Results from Kern County Raceway Park’s Coca Cola Night on Saturday
PRESS RELEASE | Steven Blakesley
Coca Cola Night at Kern County Raceway Park saw a diverse mix of races with David Mayhew storming to a convincing win in the NASCAR Pro Late Models while the inaugural race for the 911 Racing Series went to Detective Josh Stephens of Shafter Police Department.
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Stephens won the 15 lap 911 Racing Series event on the quarter-mile after navigating through a crash on lap 12 that ended the race for fast-time qualifier Chris Eucce of the Bakersfield Fire Department. Eucce was struck by a sliding Craig Trefz of the Bakersfield Police while they battled for the lead, hooking Eucce into the outside wall. Eucce was uninjured but his race was over.
The caution set up a green-white-checkered shootout with Stephens leading Kern County Fire’s Shawn Whittington across the stripe by .214 seconds ahead of Trefz, Robert Gomes of the Taft Police Department, and Kern County Sheriff Ian Chandler in fifth.
“I need a water,” Stephens, the six year veteran of the Shafter Police Department, said. “I’ve been in high speed chases and stuff but this was an absolute blast!”
In Pro Late Model competition, the race saw three different leaders in the first three laps before 2013 CITGO Lubricant Late Model champion David Mayhew broke free for the victory. Auburn, CA’s Thomas Martin led the opening lap before being overhauled by Johnny White on lap two, then Mayhew took over from White.
Related Article: Kern County Raceway’s 2014 Season Set To Begin Saturday Night
A caution came out on lap 10 for fluid from Anthony Mainella’s entry, and Mayhew picked the outside on the restart. Fourth restarting Tim Smith, the 2013 Pro LM champion, followed Mayhew into second place but was unable to close up on Mayhew for the remainder of the 50 lap race.
“The car was really fast,” Mayhew said. “I can’t thank these guys enough.” Mayhew remarked on his luck when his kids are in attendance, as well: “The kids are definitely going to have to tag along more!”
On the NASCAR Mini Stock side, Dylan Baker led only the final lap of the 30 lap feature to get the hard earned victory. Randy Smith, father of Pro LM champion Tim Smith, led the first 22 laps in Baker’s old ride with new track recorder holder Racin Vernon racing closely behind him.
The battle boiled over in lapped traffic when Smith slammed into the back of a lapped car and lost the lead to Vernon. Vernon looked to have the win in hand but his engine seized up while taking the white flag, giving Baker all the help he needed. Baker took the victory with Vernon and Smith hanging out to round out the top-three, while Terry Pettit got the best of Stacy Evans for fourth.
John Piker broke the stranglehold of Rich Delong III on KCRP Street Stock racing, sweeping qualifying, the trophy dash, and the 25 lap feature. Delong, who came into the event with four consecutive track wins, finished third behind a strong charge by Howie Smith. Perrin Koostra and Rich Delong, Jr. rounded out the top-five.
Anthony Balcazar held off 2013 Sr. Mini Dwarf champion Jerry Flippo for the season points opening 25 lap win, after winning the season finale in 2013 as well. Andrew Orlando spun from the lead position on a restart on lap five, but managed to drive hard to finish third at the checkered flag.
Kyleigh Forster returned to her winning ways with yet another win for the defending champ of the Jr. Mini Dwarfs. Taft’s Bailey Thompson finished second over 2013 division runner-up Kabe McClenny who raced in honor his longtime sponsor Andy Stout who passed away during the week.
Kern County Raceway Park continues its 2014 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program next Saturday with KUZZ Night at the races including the NASCAR CITGO Lubricants Late Models in Twin 35 lap features.
Related Article: The Championship Races For Kern County Raceway Park Set For Saturday
Major marketing partners at Kern County Raceway Park include Budweiser, CITGO Lubricants, Monster Energy, Advance Beverage Company, Coca Cola, NAPA Auto Parts, DC’s RV Center, Three-Way Chevrolet, and Whelen Engineering.
Kern County Raceway Park is online at www.kernraceway.com More information is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kernraceway and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kernraceway
For marketing information on Kern County Raceway Park, contact Steven Blakesley by email at sblakesley@kernraceway.com or by phone at (661) 835-1264, ext 3203
April 19, 2014 “COCA COLA NIGHT” Feature Results
Kern County Raceway Park – Bakersfield, CA
NASCAR Pro Late Model – 50 laps
1) 17 David Mayhew, 2) 99 Tim Smith, 3) 6 Thomas Martin, 4) 19 Johnny White, 5) 29 Anthony Mainella, 6) 34Dallas Montes DNS: 88 Jason Gilbert 24:17.128
NASCAR Mini Stock – 30 laps
1) 14 Dylan Baker, 2) 51 Racin Vernon, 3) 41 Randy Smith, 4) 15 Terry Pettit, 5) 22 Stacy Evans, 6) 46 Eric Aldridge, 7) 7 Justin Fine, 8) 3 Rachel Fine 8:29.004
Street Stock – 25 laps
1) 28 John Piker, 2) 4 Howie Smith, 3) 84 Rich Delong III, 4) 1 Perrin Koostra, 5) 64 Rich Delong, Jr., 6) 14 Dylan Baker 12:54.248
911 Racing Series – 15 laps
1) 00 Josh Stevens, 2) 55 Shawn Whittington, 3) 6 Craig Trefz, 4) 21 Robert Gomes, 5) 51 Ian Chandler, 6) 17 Geoffrey Welch, 7) 8 Christopher Eucce 10:53.285
Sr. Mini Dwarf – 25 laps
1) 17 Anthony Balcazar, 2) 13 Jerry Flippo, 3) 11 Andrew Orlando, 4) 8 Jeremy Clark, 5) 00 Cheyenne Flippo, 6) 92 Ryley Millard, 7) 81 Danny Sephus, 8) 33 Brock McLaughlin, 9) 14 Kaylyn Baker 13:56.575
Jr. Mini Dwarf – 25 laps
1) 1, 2) 19b Bailey Thompson, 3) 05 Kabe McClenny, 4) 17 Kercie Jung, 5) 04 Ryley Massey, 6) 3 Cole Forster 5:05.736
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