... 13 Laps 14. Ken Coulston, Bermuda Dunes, CA (3rd) ... 14 Laps 15. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (14th) ... 15 Laps 16. Matt Land, Elk Grove, CA (11th) ... 20 Laps 17. A.J. Bender, San Diego, CA (13th) ... 23 Laps 18. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA (18th) ... 23 Laos 19. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA (10th) .... 25 Laps DNS Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA DNS Grant Sexton, Lakeside, CA DNS Greg Dennett, Livermore, CA DNS Jacob Magallanes, Pasadena, CA California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - 2184 2. Eric Greco - 2089 3. Cody Nigh - 1913 4. Bobby Michnowicz - 1886 4. Jeff Dyer - 1777 6. Connor Speir - 1548 7. Will Browne - 1523 8. Jon Robertson - 1246 9. Pat Kelley - 1162 10. Dominic Del Monte - 784 Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - CLS - 629 2. Eric Greco - CLS - 572 3. Bobby Michnowicz - CLS - 568 4. Will Browne - CLS - 526 5. Cody Nigh - CLS - 486 6. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 415 7. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 403 8. Connor Speir - CLS - 392 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 388 10. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 358 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 - Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged - Dave Gasper August 6 *Santa Maria Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 - Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 - David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS - Brent Sexton October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 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 2022 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING CLOSES THE 2022 LIGHTNING SPRINT SEASON WITH FOUR RACES IN FIVE DAYS THIS WEEK
(Lakeside, CA, November 14, 2022) Lakeside, California-based Sexton Gatlin Racing will close the lightning sprint car portion of its 2022 season this week when it journeys to Central and Northern California to compete at the Bakersfield and the Placerville Speedways. All told, the four-driver effort will race four times in the space of five days. The team's second stop at the Bakersfield Speedway this year for the "6th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship" will be on Tuesday, November 15th. Driving SGR cars that night will be newly crowned Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Brent Sexton, and his son Grant. SGR kicked off the 2022 Bakersfield Speedway season on May 25th when the California Lightning Sprint Car Series appeared worldwide on the internet with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. In that one, then-17-year-old Grant thrilled the crowd with a wild last-lap rim ride that saw him take the victory leading only the last six feet in a thrilling photo finish. Brent ended up eighth. Dalton Sexton, Brent's 19-year-old son, suffered electrical problems in that race and dropped out early. He finished 17th. Tuesday's race will be the team's first appearance on the Kern County oval since March. After Tuesday's show, the drivers will use Wednesday as a travel day to Northern California's Placerville Speedway for three nights of racing in the "Hangtown 100." Dalton will join his dad and brother at Placerville as will San Diego's A.J. Bender who will reunite SGR after a successful run with them last November. Last year at Bakersfield's "5th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship," Bender took the win driving for SGR. Grant came home sixth and Brent finished 22nd after leaving the race early with mechanical issues. Last year at the three nights of Hangtown, Bender finished second all three nights. Grant recorded finishes of 4th, 16th, and 18th. Brent placed 9th, 12th, and 18th. Dalton placed 12th in the B main at the opener and 19th on the second night after a crash in the A-main. He did not start on Saturday. The Tuesday night show at Bakersfield will be a winged race. All three nights at Placerville will be wingless. The car Bender is driving at Placerville is for sale. It is powered by a 2020 Suzuki 1000. Interested parties can contact Brent Sexton at the number at the top of this release for details. Tuesday's show at Bakersfield will also include the "November Classic" for the USAC National Midgets. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. Fans can save $5.00 per ticket by ordering in advance at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1113. The historic track is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext. in Bakersfield. The track website is https://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone is (661) 393-3373. To see SGR close its 2022 lightning season at Placerville, you can purchase advance tickets at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each day with racing at 6:00. Fans can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. After this week's races, SGR will have one race remaining in 2022. That will be Friday and Saturday, November 25th and 26th, when Grant competes in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series for the first time in the 81st running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway. Sexton/Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2022 season possible. Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Johnny Motorhead, Troy Dirt, Victory Graphix, Swift Powdercoat, Maxima Oil, Automated Interior, and an extra special thanks to Scotty and Jimmy Keys. If you or your business wants to partner up with one of the most visible Lightning Sprint teams on the West Coast for the 2023 season, please call (619) 454-6945. You can also E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Sexton Gatlin Racing 2022 Schedule 2022 Lucas Oil POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Dalton 1st - Brent 7th - Grant 15th March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Brent 1st - Dalton 3rd - Grant 4th March 25 Bakersfield Speedway CLS Winged - Grant 1st - Brent 8th - Dalton 17th April 16 Ventura Raceway VRA Sprints - Grant 1st April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Bezio 3rd - Brent 4th - Dalton 5th April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Grant 1st - Brent 4th - Dalton 5th May 14 Barona Speedway POWRi Wingless - Dalton 1st - Bezio 2nd - Brent 3rd May 28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Grant DNS June 11 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Grant 1st - Brent 2nd - Dalton 11th June 25 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Dalton 1st - Brent 2nd - Grant 3rd July 9 Barona Speedway POWRi Wingless - Brent 1st - Grant 2nd - Dalton 6th August 6 Santa Maria Raceway CLS Winged - Brent 1st - Dalton 15th August 6th Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Grant 11th B Main August 11 Norman County Speedway Minkota Nationals Winged - Dalton 8th - Brent 13th - Grant 25th August 12 River Cities Raceway Minkota Nationals Winged - Brent 1st - Grant 9th - Dalton 11th August 13 Greenbush Race Park Minkota Nationals Winged - Grant 6th - Brent 11th - Dalton 13th August 14 Minkota Nationals Minkota Nationals Winged - Grant 1st - Dalton 15th - Brent DNS Sept. 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Winged - Chiaramonte 1st - Brent 4th - Dalton 18th October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Winged - Grant 1st - Dalton 4th - Brent DNS October 8 Mojave Valley Raceway POWRi/CLS Winged - Brent 1st - A.J. Bender 2nd - Dalton 3rd October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Grant DNS October 21 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Winged - Dalton 3rd - Grant 4th - Brent Horn 8th October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Wingless - Brent 1st - Horn 8th - Dalton 14th October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway Open Comp. Sprint Cars - Grant 3rd Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway BCRA/CLS Winged Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless Nov. 19 Placerville Speedway BCRA/CLS Wingless This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- WILL BROWNE PREPARES FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT RACE OF THE SEASON AT BAKERSFIELD - PLACERVILLE TO FOLLOW
(Glendora, California, November 13, 2022) This time of year when the days are getting cooler and the leaves start falling from the trees is an important period for race drivers around the country. One of those is Glendora, California teenager Will Browne. The rookie driver will close his initial season in lightning sprints when the California Lightning Sprint Car Series appears Tuesday, November 15th, at the Bakersfield Speedway and then heads north to Placerville to wrap up the year in the three-night "Hangtown 100." 305255847_762704451652371_2366630231652135019_n.jpg Lance Jennings photo. For 18-year-old Browne, Tuesday's race is the most significant in his 2022 campaign. It is the last points race of the season and he comes into that event seventh in the season-long CLS point standings. He is also second in the chase for "Rookie of the Year." The driver just ahead of him in sixth is the leader in the "Rookie of the Year" battle. Two weeks ago, when the CLS staged its final race of the year at Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway, Browne entered the event 72-points behind the driver he needs to catch. A fine performance at Ventura saw him qualify fifth fastest in the 17-car field. He then placed second in his heat race and fourth in the 25-lap main event. It was his seventh top-five finish in his rookie season. That allowed him to chop 33-points off the disadvantage. He comes into Bakersfield only 39-points shy of sixth in the standings and the rookie leader. Browne has had a fine record at Bakersfield in his freshman campaign in the CLS. He has started all five mains and finished in the top 10 four times and the top five twice. His best finish at "The West's Fastest 1/3 Mile High Banked Clay Oval" was a fourth on May 14th. The only time he finished out of the top 10 at the famous track came on September 24th when he placed 11th. Tuesday's race will also be the finale in the five-race "Civil War Series" between the CLS and Northern California's Bay Cities Racing Association. Browne comes into that series fourth in points and is the leading rookie. He is only 13-points out of third and 31 out of second. His best finish of the entire year came in the mini-series when he placed second in a photo finish at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico on August 26th. In addition to the second-place finish, he took fourth in the CWS opener at Merced on April 2nd, was ninth on August 27th at Placerville, and 11th at Bakersfield in September. Browne will end his season on the 17th, 18th, and 19th at the Placerville Speedway in the "Hangtown 100." It will be three nights of non-point racing co-sanctioned by the CLS and BCRA. The trek north will be his second-ever visit to Placerville. The other was the above-mentioned ninth-place result at the track in August. In addition to placing ninth that night in the main (he started 14th) on the banked red clay quarter mile, he turned in the fourth fastest lap in qualifying with a time of 12.064. He also placed fifth in his heat race. If you wish to see Browne in person on Tuesday, gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. Fans can save $5.00 per ticket by ordering in advance at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1113. The historic track is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext. in Bakersfield. The website is https://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone is (661) 393-3373. In addition to the lightnings, the program will also include the "November Classic" for the USAC National Midgets. Advance tickets for the three nights at Placerville are available at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each day with racing at 6:00. Fans can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. Be sure to visit and signup for Browne's entertaining video page on YouTube at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSNglz0llw. Browne and the "Win Now Racing" team would like to thank marketing partner Pacific Panel Products for being a part of his rookie campaign in lightning sprint cars. If you would like to join the friendly driver as a marketing partner for the 2023 campaign, drop an email or give him a call at the following: willbrowne88@gmail.com or (626) 261-5310. Will Browne 2022 Racing Results March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main April 2 Merced Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 7th A Main May 14 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main May 21 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main June 11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main June 25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars DNS June 25 Ventura Raceway WMR Midgets 7th A Main August 6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway CLS/BCRA Lightning Sprint Cars 2ND A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway CLS/BCRA Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main September 10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 12th A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main September 24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 11th A Main October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars DNS October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars DNS October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 16th A Main October 29 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main November 15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars November 17 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars November 18 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars November 19 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909) 226-7768
- DYER MOTORSPORTS CONCLUDES ITS 2022 SEASON NEXT WEEK AT BAKERSFIELD AND PLACERVILLE
(Yucca Valley, CA, November 10, 2022) Nearly nine months after it started, Dyer Motorsports will finish its 2022 racing with four races next week. The first race will be the "6th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship" at the Bakersfield Speedway on Tuesday, November 15th. That will be followed up by a day of travel and then three straight nights of racing in the "Hangtown 100" at the Placerville Speedway on November 17th, 18th, and 19th. The race at Bakersfield will be the final points-paying race for the CLS and for the Civil War Series matching the California Lightning Sprint Cars vs Northern California's Bay cities racing association. Jeff Dyer and his son Seth will both be competing at Bakersfield. Jeff comes into that race tied for fourth in the championship series point standings. He also brings in the best 2022 main event finishing average at the track, 3.2 of all riders who have started three main events there. On May 14th at the track, Dyer turned in his best 2022 appearance on the Kern County oval when he placed second in the 25-lap main. In his other four starts at the track, he has finished third and fourth two times each. Bakersfield is the track where Seth launched his lightning sprint career with the CLS on June 11th. Two weeks ago the 15-year-old had turned in the best qualifying effort of his rookie season when he timed in 10th fastest of 16 cars at the Ventura Raceway. He followed that up by leading every inch of the way to score the first heat race win of his lightning career. Despite only running After Tuesday at Bakersfield, Dyer Motorsports will drive 316 miles north to the Placerville Speedway for the "Hangtown 100." Phelan's Cal Smith, who spent years racing in the SCRA Sprint Cars and ¾ midgets, will jump into Seth's car and join Jeff in the season-enders. In addition to the lightning sprints, Tuesday's show at Bakersfield will also include the "November Classic" for the USAC National Midgets. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. Fans can save $5.00 per ticket by ordering in advance at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1113. The historic track is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext. in Bakersfield. The track website is https://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone is (661) 393-3373. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each day with racing at 6:00. Fans can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. Advance tickets for Placerville are available at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandfather Glenn Sels throughout the 2022 season. Dyer would like to thank the following for making the 2022 season possible in the #4 Lightning Sprint Car. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, and Dyer Motorsports. For the USAC/CRA #39 sprint car, Straight Time Stirrups, Dependable Machines Inc., Hair Cuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, Justice Brothers, and Specialty Fasteners make it all possible. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2022, call (760) 267-0298 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff Dyer 2022 Results 3-5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest 13th A Main 3-25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3-26 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th A Main 4-1 Keller Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 14th A Main 4-2 Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA 23rd A Main 4-16 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 4-23 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th B Main 4-30 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 1 4-30 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 2 5-14 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5-14 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 5-21 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5-28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 6-11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 6-25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 7-16 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 7-23 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 8-6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main* 8-25 Silver Dollar Speedway California Lightning Sprints 16th A Main 8-26 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprints 17th A Main 9-10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 9-17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 9-24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 10-1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 10-8 Mohave Valley Raceway California Lightning/POWRi Southwest 11th A Main Seth Dyer 2022 Lightning Sprint Results 6-11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 6-25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 15th A Main 7-16 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 7-23 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 8-6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprints 14th A Main 8-25 Silver Dollar Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 9-10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprints 14th A Main 9-17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 16th A Main 9-24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 18th A Main 10-20 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 10-29 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information, use the following: call (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT BATTLES TO BE SETTLED AT BAKERSFIELD - PLACERVILLE TO FOLLOW
(Torrance, CA, November 10, 2022) The California Lightning Sprint Car Series will wrap up its 28th season of racing with four races next week. The first race will be the "6th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship" at Scott Schweitzer's Bakersfield Speedway on Tuesday, November 15th. That race will be the final points race for the CLS in 2022. It will also be the final of the annual "Civil War Series" featuring the CLS versus Northern California's Bay Cities Racing Association. After that, the club will journey north for the last three races of the year at the annual "Hangtown 100" at the Placerville Speedway on November 17th, 18th, and 19th. 304963786_614150010297916_5260543286247762772_n.jpg David Gasper will try to make it two in a row in the CLS title chase and the Civil War. D&P Photography Three key positions in the standings will be decided in Bakersfield on "The West's Fastest 1/3 Mile High Banked Clay Oval." The overall championship will come down to a pair of young drivers. Defending series champion David Gasper of Santa Barbara is first in the championship standings. He has a 77-point lead over Palmdale's Eric Greco going into the event. Camarillo's Cody Nigh has third place pretty much locked up. However, Yucca Valley California Highway Patrol officer Jeff Dyer and five-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills are tied for fourth. In the battle for the championship, Greco's main event average finish at Bakersfield this year is 3.5. Sixteen-year-old Gasper's average finish is 4.25. Gasper broke before the main event and did not compete in the season opener on March 25th. At the club's second appearance at the track, he broke again and was forced to drive someone else's car to a 10th-place finish in the A main. In addition to the 10th-place result, Gasper has a fifth and has won the last two races at the track. Greco's best finish at Bakersfield was a second, and he placed third two times. Like Gasper, Michnowicz had a disastrous first two stops at Bakersfield this year when he broke before the mains. To top that off, he did not make it to the third race of the year at the track. In the last two races there, the driver who will celebrate his 59th birthday at the track on Tuesday has a pair of second-place finishes. Dyer has had a good season at the oval that is affectionately referred to as the "Okie Bowl." In five starts he has not placed worse than fourth. He came home second one time and finished in third and fourth two times each. That gives him a fine 3.2 finishing average at the track this year. That is the best among the CLS regulars who have started at least three of the races at the facility in 2022. Another top-10 battle that will be decided on Tuesday will also determine who is the rookie of the year. Going into the last race in the series at Ventura two weeks ago, Fillmore's Connor Speir was 6th in the championship standings and fellow rookie Will Browne of Glendora was seventh. Speir had a 72-point advantage over Browne heading into that contest. However, Browne's fourth-place finish combined with Speir's 11th narrowed the advantage to 39-points. Each of the freshmen has started all five races at Bakersfield this year. Brown's best finish was a fourth and Speir's best was a seventh (two times). Speir's finishing average at the track is 11.00, while Browne's is 7.20. Tuesday will also be the final of five races in the "Civil War Series." CLS drivers man the first five positions and BCRA racers make up sixth through 10th. Like the regular season CLS championship point standings, Gasper is the point leader in the CWS with Greco second. Gasper, who won the triple crown last year winning the "Civil War Series," and CLS titles as well as being named Rookie of the Year, is 63 points ahead of Greco. Michnowicz is third and trails Greco by 18-points. Browne ranks fourth and is only 13 points out of third with Nigh in fifth. Starting in 2017, the "Western States Lightning Sprints Championship" has seen four different winners in its first five years of existence. Indiana's Andy Bradley won the first one and was followed by Kingsburg's Doug Nunes in 2018. Michnowicz won two in a row in 2019 and 2020. Last year San Diego's A.J. Bender, a rising star in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, took the Western States title driving for Sexton Gatlin racing. Bender, who won two CLS races at Bakersfield earlier this year driving for Mike Schweitzer, will be driving for Sexton Gatlin Racing again on Tuesday. Joining him will be new POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Brent Sexton and his 18-year-old son Grant. The younger Sexton won the season opener at Bakersfield in a photo finish on March 25th. Brent has CLS wins at Santa Maria on August 6th and Mohave Valley on October 8th. After one night off, the CLS drivers will head north for the three-night "Hangtown 100" at the Placerville Speedway. The non-points event will be co-sanctioned by the BCRA. Last year, USAC racing star Logan Seavey of Sutter, California won the opening night and the finale on the red clay ¼ mile oval. Sandwiched in between was a victory for Colorado Springs, Colorado star Chris Crowder. Bender, who finished second on all three nights of the 2021 "Hangtown 100" last year, will be in Schweitzer's #41 Lightning Sprint at Placerville. He will also be driving the #1 LKK midget he steered to fourth in the championship standings and to the "Rookie of the Year" honors in this year's USAC Western Midget Series. Tuesday's show at Bakersfield will also include the "November Classic" for the USAC National Midgets. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with racing at 7:00. Fans can save $5.00 per ticket by ordering in advance at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1113. The historic track is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext. in Bakersfield. The track website is https://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone is (661) 393-3373. Advance tickets for Placerville are available at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/hangtown-2022. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each day with racing at 6:00. Fans can find the track at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville. The website is https://www.placervillespeedway.com/ and the track phone is (530) 344-7592. California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - 2045 2. Eric Greco - 1968 3. Cody Nigh - 1812 4. Jeff Dyer - 1716 4. Bobby Michnowicz - 1716 6. Connor Speir - 1456 7. Will Browne - 1417 8. Jon Robertson - 1193 9. Pat Kelley - 1111 10. Dominic Del Monte - 784 Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - CLS - 514 2. Eric Greco - CLS - 451 3. Bobby Michnowicz - CLS - 433 4. Will Browne - CLS - 420 5. Cody Nigh - CLS - 385 6. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 383 7. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 358 8. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 331 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 329 10. Brandon Leedy - BCRA - 302 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 - Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged - Dave Gasper August 6 *Santa Maria Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 - Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 - David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS - Brent Sexton October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 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
- BRADEN CHIARAMONTE IS HEADING TO THE BILLY SHUMAN MEMORIAL AT ADOBE MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY THIS WEEK
(El Cajon, CA, November 9, 2022) After two weeks off from his busy racing schedule, talented teenager Braden Chiaramonte will be back in action this Friday and Saturday in the 1st Annual Tribute To Billy Shuman and W. Steven Toy Drive at Arizona's Adobe Mountain Speedway. The young star will be competing in the 600 Non-Wing class on both nights. Personable Chiaramonte, who lives in El Cajon, California, will make the 339-mile journey to the track that is located in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale for the very first time. It will be the 16th different track he has competed on since January 1st when he contested the Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma. In addition, the contest will be held in the sixth different state he has raced in this year. As well as his native California and Oklahoma, the versatile racer has also competed in Indiana Nebraska, and Texas thus far in 2022. He has raced in winged and non-wing micros, winged and non-winged lightning sprints, USAC Midgets, and 360-winged sprint cars. Chiaramonte's last competition was at Tulsa's famous Port City Raceway in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback Race. On his first night of competition there on October 21st, he was the fastest qualifier of the 61 cars on hand and placed eighth in the A main event. Competing in a stacked field of 117 cars on the second night, the impressive 15-year-old was one of only 24 cars to get one of the coveted spots in the 67-lap main. He started the grind in 21st and advanced six spots forward to finish 15th. Only three other drivers passed more cars than Chiaramonte in the main event. Saturday's tribute race honors the memory of Arizona racing legend Billy Shuman. The famous driver drove and won in sprint cars, midgets, and super modifieds throughout the country during his illustrious career. He was a fan favorite at every stop along the way. A commercial for this week's Adobe Mountain Speedway race is at the following link https://bit.ly/3WRGEi2. For fans who wish to attend the two-day race in person, the gates will open on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Hot laps will begin at 6:00 and the first race will be at 7:00. On Saturday, The gates will once again open at 2:00 p.m. with racing at 5:30. Tickets are $10.00 for those aged 13 and up. Kids 5-12 get in for $5.00 and children four and under are admitted free. Adobe Mountain Speedway is located just south of Pinnacle Peak Road on 43rd Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Driving directions are available at https://www.adobemountainspeedway.com/about. For those who cannot make it, the race will be streamed live on Speed Union TV. Information on how to watch is available at https://www.speeduniontv.com/. In addition to watching the exciting racing, fans attending in person are urged to bring an unwrapped toy for the W. Steven Toy Drive. In exchange for the toys, fans will receive raffle tickets for prizes including a big-screen tv that will be given away on Saturday night. Also, the Arizona Motorsports Hall of Fame will hold its 2022 induction ceremony during intermission on Saturday. As the season is winding down, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for another busy year in 2023. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and affable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563. A few weeks ago, Chiaramonte was a guest on the Racer Radio Show. You can hear a replay of the show (Chiaramonte comes on at around 24 minutes) at the following link http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/radio22/RACERRADIO220918.mp3. Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2022 racing season possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data. Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q. May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 8th C Main September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell's Micro Mania 22nd B Main September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw 7th B Main October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw 14th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw 16th A Main October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw 16th B Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw 9th A Main October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw 7th B Main October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. You can contact him online at mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or by calling (909) 226-7768.
- WILL BROWNE TAKES ANOTHER TOP-FIVE IN CLS ACTION - BAKERSFIELD AND PLACERVILLE NEXT
(Glendora, California, November 7, 2022) Impressive rookie Will Browne picked up his seventh top-five finish of 2022 when he placed fourth in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event at the Ventura Raceway on October 29th. The finish allowed him to close the gap from 72 points down to 39 in the "Rookie of the Year" battle heading into the final points race of 2022 at the Bakersfield Speedway on November 15th. 305333235_465964848777567_8472627722709539918_n.jpg Will Browne photo courtesy of Lance Jennings. Browne and the "Win Now Racing" #8 team turned up at the oceanside oval knowing that a top finish was needed to stay in the "Rookie of the Year" chase. It came at a track where he only contested one CLS main. That was on May 21st. In that race, he went home with a sixth-place finish. On the 29th, Browne knew he needed to better that performance and that is just what he went out and did by placing fourth in the 25-lapper. Eighteen-year-old Browne qualified fifth out of the 17 cars to take part in time trials when he stopped the clocks at 12.558. That put him on the outside of row number two for his eight-lap heat race. From that position, he ended up finishing second. When the cars rolled out of the pit area for the final CLS race at Ventura this year, the Glendora, California racer was starting on the pole. Once the Kris Kornder green flag dropped to get the race started, he was second into turn one. The lanky racer stayed in second through the early going and was third when the first of two yellow flags waved on lap 12. Once the action resumed, Browne hung on to the third spot until lap 16 when he slipped back to fourth and that is where he finished. Of his seven top-five finishes this year, Browne has a season-best second place at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico on August 26th. He has also placed fourth and fifth three times each. Perhaps just as impressive as the seven top fives is the fact that he has 13 top 10 finishes in the 16 main events he has started thus far in 2022. That is quite impressive for a rookie in the 28-year-old CLS series. Browne will wrap up the CLS point-paying season at the 6th Annual Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championships at the Bakersfield Speedway on Tuesday, November 15th. He comes into that race seventh in the overall championship standings and as mentioned earlier, he is a close second in the "Rookie of the Year" points. That race will also be the wrap-up for the five-race "Civil War Series." Browne is fourth in CVS points, a mere 13-points out of third and only 31 out of second. Two days after Bakersfield, he will journey to the Placerville Speedway to conclude his rookie campaign at the three-night "Hangtown 100." Be sure to visit and signup for Browne's entertaining video page on YouTube at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSNglz0llw. Browne and the "Win Now Racing" team would like to thank marketing partner Pacific Panel Products for being a part of his rookie campaign in lightning sprint cars. If you would like to join the friendly driver as a marketing partner for the 2023 campaign, drop an email or give him a call at the following: willbrowne88@gmail.com or (626) 261-5310. Will Browne 2022 Racing Results March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main April 2 Merced Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main April 16 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 7th A Main May 14 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main May 21 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 6th A Main June 11 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main June 25 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars DNS June 25 Ventura Raceway WMR Midgets 7th A Main August 6 Santa Maria Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway CLS/BCRA Lightning Sprint Cars 2nd A Main August 27 Placerville Speedway CLS/BCRA Lightning Sprint Cars 9th A Main September 10 Lemoore Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 12th A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 5th A Main September 24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars 11th A Main October 1 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars DNS October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars DNS October 22 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars 16th A Main October 29 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprint Cars 4th A Main November 15 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars November 17 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars November 18 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars November 19 Placerville Speedway California Lightning Sprint Cars This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com or (909) 226-7768
- BOBBY MICHNOWICZ GOES WIRE TO WIRE IN CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES MAIN AT VENTURA
(Torrance, CA, November 6, 2022) When you chain an old dog to the front porch, he is going to bark. That is exactly what happened when five-time California Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Bobby Michnowicz started on the outside of the front row when the CLS visited Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway on October 29th. The veteran driver roared away from the pack and led every inch of the way for his fourth win of 2022. 312140380_548863817046258_59651180472463838_n.jpg Winner Bobby Michnowicz (center with second-place Eric Greco (left) and third-place David Gasper. CLS photo. Eighteen cars showed up for the final race of the year at the picturesque track located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds. When BR Motorsports Qualifying ended, Michnowicz, who lives in Oak Hills, laid down the fastest lap with a time of 12.326. It was the fourth time in 2022 that he out-qualified a talent-laden CLS field. His teammate, three-time series champ Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley, was second quickest at 12.357. The third speediest time was turned in by Camarillo's Cody Nigh, Michnowicz's nephew, at 12.393. Young Seth Dyer of Yucca Valley qualified 10th fastest and for the first time in his brief CLS career, was allowed to start where he qualified (instead of the rookie routine at the back). The affable team started outside the front row for Extreme Muffler's heat race one. The second-generation driver led every inch of the way and scored his crowd-pleasing first-ever CLS heat win. Lakewood's Aiden Lange and Nigh chased the 15-year-old home. "Rockstar" Jon Robertson of Torrance captured his third heat race win of 2022 in the Yoshimura R&D Heat race two over Quartz Hill's Gage Cheek and series-leading rookie Connor Speir of Fillmore. Eighteen-year-old Rookie Will Browne of Glendora was on the pole for the start of the 25-lap main with Michnowicz alongside. Palmdale's Eric Greco and Nigh comprised the second row with Speir and Lange in row three. As soon as starter Kris Kornder threw the green flag to start the 25-lapper, Michnowicz steered his T Shirts By Timeless/Fabozzi Metalworks/Pflum & Wagner/Super Shox/Outlaw Wings/Kaiser Wheels/Fast Time Studios/Bondio Fabrication #21K into the lead. Browne, Nigh, and Greco gave chase. By the end of the second circuit, Michnowicz had over a half-straight advantage over his pursuers. While Michnowicz was running away from the field, defending series champion and current point leader David Gasper of Santa Barbara was drawing a lot of the spectator's attention. The 16-year-old started the night off by losing an engine in qualifying forcing the Kittle Motorsports team to go to a backup car. He started the main in 10th but was fifth by the end of lap two. Out front, the streaking Michnowicz became immersed in lapped traffic on the sixth go-around, but it failed to slow him. He was flying past the slower cars like a hot knife thru butter. The leader stayed far away from his nearest competitor until lap 11 when a yellow slowed the field. The culprit of the yellow was Michnowicz's teammate Kramer, who came to a stop in turn two. For the restart, it was Michnowicz at the point. Greco, who got by Browne in lapped traffic was second. Browne, Gasper, and Nigh rounded out the top five. Try as he might, Greco could not keep up with Michnowicz who was a half straightaway ahead on lap 13. Likewise, Greco put the same distance between himself and third-place Browne. By lap 16, Michnowicz was back into the lap traffic. The first time thru, he encountered little problems. This time, near disaster struck. As he was closing on Speir to put him a lap down, the rookie spun and Michnowicz narrowly avoided him when the yellow flag came out. The second yellow of the race once again brought the pursuers to Michnowicz rear end. It was the same players in the top five with Greco second, Browne third, Gasper fourth, and Nigh fifth. The only change after Kornder waved the green was Gasper getting by Browne for third. Meanwhile, at the front, Michnowicz just motored away. By the time he got to the white, he was back into lapped traffic. Like the rest of the race, it was all his, but he did have a hiccup coming off turn four while heading for the checkers. A lapped car right in front of him clipped the inside berm and nearly spun in front of the race-long leader. Disaster was averted and Michnowicz took the checkers first for his fourth win of the year. Greco placed second with Gasper, Browne, and Nigh rounding out the top five. Kramer came from his restart at the back to finish sixth. Gasper's finish netted him the Speed Mart/Advanced Racing Suspension/Hepfner Racing Hard Charger Awards finishing third after starting 11th. "That was a good race," Michnowicz told the crowd after. "Wendy (his wife) drew the #2 and that put us on the front row. I just tried to run smooth laps and not run too hard and just weed my way through traffic. I figured the #18 car was probably coming. The track was great. It is more of a paper clip now. Jimmy (promoter Jim Naylor) changed it so we have to slow down for the corners and hit our marks." The CLS returns to action on Tuesday, November 18th, for the final points race of the season at the Bakersfield Speedway. Greco comes in 77-points behind Gasper and still has a shot at the title. Nigh has a pretty firm grip on third in the championship standings. Yucca Valley's Jeff Dyer and Michnowicz are tied for fourth. The race will also be the finale for the five-race "Civil War Series" that pits the CLS against Northern California's BCRA. Like the CLS regular championship, Gasper also won the "Civil War Series" title last year and is in the lead going into the final race. He is 63-points up on Gasper in the CWS. Michnowicz is third and is only 18-points in back of Greco and rookie Browne is just 13 behind Michnowicz. Nigh is fifth. After Bakersfield, the CLS will wrap up the 2022 campaign with three nights of non-point racing at the Placerville Raceway in the "Hangtown 100" on November 17, 18, and 19. Highlights of the CLS main courtesy of LoudPedal Productions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEsYpoxczi4 Ventura Raceway October 29th Contingency Awards Extreme Mufflers Heat #1 - $50.00 Product Certificate - Seth Dyer Yoshimura R&D Heat #2 - $50.00 CSI Shocks - Jon Robertson Main Event Winner - $100.00 Eibach Sprints Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz Main Event 2nd Place - Valco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate - Eric Greco Main Event 3rd Place - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50.00 Product Certificate - David Gasper Main Event 5th Place - Smith Titanium $50.00 Product Certificate - Cody Nigh Quick Time - BR Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate - Bobby Michnowicz Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Certificate/Advanced Racing Suspension $50.00 Certificate/Hepfner Racing $25.00 Certificate - David Gasper 1st Car Not On Lead Lap - Rebel Gears $30.00 Coupon - Jacob Magallanes Hard Luck Award - $25.00 Speed Mart $25.00 Certificate - Jeff Dyer Ventura Raceway October 29 Results Heat #1 (8 Laps): one period Bobby Michnowicz, 12.326; 2. Jarrett Kramer 12.357; 3. Cody Nigh, 12.393; 4. Eric Greco, 12.446; 5. Will Browne, 12.558; 6. Connor Speir, 12.616; 7. David Gasper, 12.731; 8. Aiden Lange, 12.786; 9. Gage Cheek, 12.898; 10. Seth Dyer, 13.140; 11. Jon Robertson, 13.167; 12. Dale Gamer, 13.421; 13. Jacob Magallanes, 13.484; 14. Mark Henry, 13.694; 15. Pat Kelley, NT; 16 Dominic Del Monte, NT Extreme Muffler Heat Race #1 (8-Laps): 1. Seth Dyer; 2. Aiden Lange; 3. Cody Nigh; 4. Bobby Michnowicz; 5. Will Browne; 6. Mark Henry; 7. Dale Gamer; 8. Pat Kelley Yoshimura R&D Heat Race #2 (8-Laps): 1. Jon Robertson; 2. Gage Cheek; 3. Connor Speir; 4. Eric Greco; 5. Dave Gasper; 6. Jarrett Kramer; 7. Dominic Del Monte; 8. Jacob Magallanes Ventura Raceway 25-Lap Main Event (with starting positions and differences 1. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA (2nd) 2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, (3rd) - 1.925 3. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA (10th) - 2.742 4. Will Browne, Glendora, CA, (1st) - 4.072 5. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA (4th) - 6.220 6. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA (11th) - 7.204 7. Mark Henry Rosamond, CA (13th) - 9.143 8. Gage Cheek, Quartz Hills, CA (9th) - 9.305 9. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA (14th) 9.807 10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA (8th) - 11.161 11. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA (5th) - 11.690 12. Jacob Magallanes, Pasadena, CA (16th) - 2 Laps 13. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (7th) - 2 Laps 14. Dale Gamer, Anaheim, CA (12th) - 10 Laps 15. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, (15th) - 13 Laps 16. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA - (6th) - 23 Laps California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - 2045 2. Eric Greco - 1968 3. Cody Nigh - 1812 3. Jeff Dyer - 1716 5. Bobby Michnowicz - 1716 6. Connor Speir - 1456 7. Will Browne - 1417 8. Jon Robertson - 1193 9. Pat Kelley - 1111 10. Dominic Del Monte - 784 Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper - CLS - 514 2. Eric Greco - CLS - 451 3. Bobby Michnowicz - CLS - 433 4. Will Browne - CLS - 420 5. Cody Nigh - CLS - 385 6. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 383 7. Dakota Albright - BCRA - 358 8. Harlee Aguilera - BCRA - 331 9. Matt Land - BCRA - 329 10. Brandon Leedy - BCRA - 302 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 - Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged - David Gasper July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged - Dave Gasper August 6 *Santa Maria Raceway Winged - Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged - Civil War #2 - Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged - Civil War #3 - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - Civil War #4 - David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged - With SWLS - Brent Sexton October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged - Bobby Michnowicz Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged - With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing - With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 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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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing Videos
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Tracks
- Bakersfield Speedway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA
- Keller Auto Speedway Race TrackHanford, California, USA
- Kern County Raceway Park Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA
- Merced Speedway Race TrackMerced, California, USA
- Placerville Speedway Race TrackPlacerville, California, USA
- Santa Maria Raceway Race TrackNipomo, California, USA
- Silver Dollar Speedway Race TrackChico, California, USA
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA