Competition heats up for Late Models
| Wednesday, Aug 18 2010 10:09 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Aug 18 2010 10:09 PM
The huge car counts of a few years ago are long gone, but the competitiveness in the Late Model stock car division at Bakersfield Speedway is as high as it's ever been.
Car counts have ranged from a low of 12 to a high of 22 so there is no doubt that economic times have certainly hurt the high-dollar racing class in the number of drivers competing on a regular basis.
But those who have shown up for four previous races at the third-mile clay oval have put on some pretty good racing and there have been 17 or more drivers on hand for all but one of the races.
The racing has been good enough that four races have produced four different winners heading into another Late Model race on Saturday night.
Tommy Malcolm of Corona became the latest Late Model winner at the track back on July 17 when the 17-year old led all but the first few laps for his first-ever victory.
Steve Drake, Mike Kirby and Mike Johnson have also raced to victory.
Clay Daly has been the most consistent driver with three top-five finishes. Thirteen different drivers have managed top-five finishes through four races.
Also in action on Saturday night will be American Stocks, NMRA Three-Quarter Midgets and Dwarf Cars.
Racing starts at 6.
Quick shifts
David Mayhew of Bakersfield has fallen 119 points behind Eric Holmes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West title race as Holmes has won the past two races. Mayhew finished second to Holmes in Montana on Aug. 7 and came back from a flat tire and a lap down to finish fifth to Holmes last week in Colorado. Three races remain to decide the championship.
A death at Marysville Raceway Park last Saturday night has prompted promoters to close the quarter-mile clay oval for the rest of the season. Merle Shephard died after his big rig truck collided with another big rig and rolled. Eight big rigs were competing in what was reportedly the first-ever big rig race at the 42-year old track, located between Sacramento and Chico.
To celebrate Bakersfield native Kevin Harvick's clinching a spot in the 2010 NASCAR Chase, Bakersfield residents can get a special deal on tickets to Auto Club Speedway's Sprint Cup race on Oct. 10 in Fontana. From now through Sept. 19, Bakersfield residents can secure a reserved Turn 1 grandstand seat (rows 1-23 or 93-119) to the Pepsi MAX 400 for $29. Call 1-800 944 7223 to take advantage of the offer.
