3.31.12 California Lightning Sprints Results
For the first time in three-years Stuart Hielscher Jr. returned to the cockpit and he won the 20-lap California Lightning Sprint Car main event on a chilly night last Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway.
Hielscher, who live in Murrieta, California, took the time off while playing football at Palomar College. Once he strapped himself back into the red #9 on Saturday night, he looked like he had hardly missed a day. Starting the main on the inside of the third row, Hielscher Jr. was fifth at the drop of the Kevin Winters’ green flag behind the Hillberg brothers, Darren of Corona and Dan of Placentia, 2011 rookie of the year Steve Limon of Corona and Lomita’s Kevin Michnowicz, who won the first two mains of 2012.
While the leaders were dicing with each other,, a streak was coming through the pack. Hemet’s Alexander Bissett, who just turned 17-years-old, was using the high line to drive his way to the front. On lap four he blasted around both Bobby Michnowicz and Hielscher Jr. and found himself in fourth.
The lead changed hands for the first time in the race when Dan Hillberg used a lapped car to set a pick and took the top spot from his younger brother.
Bissett momentarily rocketed into second on lap 11, but that was negated by a three car crash in turn four. Darren Hillberg slowed for a lapped car and Kevin Michnowicz slid sideways trying to avoid hitting Hillberg. Bobby Michnowicz hit his son’s sliding car and got up in the air. The elder Michnowicz was then hit by Limon, who had nowhere to go. The damage sustained by all three was enough to put them out of the race.
When the race restarted again, Bissett, who by then had the full attention of the crowd, quickly relegated Darren Hillberg to third and set his sights on Dan Hillberg and the top spot. Not only was Bissett fast, but the car stuck to the track anywhere he wanted it to. Coming off turn two on the 14th lap, the high school senior raced around the leader and was seemingly headed for his first ever win.
Like Bissett, Hielscher Jr. was on the throttle and was cutting through the leaders as well. He also passed Darren Hillberg and then took Dan for second on lap 17. However, it looked like he would be forced to settle for the runner up spot, but that all of that changed with less than two laps to go. Bissett’s #3 began to slow and in turn four heading for the white flag, it puffed smoke and slowed dramatically as he broke a rod. Hielscher Jr. took evasive action to get around the slowing car and to take the lead. When the checkered flag ended his return race one lap later, Hielscher Jr. was a quarter straight ahead of his nearest competitor. Dan Hillberg was second with Darren Hillberg in third. Stuart Hielscher Sr., the 2010 champion who was making his first appearance in two years, took fourth with Anaheim Hills veteran Guy Maresch fifth. Bissett stayed on the track and coasted home sixth.
Maresch, who came from the 10th starting spot to fifth, earned the “Oil Twins Amsoil Hard Charger” award.
Bissett and Bobby Michnowicz won the two six lap heat races to start the show.
Dan Hillberg parlayed his second place finish into the point leading heading into the CLS next race at the Bakersfield Speedway on April 14th. Kevin Michnowicz is second just two points behind the new leader. Maresch, Darren Hillberg and Anaheim’s Dale Gamer round out the top five.
To view highlights of last Saturday’s race courtesy of Loudpedal Video, please click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9LPsl3dm7wM
The California Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank 2012 series sponsors Christian Stover Foundation, Rod End Supply, Sander Engineering, Saldana Race Products, DK Machining and Fabrication, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Circle Track Performance, DJ Safety, Performance by Rosson Racing, Racing Optics, Electro Tech Powder Coating and Oil Twins Amsoil (Hard Charger Award at The PAS). If you or your company would like to become part of the California Lightning Series for the 2012 season, please call Dan Hillberg at: (714) 719-0295.
To keep up with the CLS on line, please visit the web site at: http://www.calightningsprints.com/index.html
Main Event Finish (wish starting positions): 1. Stuart Hielscher Jr. (5th), 2. Dan Hillberg (2nd, 3. Darren Hillberg (1st), 4. Stuart Hielscher Sr. (6th), 5. Guy Maresch (10th), 6. Alexander Bissett (8th), 7. Dale Gamer (12th), 8. Gabriella Robles (9th), 9. Damon Arnett (14th), 10. Zach Zauss (Murrieta), 11. James McCauley (16th), 12. Donna Kotlinski (14th), 13. Kevin Michnowicz (4th), 14. Bobby Michnowicz (7th), 15. Steve Limon (3rd), 16. Tom Downing (11th)
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Points
1. Dan Hillberg – Placentia, CA – 358
2. Kevin Michnowicz – Lomita – 356
3. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills – 330
4. Darren Hillberg – Corona – 315
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 311
6. Alexander Bissett – Hemet – 308
7. Damon Arnett – San Diego – 293
8. Steve Limon – Corona – 257
9. James McCauley – 246
10. Donna Kotlinski – Nuevo – 237
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule
February 25 – Perris Auto Speedway – Kevin Michnowicz
March 10 – Perris Auto Speedway – Kevin Michnowicz
March 17 – Bakersfield Speedway – Rained Out
March 31 – Perris Auto Speedway – Stuart Hielscher Jr.
April 14 – Bakersfield Speedway
April 28 – Perris Auto Speedway
May 12 – Bakersfield Speedway
May 26 – Perris Auto Speedway – Salute to Indy
July 4 – Perris Auto Speedway – Fireworks Show
July 28 – Perris Auto Speedway – California Racers Hall of Fame Night
August 11 – Santa Maria Speedway
August 18 – Perris Auto Speedway
September 1 – Bakersfield Speedway
September 15 – Perris Auto Speedway – Glenn Howard Memorial
September 22 – Ventura Raceway
September 20 – Bakersfield Speedway
November 2 – Perris Auto Speedway – Oval Nationals
November 3 – Perris Auto Speedway – Oval Nationals
TBA – Awards Banquet
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