KENYON MIDGETS AND OTHER RACING SERIES RACE RESULTS AND NEWS AND NOTESNEWS AND NOTES

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KENYON MIDGET SERIES CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES  500 SPRINT CAR tour


  500 SPRINT CAR SERIES  

 the 500 Sprint Car Tour features non-wing pavement sprint cars. These unique open-wheel race cars with extreme horsepower produce high-speed, side-by-side racing.

www.500sprintcartour.com


 


Kody Swanson 33rd Little 500 Entry

 

Jack Kessler

A full field of 33 is set to qualify for the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW as Kody Swanson becomes the 33rd entrant into the event. The Little 500 has traditionally started with 33 non wing pavement sprint cars lined up in 11 rows of three. With Swanson’s entry, fans are guaranteed to see this tradition continue for a 75th time.


 

Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, California) is a three time Little 500 champion with victories coming in 2016, 2018, and 2019. In addition to his three victories, Swanson is also a three time pole sitter having won the pole position in three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. If Swanson qualifies on pole position again in 2023, he will move into a second place tie with Tom Cherry on the list of most pole positions. Dave Steele and Frank Riddle currently sit atop the list with five pole positions each.


 

Swanson also comes into the week of Little 500 having been crowned the Inaugural Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Part Stores 500 Sprint Car Tour Series Champion in 2022. The 500 Sprint Car Tour, a non-wing pavement sprint car series touring the midwest, co-sanctions the Little 500 with the United States Speed Association (USSA). Swanson won two events on the 500 Sprint Car Tour schedule in 2023 with one of those victories coming at Anderson’s famed ¼ mile oval in the Inaugural Gene Nolen Classic. The victory brought on an emotional celebration for Swanson as two of his three Little 500 victories came under the Nolen Racing banner. Swanson now enters his third year racing with Doran Enterprises (Doran Binks Racing in 2023) and the team looks to build on the momentum generated from last year’s championship run.


 

Swanson will be one of four former Little 500 winners entered into this year’s event. Jeff Bloom enters the 2023 Little 500 tied with Kody Swanson with three victories while Tyler Roahrig enters with two victories and Bobby Santos III with a single victory in 2020. Swanson will attempt to cement his name in history as only the fourth driver to have four or more Little 500 victories. Swanson would tie Tom Cherry with the third most victories at four apiece while Bob Frey sits in second place with five victories and Eric Gordon stands alone with an unprecedented nine Little 500 wins.


 

The 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW is set to be run on Saturday, May 27th at 8:00pm. Practice for teams begins on Wednesday, May 24 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. CB Fabricating Pole Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 25 from 11:30am – 3:30pm. Final practice and Bump Day is set for Friday, May 26 from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Grandstand admission is free for fans Wednesday through Friday and race day tickets are reserved seating only and are $45 each. Tickets for the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (765) 642-0206 ex. 121 or by stopping by the ticket office. Fans can also stream the event live via MAVTV on Floracing by clicking here to subscribe or stream.

 

  KENYON MIDGET SERIES 


 


 

  CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES 

www.racecls.com


BOBBY MICHNOWICZ WINS HIS SECOND CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR MAIN EVENT IN A ROW

(Torrance, CA, May 23, 2023) The hottest lightning sprint car racer in the nation, Bobby Michnowicz, continued his impressive season last Saturday night when he won the California Lightning Sprint Car/POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car “Best of the West” main event at Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway.  The win was his second in a row and allowed him to extend his lead in both the CLS and the “Best of the West” series.

Michnowicz is off to one of – if not the – best starts in his long racing career.  In addition to his two wins, the 59-year-old has three second-place finishes and a third in the first six races of the year.  His early-season prowess contrasts the horrendous start he had in 2022.  It has given him a launch toward his sixth CLS title and his first since 2017.

The only thing Oak Hills resident Michnowicz did not win on the night was qualifying.  That honor went to 2022 CLS Rookie of the Year Connor Speir.  The Fillmore-based racer toured “The West’s Fastest 1/3 Mile High Banked Clay Oval,” in 13.410.  Always fast Eric Greco of Palmdale timed in second at 13.450.  Three-time CLS champion Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley, driving a team car to Michnowicz, was third quickest at 13.476.  Michnowicz was fourth at 13.488.  “Shugah” Shane Sexton of Warner Springs drove Mike Schweitzer’s #41 to the fifth-best time when he stopped the clocks at 13.568.

Pole sitter “Rockstar” Jon Robertson of Torrance won Racing Junk Heat #1 over Camarillo’s Cody Nigh and Kramer.  In Extreme Muffler’s Heat #2, Michnowicz came from fifth to win the eight-lapper over Lakeside’s Cody Griggs and Yucca Valley’s Jeff Dyer.

The last order of business before the main event was the six-car, six-lap dash that would determine the starting positions for the first three rows in the 25-lapper.  That matched Nigh, Michnowicz, Dyer, Kramer, Lakeside’s Aiden Lange, and second-year CLS driver Seth Dyer of Yucca Valley.  Nigh won the dash from the pole with his uncle, Michnowicz, who came from sixth, placing second.  They would make up row one for the main.  Jeff Dyer and Lange finished third and fourth putting them in row two for the 25-lapper.  Kramer and Seth Dyer were fifth and sixth meaning they would be coming from the third row.

When the  Green flag waved to send the field on its way, Nigh edged Michnowicz into turn one, but he was not in the top spot for long.  Coming off turn two, Michnowicz raced past his nephew for the lead.  The driver with the best start at the green flag was Kramer.  When the second-row starters left the inside open in the first bend, Kramer alertly dove under them and advanced two spots to third. By the end of the second lap, Michnowicz had about a 1/3 straightaway advantage over Nigh. 

As Michnowicz pulled away from Nigh and Nigh did likewise to Kramer, Dyer went to what looked like a nonexistent outside near the end of lap 2. The California Highway Patrol officer stayed on the wide line and somehow made it work on lap four when he drove around Lange for fourth.  At that point, everyone was running the bottom and it looked as though passing was going to be at a premium. 

By Lap 10, Michnowicz was almost a half straight ahead of Nigh.  Despite Dyer challenging him one time, Kramer was still comfortably in third.  Dyer and Lange, who started on the front row at Ventura the week before, were fourth and fifth. 

Michnowicz, in the T Shirts By Timeless/Super Shox/Pflum & Wagner/Outlaw Wings/Fabozi Metal Works/Bondio Fab/Fast Time Studios/TJ Forged/DLX/Kawasaki ZX10 #21K, finally hit some heavier lapped traffic on lap 14.  But like he has done in his lengthy career, he began speeding through it.  The only real action in the top five at that point was Dyer closing back in on Kramer.  Those two eventually swapped spots with Dyer assuming third.  By that time, Michnowicz and Nigh were both racing in a different area code. 

Something on the strange side began to happen on lap 19.  It looked like Nigh was inching closer to the leader.  By lap 21 he had significantly closed the gap and was coming fast. Going into turn one on lap 24, Nigh had caught the wily veteran out front and took a gander at a wider line in turn one, but there was not a lot there and Michnowicz beat him down the back chute and into turn three.  Nigh closed back in going into three and kept it a little bit wide.  However, he came off four and momentarily slipped and that allowed Michnowicz to put some extra distance between himself and his nephew.  The added space proved to be too much for Nigh to make up and Michnowicz posted his second straight victory.  Dyer, Kramer, and Lange followed the lead duo and rounded out the top five.

Greco received the Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger Award coming from 12th to finish seventh.

Michnowicz increased his lead in both the CLS season long standings and in the “Best of the West” series.  He now leads Greco by 104 points in the CLS.  Dyer, Robertson, and San Diego’s AJ Bender rounded out the top five.  The top three are the same in the “Best of the West” series.  There, Michnowicz has a 52-point advantage over Greco.  Dyer is third with Brent Sexton of Lakeside fourth.  Speir is fifth.  Round #5 of that series will be at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway on June 17. 

After a week off, the CLS will join forces with the Bay Cities Racing Association as they renew their battle in the annual “Civil War Series” on June 3rd at Bakersfield.

The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023.  Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, RacingJunk.com, Advanced Racing Suspension, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, EZ Up, RC Fuel Injection, and Triple X.  If you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please contact Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. 

To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints

May 20th Bakersfield Speedway Results

Qualifying: 1. Connor Speir, 13.410, 2. Eric Greco, 13.450, 3. Jarrett Kramer, 13.476, 4. Bobby Michnowicz, 13.488, 5. Shane Sexton, 13,568, 6. Jeff Dyer, 13.698, 7. Aiden Lange, 13.734, 8. Seth Dyer, 13.735, 9. Cody Nigh, 13.815, 10. Leland Day, 13.869, 11. Jon Robertson, 14.050, 12. Cody Griggs, 14.054, 13. Clay Byers, 17.745, 14. Pat Kelley, 19.857, 15. Ken Colston, NT

Racing Junk Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Robertson, 2. Nigh, 3. Kramer, 4. Lange, 5. Coulston,  6. Speir, 7. Sexton, 8. Byers

Extreme Mufflers Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Michnowicz, 2. Griggs, 3. Jeff Dyer, 4. Day, 5. Seth Dyer, 6. Kelley, 7. Greco

Dash (6 Laps): 1. Nigh, 2. Michnowicz, 3. Jeff Dyer, 4. Lange, 5. Kramer, 6. Seth Dyer

Main Event (25 Laps) With Starting Positions and Time Behind

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA (2nd)

2. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA (1st) …  - 0.716

3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (3rd)  … - 1.365

4. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA (5th)  … - 2.078

5. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA (4th) …  - 4.350

6. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA (7th) …  -  7.757

7. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA (12th) …  - 8.397

8. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA (9th) …  - 11.670

9. Connor Speir, Bakersfield, CA, (11th) … - 12.366

10. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA (13th) …  - 13.496

11. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (6th) …  - 1 Lap

12. Leland Day, Bakersfield CA (8th) …  - 3 Laps

13. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA (14th) … - 4 Laps

14 Ken Coulston, (10th) …  - 10 Laps

DNS Clay Byers

Lap Leader: Bobby Michnowicz 1-25

 

CLS May 13th Contingency Awards

Racing Junk Heat Race #1 – Jon Robertson

Extreme Muffler Heat Race #2 $50.00 Certificate – Bobby Michnowicz

BR Motorsports Main Event 2nd Place Finisher $25.00 Certificate – Cody Nigh

King Motorsports Main Event 5th Place Finisher $25.00 Certificate – Aiden Lange

Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger $50.00 Certificate –  Eric Greco

 

CLS Seasonal Contingency Awards

CLS Membership – Extreme Muffler 10% Off Purchase

CLS Membership – EZ Up 30%-40% Off Purchase

CLS Membership – RC Fuel Injection 50% Off All Race Products and Service to All Race Series Participants

2023 Champion – Triple X Race Components $500.00 Off Any Chassis or Chassis Kit

 

2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings  

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA … 796

2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA …  692

3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 594

4. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 569

5. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 533

6. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA … 482

7. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA … 477

8. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 459

9. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 388

10. Aiden Lange, Lakeside, CA … 358

 

2023 CLS vs SWLS  Best of the West Standings

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 526

1. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS …  474

3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 403

4. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA. SWLS … 388

5. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 367

6. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 360

7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 342

8. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 308

9. Cody Griggs, Lakeside, CA, SWLS … 299

10. Robbie Brockman, El Cajon, CA, SWL … 280 

 


BOBBY MICHNOWICZ WINS HIS FIRST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE OF 2023

(Torrance, CA, May 17, 2023) Through the first four races of 2023, five-time California Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Bobby Michnowicz got off to a phenomenal start with three second-place finishes and a third.  Last Saturday night at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway, the wily veteran nabbed his first win of the year and extended his lead to 69 points in the championship standings.  This Saturday night, the CLS joins forces with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Cars for round #4 of the “Best of the West Series” at Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway.

Ventura winner Bobby Michnowicz surrounded by second-place finisher AJ Bender (right) and third

place finisher Eric Greco.  CLS photo.
 


 

Twelve CLS cars showed up at the famous track located on the beach 68 miles north of Los Angeles.  San Diego’s AJ Bender, who leads the series with two victories in 2023, kicked off the show in qualifying with a time of 12.241.  That was the quickest time of the night.  Oak Hills resident Michnowicz was second fastest at 12.255 and 2022 Rookie of the Year Connor Speir of Fillmore was third at 12.288.

Palmdale’s Eric Greco, who came into the night second to Michnowicz in the point standings, beat Yucca Valley’s Jeff Dyer and Bender to the checkers in the eight-lap Racing Junk Heat #1 and pocketed $50.00 from Kittle Motorsports.  Ventura local Cody Nigh of Camarillo captured Extreme Mufflers Heat #2 and not only received a $50.00 certificate from Extreme but also another $50.00 from Kittle Motorsports.   Lakeside’s Aiden Lange and three-time series champion Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley followed Greco across the line.

Dyer was on the pole for the 25-lap main with Lange alongside.   The second row featured Bender and Michnowicz with Kramer and Speir making up row three.  With the fog rolling over the track as it does on the Fairlie Moors in Scotland, Dyer beat Lange to turn one at the start of the 25-lapper and immediately began to build a lead.  Bender was in third at the start.  However, in the early days of the main, he went wide coming off turn four and opened the door for Michnowicz to race by. 

Dyer’s #4 was clearly the fastest car on the track and he pulled away from Lange.  By lap five, the California Highway Patrol officer was speeding past lapped traffic.  Lange, coming off a third-place finish in his only previous start of the year, was doing a good job of holding down second.  However, on lap seven he slowed and rolled to a stop on the inside of the front straight.  That brought out the first yellow flag of the race and it meant that Dyer’s massive advantage would be gone for the restart.

As the field was re-assembling for the restart, Lange was getting a push to get back in the race, but his #13 would not fire and he was done for the night. 

For the restart, Dyer was the leader of the pack. Michnowicz was starting in second with Bender, Kramer, and Greco rounding out the top five.  Once the Chris Kornder green waved to get the action back underway on the hooked-up track, Dyer pulled away again. Michnowicz stood second with Bender third.

Dyer was back into lapped traffic within five laps and soon after had a full straightaway lead.  He seemed headed for a certain win, but on the same track where he had his heart broken before, disaster struck again.  The race-long leader slowed dramatically on lap 17 due to a broken injector wire.  Michnowicz, like a shark smelling blood in the nearby Pacific Ocean, spared no mercy on his friend and flew by for the lead. 

Once out front, Michnowicz, in his familiar T Shirts By Timeless/Super Shox/Pflum & Wagner/Outlaw Wings/Fabozi Metal Works/Bondio Fab/Fast Time Studios/TJ Forged/DLX/Kawasaki ZX10 #21K, held a comfortable lead and was sniffing out the checkered flag.  However, with two laps remaining, cars tangled in turn two bringing out the second and final yellow flag of the race.  That meant the race would be settled in a green, white, checkered finish.

Michnowicz was racing for over a quarter of a century before Bender was born.  But Bender paid no attention to that on the restart. He was in it to win it and he tried his best when the green lights came back on.  Getting a good run on the outside heading into turn one, he tried to drive around the longtime racing star.  It was a valiant effort, but Michnowicz put the icing on the cake with a nice exit off turn two and led the final lap and a half for his first win of the year.  When the checkers flew he was nearly a half straight ahead of second-place finisher Bender.  Greco, who was trying to race under Bender at the finish, placed third with Kramer and Nigh rounding out the top five.

Greco’s four-place advancement in the main netted him the main event Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger Award.

Going into this week’s race at Bakersfield, Michnowicz carries a 69-point lead in the CLS point standings over Greco.  Bender is third with Dyer and Robertson rounding out the top five.  In the “Best of the West Series,” Michnowicz and Lakeside’s Brent Sexton are tied for the lead with 388 points.  Greco is third and only trails the co-leaders by 17 points.  Dyer and El Cajon’s Robby Brockman are tied for fourth.   

Modifieds, Sportmods, and American Stocks will join the Lightning Sprints Saturday at Bakersfield.  Adult tickets are $20.00.  Seniors 65+ and military get in for $18.00.  For kids 6-12 it is just $10.00 and children 5 and under are free.  Parking is free.     The track is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext., in Bakersfield (93308).  The track website is http://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (661) 393-3373.   

The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023.  Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, RacingJunk.com, Advanced Racing Suspension, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, EZ Up, RC Fuel Injection, and Triple X.  If you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please contact Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. 

To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints

May 13th Ventura Raceway Results

Qualifying: 1. AJ Bender, 12.241, 2. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.255, 3. Connor Speir, 12.288, 4. Aiden Lange, 12.316, 5. Jeff Dyer, 12.345, 6. Jarrett Kramer, 12.360, 7. Eric Greco, 12.371, 8. Cody Nigh, 12.437, 9. Jon Robertson, 12.789, 11. Pat Kelley, 14.142, 12. Dale Gamer, NT

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Greco, 2. Jeff Dyer, 3. Bender, 4. Speir, 5. Seth Dyer, 6. Kelley

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Nigh, 2. Lange, 3. Kramer, 4. Michnowicz, 5. Robertson, 6. Kramer

Main Event (25 Laps) With Starting Positions and Time Behind

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA (4th)

2. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA (3rd) … -1.122

3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA (7th) … - 1.314

4. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA (5th) … - 2.030

5. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA (8th) … - 2.810

6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA (6th) … - 3.006

7. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA (10th) … - 3.835

8. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (9th) … - 1 Lap

9. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, (11th) … - 3 Laps

10. Dale Gamer, Anaheim, CA (12th) … - 3 Laps

11. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (1st) … - 8 Laps

12. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA (2nd) … - 18 Laps

 

CLS May 13th Contingency Awards

Racing Junk Heat Race #1 – Eric Greco

Extreme Muffler Heat Race #2 $50.00 Certificate – Cody Nigh

BR Motorsports Main Event 2nd Place Finisher $25.00 Certificate – AJ Bender

King Motorsports Main Event 5th Place Finisher $25.00 Certificate – Cody Nigh

Advanced Racing Suspension Hard Charger $50.00 Certificate – Eric Greco

 

CLS Seasonal Contingency Awards

CLS Membership – Extreme Muffler 10% Off Purchase

CLS Membership – EZ Up 30%-40% Off Purchase

CLS Membership – RC Fuel Injection 50% Off All Race Products and Service to All Race Series Participants

2023 Champion – Triple X Race Components $500.00 Off Any Chassis or Chassis Kit

 

2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings  

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA … 658

2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA …  589

3. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 533

4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley … 471

5. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 463

6. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA … 414

7. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 388

8. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA … 381

9. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 379

10. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 260

 

2023 CLS vs SWLS  Best of the West Standings

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 388

1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS …  388

3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 371

4. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA. SWLS … 280

4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 280

6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 271

7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 262

8. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 261

9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 254

10. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 240 

 


CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS AT VENTURA SATURDAY WITH NEW SPONSORS AND SCHEDULE UPDATE

 

 

(Torrance, CA, May 9, 2023) After a month off in the schedule, the California Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to action this Saturday, May 13th, when it makes the first of six 2023 appearances at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway.  While the CLS has been idle since AJ Bender outdistanced the competition at the last race on April 8th at the Bakersfield Speedway, things behind the scenes have been busy with a race added to the “Best of the West Series” and a pair of new sponsors have come on board.

Despite not winning a main yet this season, five-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz heads the CLS point standings going into this week’s tussle at Ventura.  While he has not won in 2023, the Oak Hills, California resident has three second-place finishes and a third in the first four races of the year.  That has allowed the 59-year-old veteran to establish a 59-point lead over Palmdale’s Eric Greco heading into Saturday’s race.  San Diegan Bender sits third with 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion Brent Sexton of Lakeside currently fourth.  California Highway Patrol officer Jeff Dyer of Yucca Valley rounds out the top five.  “Rockstar” Jon Robertson of Torrance, Chino’s Pat Kelley, Dyer’s son Seth of Yucca Valley, El Cajon’s Robby Brockman, and 2022 CLS Rookie of the Year Connor Speir of Fillmore round out the top 10.  All but Sexton and Brockman are expected to be on hand on Saturday. 

Through the first four races of 2023, only one driver, Bender, has more than one win this year.  He has victories at the Imperial Valley Raceway and the Bakersfield Speedway.  He will be back in Mike Schweitzer’s #41 on Saturday.  Longtime veteran Sexton and teenage sensation Braden Chiaramonte have won the other two races.

Last season the CLS raced at the eye-catching 1/5 mile track that is located on the beach at Ventura seven times.  Santa Barbara’s David Gasper, the two times series champion who is now racing in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car and Midgets Series’, won four of the seven.  Michnowicz snared two victories on the “Commotion By The Ocean” and Greco triumphed there once.

The CLS and POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints have announced that the June 17th show at Ventura will now be round #5 of the “Best of the West” series.  As well as that announcement, officials have revealed that the July 22nd race at Ventura has been canceled due to another event on the fairgrounds.  However, the clubs and Ventura promoter Jim Naylor are looking for an alternative date to reschedule the race.

The CLS is pleased to announce that new sponsors King Racing Products and BR Motorsports have come on board for the 2023 season.  They join Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, RacingJunk.com, and Advanced Racing Suspension as supporters of the club. If you or your company would like to be a marketing partner with the CLS, please get in touch with Jon Robertson using the contact information at the top of this release. 

In addition to the CLS, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars, VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Sport Compacts, and VRA Junior Classes will all be in action on Saturday.  Spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first race will be at 5:30.  Adult tickets are $22.00.  Seniors 60 and over, military members, and students with ID get in for $18.00.  Children 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by a paid 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. 

 

After Saturday’s battle on the beach, the CLS will return to action on Saturday, June 3rd, at Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway. In addition to being a full points-paying race for the club, it will be round number one of the annual “Civil War Series” pitting the CLS versus Northern California’s Bay Cities Racing Association.

The following companies are marketing partners with the CLS in 2023.  Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, RacingJunk.com, Advanced Racing Suspension, King Racing Products, and BR Motorsports. 

To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints

 

2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA … 522

2. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA …  463

3. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … 399

4. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 388

5. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 384

6. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 365

7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA … 328

8. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 285

9. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA … 280

10. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA … 271

 

2023 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings and Best of the West Standings

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA, CLS … 388

1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA, SWLS …  388

3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, CLS … 371

4. Robby Brockman, El Cajon, CA. SWLS … 280

4. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 280

6. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, CLS … 271

7. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, CLS … 262

8. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA, SWLS … 261

9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, CLS … 254

10. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, CLS … 240 

 

 

  RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES 

www.rushsprintcars.com

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Sherwood Wheels, Precise Racing Products, Velocita-USA, Novus Home Mortgage Hermitage, Wedge Motorsports, 3C Graphix, D&V Jewelers, DrumPreserve, CrateInsider.com, Marthinsen & Salvitti Insurance Group and Terry Bowser Excavating. 


DAVE DUBOIS, STEVE LEBARRON & DAVID PANGRAZIO WIN THEIR 1ST HOVIS RUSH LATE MODEL VICTORIES OF 2023; RUSH MODS, SPRINTS, PRO MODS & STOCKS GET UNDERWAY
By Marcie Barlow

 
May 19, 2023 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Pulaski, PA)...After several wet and dreary weekends, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants were graced with warmer temperatures and mainly dry weather as they competed at various facilities throughout the region in the Late Models, Sprint Cars, Sportsman Modifieds and Pro Mods, and Stock Cars.
 
The third time was the charm as Skyline Raceway was able to get their season opener in last Friday. Dave DuBois scored his first RUSH Late Model win at the Virgil, NY track over brothers Todd and Alan Chapman.
 
Winchester Speedway has managed to get all five of their RUSH Late Model shows in thus far in 2023 and Kyle Hardy has definitely been the man to beat. Hardy continued his winning ways last Saturday as he tallied victory number four at the speedway as he remained perfect in City Chevrolet Weekly Series action with his lone defeat a third in the Flynn's Tire Touring Series event on April 15. Hardy, who started on the pole of the main event, defeated Dale Hollidge, Mike Walls, Tyler Hoy, and last year's champion Travis Campbell. 
 
RUSH Late Model City Chevrolet Weekly Series action at Woodhull Raceway saw Steve LeBarron and Noah Tolada lead the field to the green. LeBarron immediately took command and opened up a sizeable lead over Brian Knowles. Knowles was collected by a spinning Patrick Parker to bring out the event’s first caution. On the restart LeBarron was challenged by Jason Knowles and Austin Allen, but maintained the top spot. Two late race cautions would give Jason Knowles and Allen additional opportunities to take the top spot from LeBarron but they were unable to do so. LeBarron scored his first win of 2023 with Allen, Jason Knowles, Aaron Miller and John Haggerty finishing second through fifth.
 
David Pangrazio returned to Genesee Speedway’s victory lane for the first time in nearly five years as he fended off the challenges of Skyline's Friday night winner, Dave DuBois, to score his first win of 2023. Chad Homan, Doug Ricotta, and J.J. Mazur claimed third, fourth and fifth.     
 
The RUSH Late Model Flynn's Tire Tour visited the Stateline Speedway on Saturday for their only appearance at the Busti, NY oval in 2023 as race #5 of 2023 season was the Bill Law Memorial. The event pays tribute to the late Law, who had the first Crate Late Model in the Northeast more than 16 years ago. Joe Martin led the first 10 circuits of the 30-lap main event before veteran Jeremy Wonderling took the top spot. Wonderling went on to score a 4.298 second victory in the non-stop event that was completed in 9:23 minutes. Martin held on to bring home a second place finish. Jason Genco, 13-year-old Brock Pinkerous and Ward Schell rounded out the top five. A great field of 42 cars were on hand, one short of the record 43 in 2021.
 
The Tour drivers travelled to the Eriez Speedway the next evening for a special Mother’s Day racing card.  A strong field of 37 competitors were in action with Jeremy Wonderling once again capturing the victory as he led the event for the entire 30 lap distance. Only one caution flag would slow the event as sixth place starter Brock Pinkerous spun on the opening lap. Wonderling scored the win by 4.041 seconds over David Pangrazio, who tallied his career best Tour finish. Mike Wonderling claimed third for his second podium of the year with Jason Genco and Chub Frank finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
 
The Hovis Auto and Truck Supply RUSH Sportsman Modified Series were in action on both Friday and Saturday last week for their opening events of 2023.  Friday at Raceway 7 was the kickoff to the "Route 7 Rumble" Series presented by Wedge Motorsports. Ayden Cipriano and Jacob Wolfe led the field to green, but a spin by Doug Rutana negated the start. The second attempt at a start was successful with Wolfe leading the pack followed by Kole Holden and Cipriano. Wolfe continued to lead the field while Cipriano worked his way back to the second spot by lap six. Cipriano took over the top spot on lap 15 and went on to score the win over Holden, Wolfe, defending track champion Ben Easler and JC Boyer.
 
On Saturday evening the Sportsman Modifieds were on the bill at Sharon Speedway as they opened their 94th season.  Teenager Ben Easler, who started third, took over the top spot on the second lap and cruised to a 4.835 second victory. JC Boyer came home in second with Jacob Wolfe, Rob Kristyak and Doug Rutana completing the top five.
 
The lone RUSH Sprint Car event of the weekend was also at Sharon Speedway Saturday evening. A great field of 23 cars turned out for the Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series event. Veteran Chad Ruhlman continued his winning ways as he led the 20-lap main event from flag to flag to pick up his all-time leading 10th victory at the Hartford, Ohio oval. Blaze Myers came home in the runner-up position with John Mollick, Brandon Blackshear and Brian Hartzell rounding out the top five. 
 
The RUSH Pro Mods were in action at Stateline Speedway on Saturday evening. Veteran Al Brewer drove flawlessly for the entire distance of the 20-lap main event to score his first win in nearly two years at the Busti, New York oval. Steve Dixon, Dennis Lunger, Tyler Oakes and Josh Wilcox completed the top five.
 
The RUSH Stock Cars opened their third season of action as a record field of seven cars were on hand at Eriez. Last year's Futures Cup Champion, Cody Rickard, picked up the season opening victory over newcomers to the divisions Lane Reinwald, Brian Dwyer, William Baker, Jr., and Alex Bush.
 
Racing action at Pittsburgh and Tyler County fell victim to the weather. In addition, the RUSH Late Models were not in action at Raceway 7, Potomac Speedway, Marion Center or the Delaware tracks this past weekend.
 
This week’s racing action features the Hovis Auto and Truck Supply City Chevrolet RUSH Late Models in a special event at Lernerville Speedway this Friday. The winner of the event will receive a guaranteed starting spot in the "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by Sunoco Race Fuels with support from TBM Brakes, which will be held at the speedway as part of the "Firecracker 100" June 22-24. Other Friday action includes Raceway 7, which will host both the RUSH Late Models and RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, and Skyline Raceway. Saturday evening RUSH action will take place at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Tyler County Speedway and Woodhull Raceway.  Both Eriez and Bradford Speedways will host Sunday evening racing action. 
 
The Hovis Auto and Truck Supply RUSH Sprints presented by Born2Run Lubricants will be in action on both Saturday and Sunday. They will compete at the Tyler County Speedway in an $800 to-win Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series special event and then travel to Tri-City Raceway Park on Sunday.
 
The weather is starting to warm up so be sure and add some exciting RUSH racing action to your weekend.
 
The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Flynn's Tire, Sunbelt Rentals, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Bilstein Shocks, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Sherwood Wheels, Precise Racing Products, Velocita-USA, Wedge Motorsports, 3C Graphix, D&V Jewelers, CrateInsider.com, and Terry Bowser Excavating.  
 
E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Office phone is 724-964-9300. The RUSH Late Model website is www.rushlatemodels.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM.
 
 


 


KENYON MIDGET SERIES CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES  500  SPRINT CAR tour

Wisconsin wingLESS Sprints    ira lightning  Sprints  ira sprint car series united sprint car series

2023 CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES

2023 500 Sprint Car Tour Schedule

April 8 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 23rd Running of the Glen Niebel Classic

May 24-27 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 75th Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW

June 10 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan

June 18 - Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio I Fathers Day Classic

July 8 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 2nd Annual Gene Nolen Classic

July 22 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan

July 29 - Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway | Nashville, Tennessee

September 9 - Lorain Raceway Park | Amherst, Ohio

October 7 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 8th Annual Tony Elliott Classic

October 14 - Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park | Brownsburg, Indiana | 64th Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial

 

 

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