10.17.15 California Lightning Sprints Results
The California Lightning Sprint Car Series made its final 2015 appearance at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway at the “Beach Party” last Saturday night and Bobby Michnowicz made it two out three wins at the ocean side oval in 2015. The victory was also enough to propel the Lomita, California veteran to his third CLS championship even with one race to go.
Things started out great for the driver who still had some slim hopes of stealing the championship from Michnowicz when Alex Grigoreas won his heat race. However, all good things must come to an end and that is exactly what happened to the likable Upland resident in the main event.
Grigoreas started the main event in the 10th spot with Michnowicz on his inside. When the green flag flew, Ripon’s Brian Corso beat San Bernardino’s James Heling to the first turn. The “Flyin’ Jew,” Zach Zauss of Murrieta was third on the start.
Like usual, Michnowicz, in his T-Shirts by Timeless/Rosson Racing/Pflum & Wagner Racing/Fuel Safe Racing Cells/Keizer Wheels/DLX Chassis/Kawasaki ZX10 #21k, was slicing his way through the field and was into fifth by the end of the second lap.
Corso quickly advanced his lead to about a half straightaway over Heling, who likewise had a half straight advantage over Zauss. Zauss had his hands full trying to fight off teammate A.J. Bender of San Marcos and Michnowicz. Michnowicz broke into the top three when he took Zauss on a restart with 12 laps to go in the 20-lap main. Less than a lap later he slid into second by passing Heling.
Michnowicz quickly tracked down the leader and stalked him on the inside. Leaving the bottom open out of turn four Corso gave Michnowicz the opportunity he was after and the veteran driver took full advantage and seized the lead and stayed there until the checkers ended the 20-lapper.
Bender, who will be running the USAC Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway in three weeks, took the second place spot followed by Corso in third. Kingsburg’s Doug Nunes, who won the first CLS main event at Ventura on April 11th, took fourth with Fort Irwin’s Jeff Dyer fifth. Michnowicz was also the main event “Hard Charger.”
Back to Grigoreas. He had come all the way to fifth and was challenging Nunes for fourth on the last lap. The leaders were trying to sort their way through traffic and the evasive chain reaction saw Grigoreas tip over on the back straight. The veteran was uninjured and the car only sustained damage to the wing, but it effectively ended his title hopes for the year.
Other heat race winners on the night were Bender and 2010 CLS champ Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley.
While Michnowicz has sewed up the title, there is still a battle raging for second heading into the final race of the season at the Imperial Valley Raceway in El Centro on November 21st. Grigoreas is only 12-points up on Dyer and the former teammates will fight it out for that spot on the final night.
Heading into the last race of the season, the “Rookie of the Year” title is still up for grabs as well. Chino’s Pat Kelley is 35-markers ahead of “Rockstar” John Robertson of Torrance.
Ventura Results (with starting spots)
1. Bobby Michnowicz (9th), 2. A.J. Bender (6th), 3. Brian Corso (1st), 4. Doug Nunes (8th), 5. Jeff Dyer (7th), 6. James Heling (2nd), 7. Zach Zauss (3rd), 8. Bruce Douglass (4th), 9. James Squire III (12th), 10. Dale Gamer (13th), 11. Aiden Lange (17th), 12. Alex Grigoreas (10th), 13. Jon Robertson (14th), 14. Jon Squire (15th), 15. Cody Nigh (18th), 16. Jarrett Kramer (5th), 17. Pat Kelley (11th), 18. Darren Hillberg (16th)
2015 CLS Point Standings
1. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 2716
2. Alex Grigoreas – Upland – 2478
3. Jeff Dyer – Fort Irwin – 2466
4. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 2298
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 2173
6. James Heling – San Bernardino – 2118
7. Pat Kelley – Chino – 2051
8. Jon Robertson – Torrance – 2016
9. Don Kuener – Perris – 1638
10. Doug Nunes – Kingsburg – 1384
If you or your company would like to become part of the series for the 2015 season, please call Bobby Michnowicz at: (310) 320-5569.
To keep up with the CLS on line, please visit the web site at: http://www.calightningsprints.com/index.html
2015 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule
March 7: Imperial Valley Raceway (El Centro) 1/4 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz
March 21: Bakersfield Speedway 1/3 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz (Civil War CLS vs BCRA)
April 11: Ventura Raceway 1/5 Mile – Doug Nunes
April 25: Bakersfield Speedway 1/3 Mile – Doug Nunes
May 9: Santa Maria Raceway 1/4 Mile – Alex Grigoreas
May 23: Perris Auto Speedway 1/2 Mile (Salute To Indy) – Bobby Michnowicz
June 6: Ventura Raceway 1/5 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz
June 20: Bakersfield Speedway 1/3 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz
July 4: Perris Auto Speedway 1/2 Mile (Firecracker) – Jarrett Kramer
July 18: Ventura Raceway 1/5 Mile – Rained Out
August 1: Merced (Civil War CLS vs BCRA) – Canceled
August 15: Perris Auto Speedway 1/2 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz
August 29: Santa Maria Raceway 1/4 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz
September 19: Perris Auto Speedway 1/2 Mile – Dan Hillberg
September 26: Bakersfield Speedway 1/3 Mile (Civil War CLS vs BCRA) – Bobby Michnowicz
October 17: Ventura Raceway 1/5 Mile – Bobby Michnowicz
November 21: Imperial Valley Raceway (El Centro) 1/4 Mile – TBD
PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS
1994 Tony Everhart, 1995 Gary Sexton, 1996 Rob Sczymczak, 1997 Jon Rahe, 1998 Chris Rahe, 1999 Brent Sexton, 2000 Greg Bragg, 2001 Greg Bragg, 2002 Greg Bragg, 2003 David Cardey, 2004 Keith Janca, 2005 Johnny Bates, 2006 Donny Gansen, 2007 Shane Rossen, 2008 Brent Sexton, 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr., 2010 Jarrett Kramer, 2011 Tim Brown, 2012 Bobby Michnowicz, 2013 Stephen Limon