CLS - California Lightning Sprints
The California Lightning Sprints are the premier winged Lightning Sprints series in the country. 2024 marks the Southern California based club's 30th season of operation. Lightning sprints are 1000cc super-bike powered full midget chassis that are one of the most exciting experiences in short track racing. The relatively small dirt and clay oval tracks (1/4 - 1/3 mile) and high speeds (in excess of 100 mph) make for easy-to-view, action-packed, high-intensity racing for everyone. Drivers must possess extraordinary reflexes, coordination, and setup skills in order to excel in these cars. Whether as a gateway series to full sized sprint cars or as a destination for the local racer who wants to hone their keen senses and competitive skills, Lightning Sprints are the biggest bang for your buck and have something for everyone. We provide a series that is professionally run, administrated and highly competitive.
- Schedule
- News
- Dirt Tracks
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing Schedule
Schedules are known to change without warning, double check with race track before heading out.
Sat, Jul 27
- Santa Maria Raceway Race TrackNipomo, California, USA - Races
Fri, Sep 13
- Bakersfield Speedway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA - Races
Sat, Sep 14
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Sat, Sep 28
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Sat, Oct 5
- Merced Speedway Race TrackMerced, California, USA - Races
Sat, Oct 26
- Ventura Raceway Race TrackVentura, California, USA - Races
Fri, Nov 15
- Placerville Speedway Race TrackPlacerville, California, USA - Races
Sat, Nov 16
- Placerville Speedway Race TrackPlacerville, California, USA - Races
Tue, Nov 26
- Bakersfield Speedway Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA - Races
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CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing News
- ROOKIE BRENT SEXTON HAS SEASON-BEST USAC/CRA FINISH AT PERRIS - RACING VENTURA THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, July 18, 2024) Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car rookie driver Brent Sexton scored his best series finish of the season when he placed ninth in the 30-lap main event last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. This Saturday, Sexton and his 20-year-old son Grant will head to the Ventura Raceway for the Ultimate Sprint Car Series, presented by Inland Rigging, "Surecam Showdown." Flying solo last week as Grant was home ill, Sexton, 52, began the night with a 17.482 lap in qualifying. That was the 14th fastest of the cars on hand. He followed that up with an eighth-place finish in his 10-lap heat. Needless to say, the night was not going the way he had planned. Sexton was slated to start the 30-lap main event in the 13th starting position. Then things began to improve. Before a lap was officially recorded, he moved up a couple of spots due to the extracurricular activities of some of the others in the field before a lap was completed. When things finally got sorted out, Sexton, driving the flashy white and fluorescent orange #22 Triple X Chassis powered by a former Rico Abreu Shaver 360, was very racy and was battling in the top 10. Sexton got hooked up in a great side-by-side duel with Yucca Valley, California veteran Jeff Dyer. The two have raced against each other for years in the lightning sprints and they kept the crowd entertained by racing side by side for nearly ten thrilling laps. In the end, Lakeside, California-based Sexton avoided the chaos and brought the #22 car home ninth. It was his first USAC/CRA top 10 of 2024 and his second-best lifetime series finish. The only better one came on June 10, 2023, when he made his debut in the series at Perris and shocked everyone by coming home sixth. "I think I was up to starting sixth when the race got going," Sexton laughed about last Saturday's main. "There was a lot of attrition, and that helped. Also, staying out of the wrecks helped a lot. I am happy with it. I will take it and get ready for this week's race." "The biggest kick for me was the battle I had with Jeff Dyer," Sexton said. "We raced side by side for a lot of laps. We have raced against each other for years in lightning sprint cars, so it was a lot of fun racing hard with him on Saturday." Unfortunately, Dyer was involved in a serious crash when another car flipped and landed on top of him near the end of the race. The blow knocked Dyer out, and his foot pushed the pedal down. He hit the wall with a Titanic force and then flipped. While he quickly regained consciousness, it took EMTs quite some time to get him out of the car as they were immobilizing an arm he broke in the crash. Sitting in his car, Sexton was worried about his friend. "I was sitting in the car and heard over the radio it was Jeff," Sexton recalled. "It was taking some time to get him out, so it was kind of scary and worrisome wondering what was wrong and why it was taking so long. It was a relief when they said it was an arm injury and they were just being careful getting him out." Sexton is a three-time Lightning Sprint Car Series champion, and he still dabbles with the smaller cars when he does not have a full-size sprint car series race. In fact, he won a SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series race on San Diego County's Barona Speedway on May 25th. However, he has the time of his life in the full-size cars and wishes he had made the jump up a long time ago. "I am having so much fun," Sexton said when asked about driving the larger, more powerful cars. "I wish I would have bitten the bullet and done it before so I could have raced against some of the legends. Guys like David Cardey, Rickie Gaunt, and others." The wily veteran, who is third in the USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year standings, is 13th in the season-long championship points chase after 10 of 23 races. Sexton Will make the transition from the big half-mile at Perris to the 1/5-mile Ventura oval this Saturday. It will be his third race in the USCS. His best finish so far was a 10th at Ventura on June 1st. His other outing in the club came in May at the Bakersfield Speedway. Unfortunately, he left that one early after slapping the turn 4 wall and finishing 20th. He goes into Saturday's dirt track war 22nd in USCS points. Saturday will be Grant's first race since a July 6th affair at the Santa Maria Speedway. That night, he was knocked out of the main event on lap two and finished 20th. He was slated to compete at Perris last week but scratched due to feeling under the weather. In his first three appearances with the USCS, the 2023 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has a third, a fifth, and a 16th-place finish. He will be in a tie for 15th when he arrives at the beachside oval on Saturday. Spectator gates for Saturday's USCS race at Ventura will open at 3:00 p.m., with racing at 5:30. Adult tickets are $22.00. Seniors 60 and over, military with ID, and students with an ID get in for $18.00. Children 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by an adult. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/, and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 10th A Main 6/8/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 7/13/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Car Series 5th A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 3rd A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main Braydin Collie 2024 Results 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- JEFF DYER IS AWAITING SURGERY AFTER A CRASH IN SATURDAY'S USAC/CRA MAIN EVENT AT PERRIS
(Yucca Valley, CA, July 14, 2024) Veteran Southern California sprint car driver Jeff Dyer is currently in the hospital waiting for surgery after a crash in Saturday's Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Series main event at Perris Auto Speedway. The popular driver suffered a broken right humorous bone in the grinding pile-up that occurred on lap 25 of the main event. In addition to the broken bone, he also suffered a concussion and will be confined to the hospital for a week. The incident happened when another driver's steering box malfunctioned, and his car pounded the turn one crash wall. When he came off the wall, the driver began to flip down the track. Dyer, with nowhere to go, got clobbered by the flipping car, and they hit cage to cage. "I just saw him jumping the cushion in turn one," Dyer said from his bed at the Riverside University Hospital. "I tried to turn down, but he started to flip. I do not remember anything after that. When I hit him, we hit cage to cage. Our cage got pushed in pretty good. We think that is when I broke my arm as my seat got hit really hard. When that happened, it knocked me out and it knocked the wind out of me. We think my foot stayed on the throttle." What happened next was something Dyer is probably glad he cannot remember. His 900-horsepower car blasted head-on into the turn-two crash wall and then into one of the track's sponsor billboards before tumbling back down to earth. Safety crews were on the scene in a flash, and he quickly regained consciousness. He remembers the safety crew telling him to "shut the fuel off." At that point, he did not realize he was hurt until he tried to get out of the car, and his "arm was not working." He then remained in the car for quite some time as the EMTs wanted to ensure his arm was stabilized before they removed him for the trip to the hospital. "I did not even know that happened until someone told me," he said when reminded he clobbered the crashwall and the billboard. "I just thought I hit Logan and came to a stop. I did not know all of that other $#@? happened until afterward." Dyer, a Yucca Valley, California resident, is resting kind of uncomfortably as he waits for Monday's surgery. "I am pretty sore," he said. "Of course my arm hurts really bad. It was a clean break all the way through. So they are going to put some rods and pins in it and put me back together like Humpty Dumpty." Another injury in the crash is the car. Dyer's teenage racing son Seth reported that he thinks the car is junk. However, the engine is fine, as it did not get over-revved in the crash. There has been a big outpouring of best wishes and prayers for Dyer on the Internet, and he appreciates that. "That is really cool, man," he said from the hospital. "I appreciate that and thank them very much. I heard a lot of people came down to the pit afterward and helped everyone load everything up. So, that was pretty cool, too. Thanks to those people as well." While his arm is broken and needs fixing, one thing that has remained intact is Dyer's tremendous sense of humor. "I am glad I could make the 9.8 scale," he laughed when told that's what judges would have scored the crash. "That is nice. As long as I entertained, that is what we are there to do." In 2024, the following marketing partners will help keep the Dyers on track. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, Straight Time Stirrups, Justice Brothers, Fonseca Racing, Specialty Fasteners, and Blud Racing Lubricants. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2024, call (760) 550-7237 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2024 season. Jeff Dyer's 2024 Racing Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints DNS 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 3/9/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 17th A Main 5/4/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 6/8/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 6/15/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 7/13/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main Seth Dyer's 2024 Racing Results 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 5/4/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway Young Gun Sprint Cars 4th A Main 6/8/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 6/15/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 12th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information: phone (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING READY FOR PERRIS AFTER ROUGH NIGHT AT SANTA MARIA
(Lakeside, CA, July 11, 2024) After getting hit by what seemed like everything but the track ambulance at Santa Maria, Sexton Gatlin Racing drivers Brent Sexton and his son Grant have dusted themselves off, repaired their damaged cars, and are ready for Saturday's Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car race at Perris Auto Speedway. Gates at the famous Riverside County half-mile oval will open at 5:00 p.m., and the first exciting race will take the green flag at 7:00. The Sexton Gatlin Racing rig made the nearly 300-mile trip north to Santa Maria with three cars inside. One each for Brent and Grant to race in the USAC/CRA Series and a lightning sprint for Lakeside, California flat track motorcycle racer Braydin Collie to use in the companion California Lightning Sprint Car Series race. Brent and Grant were matched up against 24 other top-of-the-line USAC/CRA cars. 2023 Rookie of the Year Grant recorded the best lap of the duo when he shot around the banked 1/3 mile oval in 14.140. That was good enough for the 14th best time of the night. Brent, a 52-year-old who is running for Rookie of the Year this season, stopped the clocks at 14.907 in his ex-Rico Abreu 360. That placed him 19th fastest of the 26. The top five finishers in each 10-lap heat went straight to the 30-lap main event. Drivers finishing sixth on back would have to run the B main. Brent steered the #44 to a seventh-place finish in his heat, meaning he would have extra work in front of him to try and get to the main. Grant, who will turn 20 on Tuesday, fared better when he finished fifth and booked his ticket for the 30-lapper. Brent, who was born in Tennessee, had his work cut out for him in the B main. The three-time lightning sprint car champion was lined up against nine other drivers. The first seven finishers would make it into the A main. In baseball vernacular, the drivers finishing eighth through 10th would hit the showers. The veteran performed well and finished third. That allowed him to join Grant in the A main. Unfortunately, things unraveled in a hurry in the A for both drivers. Grant started 14th, and Brent began in 18th. The chaos started at the beginning of the A main when a car got sideways at the start, leaving Brent nowhere to go. The veteran tipped over. The result was the left rear rim was bent into the bleeder valve. Initially, the crew could not get the wheel nut off until they used a jack to split the wheel apart. Amazingly, they finally got the job done and changed the left rear shock as well, and he was ready for the restart. Coming off his series-best sixth-place finish at Perris a couple of weeks earlier, Grant got caught up in someone else's mess on lap two and flipped. The car suffered costly damage, including a broken Jacob's ladder, exhaust, shocks, and right rear wheel. His #22 was too damaged to continue, and he ended his race with a very frustrating 20th-place finish. With Grant out, SGR fans focused on Brent, who raced for the duration of the 30-lap event and finished 15th. Coming into Saturday's sixth series race of 2024 at Perris, Grant is tied for 14th in the championship standings. One spot and six points behind his youngest offspring is Brent. Collie made his lightning sprint car debut in the fast Sexton Gatlin Racing #44, normally steered by Brent. To say it was an impressive debut is a vast understatement. Being his first time in a lightning sprint, it was no surprise that the flat tracker qualified last in the 14-car field. After all, he had never raced a lightning sprint prior. He also placed last in his heat. However, in the main event, he nearly captured the "Hard Charger" award, going from the 13th starting spot to finish sixth. Adult tickets for Saturday's race are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6-12, it is only $5.00, and children 5 and under are free. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking. Advance tickets are available at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7/event/1366778 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance, there will be plenty available for everyone at the ticket window on Saturday night. Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris. The track website is https://santamariaspeedway.net/. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 10th A Main 6/8/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 3rd A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main Braydin Collie 2024 Results 7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- JEFF DYER GETS HIS FIRST WIN OF THE YEAR AT THE SANTA MARIA SPEEDWAY
(Yucca Valley, CA, June 27, 2024) Jeff Dyer finally shook the giant gorilla off his back and won his first main event of the season by dominating last Saturday night's California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event at the Santa Maria Speedway. Dyer's 17-year-old son Seth ended up 12th in the same main event after being knocked out by a broken injector wire. In the companion Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series Doug Fort Memorial 30-lap main event, California Highway Patrol Officer Jeff got beaten around like a pinata but still came home 14th. Sporting new Power Performance Protection Engines, things started out well enough for the Dyer Motorsports duo in qualifying with the CLS. Jeff was the second quickest of the fourteen cars on hand at 14.314. Seth's best time was 14.782. That ended up being the sixth fastest of the night. On Saturday, Seth was the first member of the Yucca Valley, California-based team to contest a race at the 60-year-old track. The teen started on the front and finished third in the first heat. Moments later, the patriarch of the family, Jeff, took to the track. He started on the outside of the front row and advanced forward to finish second. Jeff, who has a Santa Maria winner's trophy from 2019 sitting on his mantle, started on the outside of the front row and stormed into the lead at the start of the main event. Even at that early point in the race, it was evident that he was far faster than all the other cars as he quickly pulled away from the competition. Seth, who came into the night 4th in the championship point standings, was coming from the inside of the second row in the 25-lapper. The talented teen ran in the top five the whole time he was on the track. However, that time ended 17 laps before the checkered flag ended the race. That is when the injector wire broke and saddled in with a frustrating 12th-place finish. Out front, Jeff's only worries came in the form of two yellow flags during the race. However, those worries turned out to be minor because the two times the green flag came back out, he simply motored away from the pack. At the end of the 25th and final lap, he had a full straightaway advantage over his closest pursuer. "We have had our struggles this year," the happy CHP officer told the large enthusiastic crowd after his win. "We have been super-fast. It is the first year we have had where we keep blowing engines. We haven't changed anything. It held together tonight. The track was technical and heavy. I have always had a little trouble freeing my cars up to run the top. They do not really run too good in the heavy stuff. It was kind of slick down below and that is what it stayed at. When you are leading, you never move from what you are doing until they try to pass you. I knew that if I was fast enough they were going to have to wind them up." Dyer's performance in the Cal Sun Racing/Dyer Motorsports #39 in the USAC/CRA portion of the program, got off to a good start when he qualified 10th fastest in the 26-car field. A fourth-place finish in his 10-lap heat race gave him one of the five direct transfers to the main event. The veteran started the main in the 10th spot. With the car working as well, a top-10 finish was certainly in the offing for the night. Unfortunately, he got clobbered. The incident cracked the housing on his rear end, bent a shock, flattened the left rear tire, and bent the steering wheel (another car's tire entered the cockpit and tagged the steering wheel). Despite the damage, his crew got the car back on the track for the restart, and he finished the race in 14th place. Adult tickets for Saturday's race are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6-12, it is only $5.00, and children 5 and under are free. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking. Advance tickets are available at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7/event/1366778 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance, there will be plenty available for everyone at the ticket window on Saturday night. Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris. The track website is https://santamariaspeedway.net/. Seth will return to action with his dad when the California Lightning Sprint Cars return to the Santa Maria Speedway on July 27th for round #2 of the CLS/BCRA Civil War Series. In 2024, the following marketing partners will help keep the Dyers on track. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, Straight Time Stirrups, Justice Brothers, Fonseca Racing, Specialty Fasteners, and Blud Racing Lubricants. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2024, call (760) 550-7237 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2024 season. Jeff Dyer's 2024 Racing Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints DNS 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 3/9/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 17th A Main 5/4/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 6/8/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 6/15/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 7/9/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 7/9/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 1st A Main Seth Dyer's 2024 Racing Results 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 5/4/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway Young Gun Sprint Cars 4th A Main 6/8/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 6/15/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 7/9/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 12th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information: phone (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- USAC/CRA POINT BATTLE THE BEST IN SERIES HISTORY?
(Perris, CA, July 8, 2024) In 2024, the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Over the years, it has had some great battles for the championship. However, the question to be raised is whether this season's point war is the best in series history. Fans can check into the fight for the crown this Saturday night, July 13th, when round #10 of the season takes place at Perris Auto Speedway. Joining USAC/CRA on Saturday will be the GAS Chassis Young Gun Sprint Cars, PAS Senior Sprint Cars, and the PASSCAR Super Stocks and American Factory Stocks. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m., and racing will begin at 7:00. Heading into Saturday's race, Tommy "Thunder" Malcolm, who began his racing career at Perris when he was in his early teens, is seeking his third straight USAC/CRA win. He rolled to the victory at the last race at The PAS on June 22nd and backed that up with a triumph at the newly reopened Santa Maria Raceway last Saturday night. The Yucaipa, California-based racer was dominant and led every lap in each race. In addition, in a series that has produced seven different winners in the first nine races, he is one of only two drivers who have more than one victory. He and Costa Mesa's Matt Mitchell have two wins apiece. His prowess in the last two races has propelled Malcolm, who drives a car owned by his stepdad Dino Napier, to reclaim the point lead. Coming into Saturday's race, he has a two-point advantage over longtime Laveen, Arizona driver RJ Johnson. However, those two veterans cannot rest on their laurels. The drivers ranked third through seventh, Austin Williams of Corona, his younger brother Logan Williams of Yorba Linda, San Diego's AJ Bender, leading rookie David Gasper of Santa Barbara, and Cody Williams of Norco, are all within 100 points of the lead duo. Like the impressive number of winners and the close points race through the first nine events, the lead in the standings has changed five times between four drivers. Johnson has led the standings after four races, and Malcolm has been on top of the heap three times. "It is shaping up as a great season," said Perris promoter Don Kazarian, whose track has been the series home venue since day one. "You have had several different winners and the points chase is tight. Hopefully, the title race stays tight and will come down to the final races in November. It is great for the series and for the fans." "Of the seven drivers within 100 points of each other at the top of the standings, all but one have been around Perris for a while," Kazarian continued. "All of the Williams brothers followed in their father's footsteps into sprint car racing and began their USAC/CRA careers at The PAS. The youngest of the three, Logan, was our first-ever PAS Young Guns champion. Before his days in USAC/CRA, AJ Bender raced alongside his older brother Bobby at The PAS with the California Lightning Sprints. Tommy Malcolm started his career with us in street stocks, and RJ Johnson was USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year in 2005. David Gasper started racing with USAC/CRA late last season and is a great addition to the show. He won his first-ever CRA main event at The PAS in March. Whichever one prevails will be a deserving champion." The USAC/CRA points battle is extremely close, but there are other great championship fights on Saturday's card. "The CRA points race is not the only tight one we have coming into this weekend," the longtime promoter said. "The PASSCAR Super Stocks and American Factory Stocks are having a phenomenal battle for the season-long championships. In the superstocks, Chuck Becker leads Billy Griffin by one point. Those two have been racing each other for over three decades. In the American Factory Stocks, the top four, David Uraine, David Stites, Ethan Kintop, and James Keller, are only separated by six points. Expect those guys to all be fired up for Saturday as they all want to take the title in their respective classes." The GAS Chassis Young Gun Sprints and PAS Senior Sprints will also be in action on Saturday. In the Young Guns, Brecken Guerrero of Westminster has a comfortable 59-point lead over Redlands racer Jake McKee. That also has him putting one hand on the brand-new GAS Chassis that will go to the champion at the end of the year. Riverside's Cody Deloy, Seth Dyer of Yucca Valley, and Apple Valley's Sean Rogers have also scored points in the class this season. All four have shown great potential and should be moving up to the USAC/CRA series in the not-too-distant future. In the senior sprints, Tustin's Bob Suchy has dominated the action so far and has a 64-point lead over Greg Badgwell of Yorba Linda. Badgwell snared his first PAS win three weeks ago. Adult tickets for Saturday's family fun show are $30.00. For seniors 65 and over it is $25.00. Kids ages 6 to 12 get in for only $5.00, and children five and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charges $10 for parking. Advance tickets for all Perris Auto Speedway shows are available 24 hours a day online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to buy tickets in advance, there will be plenty available at the ticket window every race night. The PAS is conveniently located on the freeway close Lake Perris Fairgrounds, home of the Southern California Fair, in nearby Riverside County. Take the 215 freeway. Exit at the Ramona Expressway and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. For directions online, the address to enter is 18700 Lake Perris Drive, and the zip code is 92571. To keep up with everything happening at The PAS, please visit the track's social media efforts on Facebook and Instagram and visit the website at perrisautospeedway.com. 2024 Perris Auto Speedway Schedule July 13th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior Sprints, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUNS SERIES, AND PASSCAR SUPER AND FACTORY STOCKS August 10th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION: DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS August 17th BROTHER BRETT CLASSIC AT THE CALIFORNIA RACER'S HALL OF FAME NIGHT, AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior Sprints, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUNS SERIES AND PASSCAR SUPER AND STREET STOCKS September 7th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION: DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS September 21st AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior Sprints, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUNS SERIES AND PASSCAR SUPER AND FACTORY STOCKS October 26th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION: DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS November 8th 27TH RUNNING OF THE OVAL NATIONALS Featuring AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR SPRINTS, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUN SERIES AND PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS November 9th 27TH RUNNING OF THE OVAL NATIONALS Featuring AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR SPRINTS, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUN SERIES - JERRY DODD CHAMPIONS NIGHT, PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. The PAS would like to thank all of its 2024 marketing partners. Avanti Doors and Windows - https://www.avantiwindow.com/ Budweiser- https://us.budweiser.com/ Chris's Hauling Ed Pink Racing Engines - edpink.com Flowdynamics - http://www.flowdynamicsonline.com/ GAS Chassis Heimark Distributors - https://heimark.com/ Hoosier Tire - https://www.hoosiertire.com/ Jugo Superfoods - https://jugobrands.com/ Living Waters Hospice - https://livingwatershospice.com/ LKQ Pick Your Part - https://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/ Marjon RV's - https://marjonrvs.com/ Mike's Produce Performance Online - https://www.performanceonline.com/ Premier Medical Transportation - https://pmtpremier.com/ Sunoco Race Fuels - https://www.sunocoracefuels.com/ Symbiosis - https://symbiosiscare.com/ Trench Shoring - https://www.trenchshoring.com/ Team Stites - https://teamstites.com/ Vista Paint - https://www.vistapaint.com/ Wind N Sea Towing - https://windnseatowing.com/ 4 Wheel Parts - https://www.4wheelparts.com/ For information on 2024 billboard advertising at The PAS, please call 951-940-0134 and ask for Charlie Watson. Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/ Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/ DVDs of all the PASSCAR/IMCA racing and Nights of Destruction at The PAS are available from Fourvideos. For more information call (714) 225-9500. mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment.
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING TAKING THREE CARS TO SANTA MARIA THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, July 4, 2024) Sexton Gatlin Racing will return to action this Saturday night with a three-car effort at the Santa Maria Speedway. Headlining the team will be Grant Sexton and his father, Brent, who will be competing in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. Flat-track motorcycle racer Braydin Collie will join them, driving the SGR #44 in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series portion of the exciting program. Grant comes into the night off his season-best USAC/CRA sixth-place finish on May 27th. He also won the Hard Charger on the same night, going from 16th on the start to finishing sixth. In the same race, Brent, 52, picked up five spots in the main, going from 18th to 13th. Going into Saturday's show at Santa Maria, Grant is 16th in points, and Brent is one spot and 14 points behind his youngest offspring. Sexton Gatlin Racing has appeared at Santa Maria numerous times over the past couple of decades. The last time was on August 6, 2022. On that night, Brent captured the California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event. SGR bookended that main event when Brent's oldest son, Dalton, subbed for Grant in the race. The older sibling pulled off the track after one lap and finished 15th. On the same night, Grant, who will celebrate his 20th birthday on July 16th, was making his second-ever start in the USAC/CRA Series. Flashing some of the talent that would take him to the 2023 Rookie of the Year, he impressively qualified 15th in the 31-car field. In his 10-lap heat race, he missed the transfer to the A main by two positions. That sent him to the B main where he was the show. On the opening circuit of the 12-lapper, he touched wheels with another car and bicycled towards the wall in turn three. He did not let up and gathered it back in. A few laps later, he was trying to pass the fifth-place car on the outside on the back chute. The car suddenly bolted right, clipped Grant, and sent him into the fence. Yet, the teen maintained his poise and did not lose a spot. However, running in the final transfer spot going into turn one on the last lap, he hit a big rut and spun out, ending a crowd-pleasing performance and his night of racing. Joining Sexton Gatlin Motorsports at Santa Maria will be Lakeside, California's Braydin Collie. The flat-track motorcycle racer will make his California Lightning Sprint Car Series debut on the 1/3-mile banked clay oval. For fans who want to see SGR in action on Saturday, the gates will open at 4:00 p.m. Qualifying will begin at 5:00 p.m., and the first race will start at 6:00. Adult tickets are $25.00. Seniors and military get in for $23.00. For kids 6-12, it is only $5.00, and children 5 and under are free. The track is located at 1900 Hutton Road in Nipomo. The track website is https://santamariaspeedway.net/. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 10th A Main 6/8/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main 6-22-24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 3rd A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- FRESH OFF VACATION, GRANT SEXTON GETS SEASON-BEST USAC/CRA SIXTH-PLACE FINISH AT PERRIS
(Lakeside, CA, June 28, 2024) Fresh off a nice vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Grant Sexton recorded his best Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series finish of the season when he placed sixth last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. The performance also earned the teen the Jeff and Chet Gardner Hard Charger Award. In addition, his father Brent, who had been on vacation at the river, tied his season-best series finish when he placed 13th in the same race. Grant, who will turn 20 on July 16th, qualified 16th on the hot night with a time of 18.360. Brent, a three-time lightning sprint car champion who is contesting his rookie season in USAC/CRA, timed in 19th best at 18.698. The father-son team competed in the same 10-lap heat race. Grant finished 6th, with his father one spot back in seventh. At the track that is located 75 miles east of Los Angeles and 75 miles north of San Diego, the temperature was over 100 degrees in the afternoon, and the wind was blowing. By the time the main event rolled around, the wind was still blowing, and the temperature was 80 degrees. Before the race started, the PAS crew worked the corners of the famous track. However, Mother Nature's wrath prevailed, and the track became dusty early on. Despite those conditions, Grant steered his brilliant white and hot pink Triple X Chassis #22 forward in the race. He was still moving forward on lap 20 when series officials red-flagged the event and deemed the race over. It ended with Grant in sixth. It was definitely the right call, but one has to wonder if he could have continued passing cars if the race had seen out its duration. For Grant, last year's USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, it was a relief to get his first top-10 series finish of the season. He moved up to 16th in the championship standings heading into the July 5 race at Santa Maria. Brent, who is contesting his first full season in the series, is one position behind in 17th. Joining Sexton Gatlin Motorsports at Santa Maria will be Lakeside, California's Braydin Collie. The flat rrack motorcycle racer will make his California Lightning Sprint Car Series debut on the 1/3-mile banked clay oval. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 10th A Main 6/8/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main 6-22-24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 3rd A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- DYER MOTORSPORTS BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY AND PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY RESULTS
(Yucca Valley, CA, June 27, 2024) After a tough weekend in the California Lightning Spring Car Series race at the Bakersfield Speedway, Jeff Dyer headed to Perris Auto Speedway for last Saturday night's Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series race. However, his night ended under a strange circumstance. Dyer and his son Seth will have this weekend off before returning to action on July 6th at the newly reopened Santa Maria Speedway. The prior week at Bakersfield, Jeff was in a strange ride. After he detonated an engine in the #4 car at Ventura, six-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz loaned him his backup car for the race at the "Okie Bowl." Seth, 17, was in his familiar #4JR. The teen, who presently owns family bragging rights in CLS, came into the event fourth in points. He was the seventh-fastest qualifier on the night with a lap of 15.937. Jeff, who was having some issues with his loner ride, timed in at 15.971. For the second weekend in a row, Seth won his heat race. Jeff was matched against his youngest offspring in the same race, and placed third, directly behind his car owner, Michnowicz. When the field rolled onto the racetrack for the main event at Bakersfield, Seth was on the pole for the second straight time. Due to his time in qualifying, Jeff started ninth. Seth sailed into the lead at the onset and set a blistering pace. Meanwhile, behind him, Jeff began putting on a show. Slicing and dicing his way from the back, he was in the top five on lap two. However, his night would come to a screeching halt on the third circuit when his engine, which was running too lean, slowed drastically, and he pulled into the infield. That saddled the California Highway Patrol officer with a frustrating 10th-place finish. With Jeff on the sidelines for the duration, it was up to Seth to fly the family flag. He did just that. Like his win at the Imperial Raceway last October, he simply ran away from the field. By the end of the fifth lap, he had about a 1/3 straightaway advantage over the second-place car. However, the runner-up started inching closer to him on lap seven. Going into turn one on the 10th circuit, Seth's car slowed dramatically and he coasted to a stop due to his engine dropping a valve. Instead of potentially bagging his initial win of the year, he ended up finishing ninth. Last Saturday at Perris, Jeff was running his 410 car in the USAC/CRA Series. Things did not start out the way he wanted when his car jumped out of gear on his first qualifying lap, and he pulled into the pits. By the time he rolled back into staging, three cars were ahead of him. He would have gotten both of his laps immediately if it had only been two. Thus, he was only given one lap. Driving with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding the car in gear, he ended up 21st with a time of 18.596 . Despite his qualifying time, Jeff placed fourth in his heat race and started 20th in the main. That is when the night unraveled. The temperature at the track in the afternoon was over 100 degrees, and the wind was blowing. The wind kept on blowing until after the main started, and the temperature was still in the low 80s. Conditions ended up being very dusty. While his car was good, as evidenced in his heat race and at the start of the main, Jeff decided to pull in after[i] 14 laps due to the conditions. He ended up finishing 19th. Dyer Motorsports gets this Saturday off but will return to action on July 6th at the Santa Maria Speedway. The show will include both the USAC/CRA Series and the California Lightning Sprints. Jeff will be racing the 410 with USAC/CRA for sure. He is confident that both of the lightning sprint car engines will be repaired and ready to go for the show. If only one is ready, it will go in Seth's car, as he is still ranked fourth in CLS points. The father-son duo from Yucca Valley, California last appeared at Santa Maria with the CLS on August 6th, 2022. Jeff finished 13th in the main, and Seth was one spot behind in 14th. Jeff's last appearance at the track with USAC/CRA was on July 3rd, 2021, and he placed 13th. In 2024, the following marketing partners will help keep the Dyers on track. Dependable Machine Inc., Haircuts By Susie, Jobu Racing, LBA Investigations, Straight Time Stirrups, Justice Brothers, Fonseca Racing, Specialty Fasteners, and Blud Racing Lubricants. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2024, call (760) 550-7237 or send an email to mailto:dyermotorsports4@gmail.com. Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2024 season. Jeff Dyer's 2024 Racing Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints DNS 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 3/9/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 17th A Main 5/4/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints DNS 5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 6/8/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 6/15/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main 6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main Seth Dyer's 2024 Racing Results 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway California Lightning Sprints 13th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main 5/4/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway Young Gun Sprint Cars 4th A Main 6/8/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 6/15/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 9th A Main Scott Daloisio produced this release. For more information: phone (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com.
- IN THE THICK OF THE USAC/CRA CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT, AJ BENDER HEADS TO PERRIS SATURDAY
(Perris, CA, June 20, 2024) The saying "Good things come to those who wait" seems to apply to AJ Bender's season in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. The San Diego, California resident not only won his first series event at Perris Auto Speedway on April 27th, but he also finds himself locked in a tight, early-season point battle for the USAC/CRA championship. Bender should be no stranger to longtime Southern California racing fans. After moving from Texas with his family when he was five or six years old, he and older brother Bobby eventually became regulars in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series. Both made big impressions as fast, very capable drivers and in 2008, AJ won the CLS Rookie of the Year award. After a few years in the CLS, Bender transitioned into the tough world of USAC/CRA 410 sprint car racing. He also had planned on competing in the newly created Perris Auto Speedway Young Gun Sprint Car Series (now known as the GAS Chassis Young Gun Series) when it debuted in 2013. At the time, the Young Guns series was for drivers 14-21 with no prior sprint car experience. Since he fell within the age range, he was also allowed to run with the Young Guns. That is, he was allowed to compete with the Young Guns in one race. At the 2013 season opener, Bender put such a whipping on the Young Guns field that a new rule was introduced. While there was no official name for the rule, it quickly became known as the "Bender Rule." That was due to how badly he whipped the competition. From that day forward, drivers with USAC/CRA experience were no longer eligible to compete in the Young Gun Series. That rule still stands today. "Yeah, I know about the rule," Bender laughed when reminded. "I was very bummed about the rule. It is hard to believe that was 11 years ago. In the seasons since his only Young Guns win, Bender, now 31, has honed his skill and has become a talented driver. While the majority of his racing has been confined to Perris, he has proved to be very adaptable at any track he competes on. His thrilling win in the sprint car portion at the 2021 Turkey Night Grand Prix at the Ventura Raceway put the fans on their feet at the end of the race. Over the last few years, he has also scored wins with the occasional ride in a lightning sprint car. The most recent one of those came while driving for Northern California's Brian Fonseca at the Ventura Raceway on May 11th. Any victory is nice, but one that eluded Bender was a win in the USAC/CRA Series. Considered the premiere traditional sprint car series west of the Mississippi, wins with the group are not easy to come by. Bender was aware of that, and despite a couple of heartbreaks, he never quit trying. He had not picked up a win through his first 118 starts in the West Coast group. That all changed on Saturday, April 27th, at Perris. Bender was not having a spectacular season through the year's first four races. All told, he had one top 10 finish. That came at the Cocopah Speedway on March 23rd when he placed fifth. In the other four races, he was 12th and 16th at Perris and 15th at the Mohave Valley Raceway. At the race on April 27th, he qualified ninth fastest and won his 10-lap heat race. That placed him on the pole for the main. Over the years, the pole at Perris has not produced a lot of winners. This night it would be different. In one of the best races at the track in recent years, Bender, driving the #21 DRC powered by a Shaver Engine and owned by his mom and dad, jumped into the lead, and set the pace for the first three circuits. The 30 lapper had seven lead changes, and Bender was engaged in every one of them. Performing flawlessly on the track's famous cushion, he reclaimed the lead for two laps on lap 11. He then led laps 14 through 19 and finally 21 through 30. Unlike many drivers who luck into their first win, this victory was anything but that. It was a hard-fought-for, well-earned triumph. "Absolutely, the feeling was through the roof," Bender exclaimed of his first USAC/CRA win. "A feeling of what I have been trying for has finally been accomplished. But I told my dad when we left for home that night to forget it and go on to the next one. We have a long season ahead of us." "Maybe when I was younger, not that I did not care, but I did not take the time to learn this stuff," the driver continued. "We have been with the CRA for a long time but we really never ran a full schedule. We pretty much only ran Perris. I feel like in the past four or five years I have done my homework. You know, taking the time to learn about the car and what I am feeling and what can make me go faster. I feel like a lot of my progression has been in the last four or five years. Kind of leading up to it (the first CRA win). I feel a lot of the time I have been close and I have had good cars. But it is racing and stuff happens." That win lit a fire under Bender. There have been two races since. The annual Salute to Indy at Perris on May 25th and the Golden Empire Clash at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway two weeks ago. The Dallas, Texas-born racer finished fifth and third in those races, respectively. The results have thrown him into the middle of a red hot championship race. The top six drivers are only 84 points apart. Bender is in the middle of the mix in third and is only seven points out of second. "That alone is really cool," he enthusiastically answered when asked how it felt being in third place. "Outside of when I ran the midget two years ago for a full season, I have never run a full season in a series in my racing career. This was kind of like a cool opportunity. This year, my dad said, 'let's try to run the full season.' I have always felt like I could be a good points racer because I feel like I am pretty consistent. On bad nights I try to come away with something out of it. It (being in the points race) makes me feel a little more confident and solidifies that I can do this. It is still a long season. Anything can happen. I try not to think about it too much, but it is hard not to think about it. It is cool to see your name on the stuff that they post." Not only is Bender in the thick of the points race but his mom and dad are as well. In the car owner points, they are second, only seven points back of the leader. "That is pretty cool," he responded about his parent's lofty position in the owner points. "Especially since they (USAC/CRA) are offering money and stuff for the entrants." Bender was responding from his parent's garage while working on the racecar for this Saturday's event at Perris. The friendly driver tries to work on the car a couple of days a week. It is hard to be there every night as he, his wife Tiffany, and daughter Reagan, who will soon turn five, live near downtown San Diego. The car is 45 minutes to an hour away in Ramona. Family time with his wife and daughter is a big priority. Between the family, work, and living quite a distance from most of his competitors, he does not spend a lot of time with them. "We don't hang out outside of racing, but we are all pretty cordial to each other," Bender said of his relationship with the other drivers. "That is nice. If they ask me something, I would not tell them a lie. I would tell them what is going on. It is kind of cool to be doing that with people you consider to be your friends. The racing community is kind of like your family. It is kind of nice not to have grudges or really dislike somebody. But at the same time, I wouldn't give them an inch." To see if AJ Bender can pick up his second win of the year at Perris on Saturday, the fun begins when the gates open at 5:00 p.m. The night's first race will start at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00. For seniors 65 and over, it is $25.00. Kids 6 to 12 get in for only $5.00, and children five and under are admitted free. The fairgrounds charges $10.00 for parking. Advance tickets are available 24 hours a day online at the following website https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7/event/1366776 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance, there will be plenty available for everyone at the ticket window on Saturday. Bender wished to thank Bender Pool & Spa, Matrix Construction Services, Keys Brothers Racing, Lawler's Towing, No Limit Powder Coating, and Brandit Designs for being marketing partners with him in the 2024 season. The PAS is conveniently located on the freeway close Lake Perris Fairgrounds, home of the Southern California Fair, in nearby Riverside County. Take the 215 freeway. Exit at the Ramona Expressway and go three miles east to the fairgrounds. For directions online, the address to enter is: 18700 Lake Perris Drive and the zip code is 92571. To keep up with everything happening at The PAS, please visit the track's social media efforts on Facebook and Instagram and visit the website at perrisautospeedway.com. 2024 Perris Auto Speedway Schedule June 22nd AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR SPRINTS, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUN SERIES AND PASSCAR STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS June 29th FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR AND SKY CONCERT" LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS THE FIRST 1,000 GUESTS WILL RECEIVE A FREE HOT DOG COUPON AND A FREE AMERICAN FLAG. July 13th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior Sprints, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUNS SERIES, AND PASSCAR SUPER AND FACTORY STOCKS August 10th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION: DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS August 17th BROTHER BRETT CLASSIC AT THE CALIFORNIA RACER'S HALL OF FAME NIGHT, AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior Sprints, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUNS SERIES AND PASSCAR SUPER AND STREET STOCKS September 7th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION: DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS September 21st AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS Senior Sprints, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUNS SERIES AND PASSCAR SUPER AND FACTORY STOCKS October 26th LKQ Pick Your Part Presents NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION: DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRAILER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS November 8th 27TH RUNNING OF THE OVAL NATIONALS Featuring AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR SPRINTS, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUN SERIES AND PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS November 9th 27TH RUNNING OF THE OVAL NATIONALS Featuring AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PAS SENIOR SPRINTS, GAS CHASSIS YOUNG GUN SERIES - JERRY DODD CHAMPIONS NIGHT, PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. The PAS would like to thank all of its 2024 marketing partners. Avanti Doors and Windows - https://www.avantiwindow.com/ Budweiser- https://us.budweiser.com/ Chris's Hauling Ed Pink Racing Engines - edpink.com Flowdynamics - http://www.flowdynamicsonline.com/ GAS Chassis Heimark Distributors - https://heimark.com/ Hoosier Tire - https://www.hoosiertire.com/ Jugo Superfoods - https://jugobrands.com/ Living Waters Hospice - https://livingwatershospice.com/ LKQ Pick Your Part - https://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/ Marjon RV's - https://marjonrvs.com/ Mike's Produce Performance Online - https://www.performanceonline.com/ Premier Medical Transportation - https://pmtpremier.com/ Sunoco Race Fuels - https://www.sunocoracefuels.com/ Symbiosis - https://symbiosiscare.com/ Trench Shoring - https://www.trenchshoring.com/ Team Stites - https://teamstites.com/ Vista Paint - https://www.vistapaint.com/ Wind N Sea Towing - https://windnseatowing.com/ 4 Wheel Parts - https://www.4wheelparts.com/ For information on 2024 billboard advertising at The PAS, please call 951-940-0134 and ask for Charlie Watson. Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/ Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/ DVDs of all the PASSCAR/IMCA racing and Nights of Destruction at The PAS are available from Fourvideos. For more information call (714) 225-9500. mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment.
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING RETURNS TO ACTION SATURDAY AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY
Brent is returning to action after working on his tan at the river. Grant spent his vacation In Puerto Vallarta. Despite missing the last two USAC/CRA races, both drivers are still ranked in the top 20 in points. Brent, a three-time lightning sprint car champion who is a rookie in the best traditional sprint car series west of the Mississippi, is currently 17th in the series championship standings. Grant, who captured the 2023 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year award, is 20th. Saturday will be the fourth appearance of the season for the beautiful Sexton Gatlin Racing #22 and #44 cars on the banked half-mile clay oval in Riverside County. Both drivers are hoping for better results than they achieved in the first three outings. For Brent, a 52-year-old who first raced at Perris over a quarter of a century ago, he has finished 13th, 15th, and 16th at the track this year. Grant, who will turn 20 in less than a month, has an 18th, 19th, and 21st. Brent's 13th at Perris was his best outing in the series in 2024. Grant's best USAC/CRA finish thus far in 2024 was an 11th at Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway on April 6th. During his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign, Grant had five top-10 finishes and one top-5. His best finish was fifth at Bakersfield Speedway on June 24th. In seven appearances at Perris last season, he had two top-10 results. The first of the two was in the prestigious Salute to Indy on Memorial Day weekend. He closed his Perris Auto Speedway season on November 11th when he finished eighth. Between the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints and PAS Senior Sprints, Brent started eight main events at Perris in 2023. His biggest successes came in the POWRi Series where he won April 15, placed second on May 27th, and sixth on November 11th. On June 10th of last year, he drove in both the USAC/CRA Series and the Seniors. He placed seventh in a shocking first appearance in the "Big Boy" USAC/CRA main. That came moments after he finished second in the Senior main. Spectator gates at Perris will open at 5:00 p.m., and racing will follow at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6-12, it is only $5, and children 5 and under are free. Advance tickets are available twenty-four hours a day online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7/event/1366776 or by calling 1-800-595-4849. The fairgrounds charge $10 for parking. The track is located on the freeway close Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris. The track website is http://perrisautospeedway.com/index.html and the office phone is (951) 940-0134. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 10th A Main 6/8/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 3rd A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- GRANT SEXTON TAKES SEVENTH IN USCS MAIN AT THE VENTURA RACEWAY, FATHER BRENT 14TH
(Lakeside, CA, June 7, 2024) After a slow start to the 2024 racing season, young Grant Sexton has been warming up like the spring weather. Last Saturday night at the Ventura Raceway, the teen placed seventh in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series, presented by Inland Rigging, 30-lap main event. That gave him three top-10 finishes, including two top-five, in his last three starts. His teammate and father Brent, who was debuting a brand new car, finished 14th in the 30-lapper. The father-and-son Sexton Gatlin Racing team made the 195-mile journey from its Lakeside, California headquarters to the 1/5-mile track located on the beach at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. It was Grant's first appearance at the track since last Thanksgiving and Brent's first competitive laps at the facility since a ninth-place finish in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series feature on October 26, 2019. Brent began the night by starting second and finishing fourth in his heat in the new AAA Chassis. One race later, Grant entered the battle zone for heat race #3. He began in second and scored a convincing win in the eight-lapper. Of the two, Grant had the choice starting position for the main, coming from the outside of the front row. Brent started midpack on the wide side of row six. Grant was second on the start, but a bobble in turn four on the first lap cost him dearly. He slipped all the way back to the fifth spot. Soon thereafter, a red flag waved due to a car getting into the wall and tipping over. In his best move of the night, Grant went to the inside and went from fifth to third in one corner on the first lap after the restart. In what was turning into a wild beginning, in the same spot where he passed two cars, Grant got sideways and was clobbered by another driver. The other racer stopped bringing out a yellow, and Grant dropped three spots to sixth. When the race restarted, Grant quickly worked his way up to fourth. Not too far behind, his father had skillfully worked his way to eighth. Several times, Grant challenged the third-place racer, but in the closing laps, he slipped back to seventh, where he was when the checkered flag ended the race. Brent also dropped in the closing laps and crossed the line in 14th. According to Brent on Wednesday, racing is a no-go for this week for Grant, who is vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Earlier in the week Brent was undecided if he would head to the Barona Speedway for the SoCal Lightning Series race. Two weeks ago, the 52-year-old outdistanced the SCLS field on the same San Diego oval for his first win of the 2024 season. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 14th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main 6/1/24 Ventura Raceway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 7th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- BRENT SEXTON WINS BARONA SCLS MAIN - RACING USCS SPRINTS AT VENTURA THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, May 30, 2024) Three-time lightning sprint car racing champion Brent Sexton posted his first victory of 2024 when he outdistanced the field in the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series main event last Saturday at the Barona Speedway. This Saturday night, June 1st, the veteran driver and his son, Grant, will be back in action in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series presented by Inland Rigging at the Ventura Raceway. Sexton, 52, was making his 13th start of the 2024 season. Switching back and fourth between his 360 sprint car and his lightning sprint, it was his fifth start in the smaller car this year. Once his home track, Saturday was his first appearance at Barona since he placed second in a POWRi Southwest race last July 8th. It was only his second time racing at the track since 2022. Making the short drive from his home in nearby Lakeside, Sexton was driving his familiar #44 on the San Diego County quarter-mile oval. It was one of only two races on the SCLS schedule in 2024 that cars would race without wings. That was no bother for Sexton who has raced wingless numerous times in lightning sprints over the years and now does in full-size sprint cars in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Series and USCS competition. Starting fourth in his eight-lap heat race, Sexton cut to the inside in the first bend on lap one and hijacked second place. On a track that was dry at that time of the evening, he stayed there for the duration. The second place run in his heat earned the likable Tennessee native the inside row two starting spot for the main. With the sun gone, the track was much racier than it was for the heats and much racier than it was for the first race of the year a couple of weeks earlier. That set up an exciting battle for the drivers and fans. Eager to perform, Sexton put on a show in the main event. He got a great start when the green flag began the race and was second going into turn one. He tried to knife his way into the lead in turn two, but that attempt was thwarted. What happened next was some of the best laps of lightning sprint car racing Barona fans have seen in years. Sexton and early leader Peter Benker put on a slider fest that saw the lead change hands five times from turn two on the second go-around until turn two on lap three. When Sexton took the lead on lap three, he led the remainder of the way. However, it was anything but easy. Benker fought him hard for several laps. Even though Sexton increased his advantage, Benker stayed within striking distance the entire way. One slip-up by Sexton could have cost him the race. Fortunately, he drove a near-perfect race for his initial win in 2024. This Saturday at Ventura, Sexton will be in a brand-new Triple X car. The last time he raced at Bakersfield was two weeks ago when he placed sixth in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event. On the same night, Grant, who was last season's USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, placed fifth in the USCS feature. Grant will enter this week's race 15th in the USCS championship standings. Spectator gates for the first USCS race at Ventura will open at 3:00 p.m., with racing at 5:30. Adult tickets are $22.00. Seniors 60 and over, military with ID, and students with an ID get in for $18.00. Children 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by an adult. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/, and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- GRANT AND BRENT SEXTON EACH RECORD TOP TENS AT BAKERSFIELD - SALUTE TO INDY AT PERRIS THIS SATURDAY
(Lakeside, CA, May 23, 2024) Sexton Gatlin Racing's father and son team of Brent and Grant Sexton each raced at the Bakersfield Speedway last Saturday night. Nineteen-year-old Grant finished fifth in round number two of the Ultimate Sprint Car Series presented by Inland Rigging. Brent placed sixth in the companion California Lightning Sprint car series main event. After a five-race slump that did not see him record one top-10 finish, Grant has two top-5 results in the last two weeks. The first came on May 11th, when he went from 13th to third in the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car main event at the Barona Speedway. Last Saturday at Bakersfield, he started 11th in the 30-lap USCS feature and impressively marched forward to his fifth-place finish. In his Bakersfield preliminaries, Grant qualified sixth fastest in the 20-car field and had a top three slip from his grasp when he got into the slick on the last bend of his heat race. For family patriarch Brent, who just returned from his birthday festivities, including a fly fishing trip to Montana and a week in Mexico, he only raced on the CLS side of the program. The veteran racer was in the process of putting together a new car to run in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Series and with the USCS. The three-time lightning sprint car champion began the night by qualifying sixth fastest in the 14-car CLS field. He then placed third in his heat race. In the CLS 20-lap main, the Tennessee native started fifth and ended up sixth. This week, the SGR drivers return to Perris for the 71st Salute to Indy. For the first time, Brent will compete in the race that began in 1948. During his Rookie of the Year season in USAC/CRA in 2023, Grant placed ninth in the Salute main event. Brent currently sits 15th in the USAC/CRA standings. He still holds bragging rights at the dinner table over Grant, who is five points behind in 16th. Through the first five races on the schedule, Brent's best finish in the series was a 13th at Perris on March 16th. Grant's best result was an 11th at Mohave Valley Raceway on April 6th. His best Perris finish was an 18th at the season opener on February 24th. For Saturday's Salute to Indy, spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m., and the first race will take the green flag at 7:00. Adult tickets for the night of exciting dirt track racing and clean family fun are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6-12, it is only $5.00, and children five and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are available online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7. They can also be ordered by phone at 1-800-595-4849. Plenty will be available at the ticket window on Saturday for fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main 5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main 5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway Ultimate Sprint Car Series 5th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- SEXTON GATLIN RACING APRIL 27th RESULTS - BAKERSFIELD UP NEXT ON MAY 18th
(Lakeside, CA, May 4, 2024) Sexton Gatlin Racing had a planned couple of weeks off from its 2024 racing schedule on May 4th and May 11th. After two straight tough weeks at the track, the father and son duo of Brent Sexton and his youngest son Grant could use the rest. They will return to action on May 18th when the Ultimate Sprint Car Series Presented by Inland Rigging makes its second appearance at the Bakersfield Speedway. Last Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway things began on the bright side when 19-year-old Grant sizzled in qualifying on the breezy evening with a time of 16.733. That was the seventh fastest of the 22 cars on hand. Brent's 17.658 was the 19th best time of the night. Heat race action matched the family duo together in the first 10-lapper. Grant, 19, was on the outside of the second row in the fourth position. Brent was two rows behind in seventh. When the Chris Fulton checkered flag ended the short race, Grant was sixth and Brent was seventh. That was very costly for Grant as it guaranteed him of not being in the invert for the first three rows of the main event. Grant, who came into the night tied for 15th in the championship standings with Brent, had a better starting spot than his dad in the 30-lap main. He was on the outside of row four. Brent was near the back on the inside of row 10. Grant, the previous season's USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, was doing well early on and was running in the top 10. However, it all unraveled for him in one fell swoop. In turn four on the 22nd lap, he ended up tangled with three other cars. The four-car incident produced enough damage to knock the teen out of the race with a frustrating 19th-place result. Grant's misfortune left Brent to fly the SGR flag for the remainder of the race. Unfortunately, the 51-year-old did not get much farther. However, his situation was a little more serious. The Tennessee native tangled with another car and flipped in turn four. Fortunately, he climbed out of his car unhurt. However, he had to add more to the list of replacement parts he and Grant will need before May 18th. The finishing order broke the tie between the two in the season-long standings. Brent is now alone in 15th on the data sheet. Grant is a mere five points behind. After the May 18th date at Bakersfield, Sexton Gatlin Racing will be back in action the following week when the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars contest one of the nation's longest-running sprint car races, the Annual Salute to Indy, on May 25th. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR SEXTON GATLIN RACING IN THE INAUGURAL USCS RACE AT BAKERSFIELD
(Lakeside, CA, April 26, 2024) The first-ever Ultimate Sprint Car Series race presented by Inland Rigging last Saturday night at the Bakersfield Speedway proved to be a tough one for Sexton Gatlin Racing drivers Brent Sexton and his son Grant as both did not finish the 30-lap main event. On the brighter side, Brent, a two-time California Lightning Sprint Car Series champion, placed sixth in the CLS main. After qualifying concluded, 19-year-old Grant was second fastest in his group and third fastest of the 28 cars who turned in laps on the 1/3 mile track. Brent was matched against Grant in group #1 and was eighth fastest. Being in the same group meant they would also square off in the first heat race of the night. Grant started fourth in the 10-lapper and Brent began in seventh. Grant advanced one spot forward to finish third. That earned him a direct transfer into the A main. Brent finished right where he started and had to take a trip to the B main. The B main ended up being flagged early with Brent in third place. He got a ticket to the 30-lapper but unbeknownst to him at the time, he was not going to get a lot of feature laps in. Early in the going, he slammed the front stretch wall and tore the rear end out of the #44. He was credited with 25th. Grant's fate in the main seemed a lot better. The 2023 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year began the race in 10th but drove forward to the fourth-place spot. In the tight race between the top four, the youngster was all over the second and third-place cars. However, they were mired in heavy-lapped traffic. The odds of trouble with the lappers grew with each passing go around but the laps were dwindling fast. Unfortunately, not fast enough. Going into turn three on lap 28, the second-place car got into a lapper. The third-place car had nowhere to go and plowed into what was quickly turning into a mess. Then the accordion effect swept up Grant and one other car. That tangle proved to be the end of the line for Grant on the night. A top-four finish flew out the window with the crash and he ended up 16th. Not long after the USCS main, Brent started eighth in the 25-lap California Lightning Sprint feature and closed the night with a refreshing sixth-place result. This Saturday, the father and son team will be in action at Perris Auto Speedway in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car race. Ironically, they are tied for 15th place in the championship standings. In addition, Brent is currently second in the series Rookie of the Year race. For fans who would like to see the Sexton's racing at Perris, spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and the first race will take the green flag at 7:00. Adult tickets for the night of exciting dirt track racing action and clean family fun are $30.00. Seniors 65 and over get in for $25.00. For kids 6-12 it is only $5.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are available online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/pas/7. They can also be ordered by phone at 1-800-595-4849. For fans who do not wish to purchase tickets in advance, there will be plenty available at the ticket window. The track is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds at 18700 Lake Perris Drive in the City of Perris. The fairgrounds charge $10.00 for parking. After Saturday's race at Perris, the team will take two weeks off from the track. Brent, who is about to celebrate birthday #52, is jumping on a plane on Sunday morning and heading for a fly fishing expedition in Montana. Once he returns, he is headed for several days in Mexico. Up next on the team's racing schedule will be the USCS race at Bakersfield on May 11th. Two weeks later it will return to Perris Auto Speedway for the Salute to Indy on May 25th. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main 3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main Grant Sexton 2024 Results 2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main 3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main 3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main 3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main 4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
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