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“Shugah” Shane Sexton Bests SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars at Barona

El Cajon, CA — “Shugah” Shane Sexton made a triumphant return to action with the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series (SCLS), dominating from start to finish in the 20-lap main event last Saturday night at Barona Speedway. It was his first SCLS appearance of 2025 and capped a strong recent run that includes a win and two second-place finishes in his last three series starts dating back to 2024.

The A main lineup featured San Diego’s Landon Dalton on the pole, with Sexton, from Warner Springs, starting alongside. Lakeside’s David Taft and Alpine’s Peter Benker filled row two, followed by Ramona’s Darren Brent and young gun Cody Benker in row three. Row four included Michael Tobiason (Ramona) and Jason Arnolde (San Diego), while El Cajon’s Kelly Weitzel and Alpine’s Tyler Warner lined up in row five.

When the green flag flew, Sexton surged to the early lead, setting a blistering pace and was being chased by Taft, Peter Benker and Dalton at the end of the opening circuit. He stretched his advantage to eight car lengths by lap two, a half-straight by lap six, and began navigating lapped traffic by the eighth circuit.

While Sexton built his lead, Taft and Peter Benker waged a fierce battle for second. Benker repeatedly pressured Taft in the first half of the race, but Taft—who won an SCLS main at Barona exactly a year ago—fended him off each time.

The race was briefly halted at the halfway point when Warner pulled to the infield, leaving a trail of oil and debris in turns three and four. After the cleanup, Sexton led the restart with Taft, Peter Benker, Dalton, and Cody Benker in hot pursuit.

Once racing resumed, Peter Benker continued his relentless pressure on Taft, diving low in turn one, but Taft refused to give up the spot. At the front, Sexton began pulling away again—until lap 12, when Taft mounted a serious challenge, narrowing the gap and attempting to poke his nose ahead in turn one. However, Sexton was equal to the challenge and maintained his lofty position at the front of the pack.

The pressure continued when Taft came calling again on lap 16, but hopes of a late-race duel ended on lap 19. Exiting turn two, Taft drifted high and brushed the wall. Though he continued, the slip allowed Sexton to break away and cruise to the victory, leading all 20 laps.

At the checkered flag, it was Sexton, in the Gas Chassis/Mike Pridgeon Race Engines/Savage Racing/Elite Powder Coating/2020 GSXR 1000 #74, with a comfortable margin over Taft. Peter Benker, Dalton, and Cody Benker completed the top five. Arnolde advanced from eighth to sixth and was named the race’s Hard Charger.

“We were worried the car would not handle with the new power,” the happy winner said. “When we had the old motor in it, I don’t know if it was a lack of power or what, but it would not get sideways. It was just like driving a pavement car. I never had to lift at any point of the night. We were worried with the new power, it would not drive as well, and it actually drove better.”

Before the main, the SCLS contested two eight-lap heats. Peter Benker captured the first heat ahead of Brent and Cody Benker. Taft won the second heat over Dalton and Sexton.

The race for the championship is a family affair up front. Father and son Peter and Cody Benker occupy the top two spots, with Peter holding a 12-point lead over his offspring. Dalton is third, only 20 points out of first. Dalton is fourth, and Arnolde, a past Rookie of the Year in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series, is fifth.

The SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to Barona on July 19. That event will serve as a key warm-up for the SoCal Summer Showdown set for August 1–2.

June 7 Barona Speedway 20-Lap Main Event (With Starting Positions)

1. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA … 2^nd

2. David Taft, Lakeside, CA … 3^rd

3. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 4^th

4. Landon Dalton, San Diego, CA … 1^st

5. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 6^th

6. Jason Arnolde, San Diego, CA … 8^th

7. Darren Brent, Ramona, CA … 5^th

8. Kelly Weitzel, El Cajon, CA … 9^th

9. Michael Tobiason, Ramona, CA … 7^th

10. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … 10^th

Heat #1 (8 Laps): 1. P. Benker, 2. Brent, 3. C. Benker, 4. Warner, 5. Weitzel

Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Taft, 2. Dalton, 3. Sexton, 4. Tobiason, 5. Arnolde

SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series Points

1. Peter Benker … 320

2. Cody Benker … 308

3. Landon Dalton … 300

4. Tyler Warner … 256

5. Jason Arnolde … 238

6. Jeff Dyer … 190

7. Parker Dumas … 184

8. Deejay Dumas … 166

9. Ryan Dumas … 158

9. Chase Wilson … 158

Official SCLS shirts and caps are now available for purchase at the track or online via the SCLS website or their Facebook page.

The SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank the following marketing partners for participating in the inaugural season. AG Sandcars, Triple X Race Cars, American Racer Tires, Outhouse Coffee, and Cakes By Kim/Betty Crocker's Pit Stop. If you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with SCLS, contact Dustin Dumas at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

SCLS President Dustin Dumas is also the proprietor of AG Sandcars. He sells and builds lightning sprints and is a supplier of Triple X Cars, American Racer Tires, and racing components. Anyone interested in racing lightning sprints can contact him at (619) 992-8308 or mailto:info@socallightningsprints.com.

2025 SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule and Winners

3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway (Winged) - Parker Dumas

3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway (Winged) - Parker Dumas

4/26/25 Barona Speedway (Winged) – Rained Out

5/10/25 Barona Speedway (Non Wing) – Jeff Dyer

6/7/25 Barona Speedway (Winged) – Shane Sexton

RESCHEDULED: High Limit Returns to Lawrenceburg on Wednesday, September 17 for Driven2SaveLives Battle at the 'Burg

POSTPONED: Storms Push Rayce Rudeen Foundation Race at 141 Speedway to Thursday, June 5