4.19.14 California Lightning Sprints Results
In what is shaping up as the most competitive season in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series 21-year history, Placentia, California veteran Dan Hillberg became the fifth different winner in as many races last Saturday night at the Bakersfield Speedway. Not only did the savvy veteran win the main, but he swept the show as he was fast qualifier, won his heat race and was the main event :Hard Charger.” In addition to taking home the trophy and the biggest pay check of the night, Hillberg also took the point lead back from defending series champ Stephen Limon.
Hillberg, who began his racing career more than 30-years ago in the USRC Midgets, began the main event on the outside of the fourth row in the LMC Auto Sales/Decore Plating/Hinchman/Drake Incorporated/Bell/WFO #10. The longtime open wheel driver wasted little time coming towards the front and took the lead from impressive Torrance rookie Jeremy Queener in turn three on the third lap. From that point on it was all Hillberg as he led the final 17 laps for his first ever win at Bakersfield.
Queener recorded a career best CLS second place finish with Silver Lake driver Jeff Dyer third. Limon, who makes his home in Corona, finished fourth and has not finished outside the top five in 2014. Another impressive rookie, Cory Hoover of Corona, finished in fifth.
Hillberg, who lapped up to the sixth place car and won the main event by a whopping 7.513, told the Bakersfield Californian, “I love this racetrack. We’ve always been kind of snake-bit out here. For us to come out and pull this off big tonight, with quick-time, heat race and main (event) is incredible.”
Hillberg’s lap of 12:962 was fastest in the 15-car field in qualifying. Dyer won the other heat race.
Hillberg came into Bakersfield second in points, 10 behind Limon. However, by the time the lights were turned off at the Kern County track, Hillberg had reclaimed the top spot and now has a 12-point advantage over Limon. Dyer is 69-points behind the leader in third with Damon Arnett of San Diego fourth and Queener fifth.
Next up for the CLS is a May 3rd date at Perris Auto Speedway and then round #1 of the “North vs South Civil War Series” at Bakersfield on May 10th.
The California Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank series sponsors Performance by Rosson Racing, T Shirts by Timeless, Cold Fire West, Circle Track Performance, Extreme Mufflers, Racing Optics, Saldana Race Products, Keizer Wheels, Sander Engineering, Christian Stover Foundation, Hoosier Racing Tires, Drake Incorporated and DK Machine. If you or your company would like to become part of the California Lightning Series for the 2014 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
Bakersfield main event (with starting positions); 1. Dan Hillberg (8th), 2. Jeremy Queener (4th), 3. Jeff Dyer (6th), 4. Stephen Limon (7th), Corey Hoover (9th), 6. Zach Zauss, (5th), 7. Damon Arnett (3rd), 8. Robert Wilhelm (2nd), 9, Dale Gamer (1st), 10. Steve Roza (10th), 11. Cori Andrews (11th), 12. Jon Squire (12th), 13. James Squire III (14th), 14. Chance Sheffield (13th)
Pont Standings
1. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 983
2. Stephen Limon – Corona – 971
3. Jeff Dyer – Silver Lake – 914
4 Damon Arnett – San Diego – 854
5. Jeremy Queener – Torrance – 833
6. Zach Zauss – Murrieta – 832
7. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 816
8. Corey Hoover – Corona – 775
8. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 768
10. Robert Wilhelm – El Cajon – 748
2014 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule
March 8: Imperial Fairgrounds Raceway – El Centro, CA – Bobby Michnowicz
March 15: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Sokola Shootout) – Jeff Dyer
March 29: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA – Dakota Albright
April 5: Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA – Stephen Limon
April 19: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA – Dan Hillberg
May 3: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA
May 10: Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
May 24: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Salute To Indy)
June 14: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA
July 4: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Firecracker)
August 16: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (California Racers Hall of Fame Night)
August 30: Santa Maria Speedway – Santa Maria, CA
September 13: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Glenn Howard Classic)
September 27: *Bakersfield Speedway – Bakersfield, CA
October 18: *Ventura Raceway – Ventura, CA
November 7: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 8: Perris Auto Speedway – Perris, CA (Oval Nationals)
November 15: Imperial Fairgrounds Raceway – El Centro, CA
* = Co-Sanctioned Event With BCRA Midget Lites.
This schedule is subject to change.
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