Mike Griffith: Title for Shannon, win for Kirkpatrick at Speedway
| Sunday, Sep 21 2008 02:04 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 05:58 PM
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Chris Shannon races in the Western Allstars Dirt Late Model series last year at Bakersfield Speedway. Shannon took second in the race. Bakersfield Speedway owner Scott Schweitzer said he is unsure how many Late Models to expect at Saturday's event.
Chris Shannon celebrated a championship and A.J. Kirkpatrick celebrated another victory as the Western Allstars Dirt Late Model season came to a close Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway.
Kirkpatrick, of Nipomo, broke away form a mid-race duel with Shannon and cruised to his third win of the season at the third-mile clay oval.
"I feel great, that's what we needed," Kirkpatrick said of finishing up the regular season with a victory and $2,000 payday.
Shannon, of Merced, started on the pole and led the first 12 laps before a see-saw battle with Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick led for two laps, Shannon led for two laps then Kirkpatrick moved back in front and started to pull away.
Shannon did not win a feature all season but was the most consistent driver and that's what earned him the title.
"I want to thank my mom and dad and everyone who works on the car," Shannon said. "This is something I don't do on my own. It's a team effort. We didn't have an engine failure or a parts failure all year."
Steve Drake came from mid-pack to finish third, followed by Bobby Hogge IV and Dick Shepherd of Bakersfield.
Hanford track champion Jimmy Reeves dove under Michael Johnson with eight laps to go and raced to victory in the 30-lap IMCA Modified race.
Johnson led from the 11th lap, despite his left front body work flapping in the breeze. He left just a bit of room on the bottom of turn three on the 23rd lap and that was all Reeves needed.
NASCAR Camping World East regular David Mayhew finished third, followed by Gary Dutton and Kenny Kirkpatrick.
Dutton had his second straight track championship locked up before the race.
Eric Cimental of Bakersfield finished the regular Super Street season by posting back-to-back victories but Tim Randolph of Santa Maria walked away with the series championship.
Cimental led the first nine laps and the final 10, beating Randolph to the finish by about three car lengths.
Darrel Hood led laps 10 through 20 but then had engine failure.
