Mike Griffith: 'Pride' has young guns riding in style
| Wednesday, May 13 2009 10:42 PM
Last Updated Thursday, May 14 2009 08:23 PM
At 16 and 18 years of age, Steven and Tyler Johnson represent the new face of racing at Bakersfield Speedway.
But they don't stray too far from the past. Their father, Steve, has been a fixture at the Oildale racetrack for decades.
The elder Johnson now leaves the driving in the capable hands of his sons, who cut their teeth in Mini Stocks and now compete in the entry-level American Stock division.
It's not difficult to spot the Johnson brothers. Steven, in the No. 26, and Tyler, in No. 24, are usually near the front of the pack by the time the race is over.
They also compete in two of the nicest cars in the division, which helps them stand out.
"I take pride in my cars," said Steve, who provides the bulk of funding and a ton of labor to the racing effort. "I try to make them the best-looking cars in the class at the beginning of the season and keep them looking good. It's not that much more money, it's time and effort."
Steven won the division last year and is atop the standings again after racing to his second straight victory last Saturday night. He'll be trying to make it three straight this Saturday night.
But with more than two-thirds of the season yet to be run, the youngest of the Johnsons knows that winning a single race, let alone the championship, is no easy task.
"It's tough competition and being patient is the real key," he said of the American Stock class.
As is avoiding bad luck.
Tyler was atop the point standings heading into last week's race, 10 points up on Steven, but a mechanical failure left him limping to the pits early and now he's tied with Jerry Mayall for second, 16 points behind his brother.
"Whoever stays the most consistent," will wind up with the championship, Tyler said.
Both drivers said the heavier, V-8 powered American Stock cars are much more of a handful than the light, four-cylinder Mini Stocks.
"It was a good driving experience, dealing with traffic and learning what to do," Tyler said. "But the American Stocks are a lot harder to drive. You're a lot more active in the car. With the Minis it's sort of the same thing lap after lap."
But Steven perhaps summed it up best as to what keeps the Johnson brothers, and their competitors, coming out to the track.
"It's a lot of fun," he said.
Also in action on Saturday night will be IMCA Modifieds, Mini Stocks and NMRA Midgets.
Racing begins at 6.
Quick shifts
* East meets West Sunday as the NASCAR Camping World West and East Series meet at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa for the Long John Silver's 200. Eric Holmes is the West points leader while Bakersfield's David Mayhew, who finished second to Holmes in the last race, is fifth in points.
* The California Sports Car Club is holding a double regional points race Saturday and Sunday at Buttonwillow Raceway. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days.
* Auto Club Famoso Raceway is holding its first Friday Night Test and Tune of the season this Friday night. The events are a sort of run-what-you-brung affair with a wide variety of vehicles being driven down the quarter mile on timed runs. Gates open at 7 p.m.
* Buddy Shepherd, 9, raced to victory Friday in a Junior Sprint race at Kings Speedway in Hanford.
