Longtime Southern California racing star Bobby Michnowicz finally shook off his mechanical bugaboos and led all 20 laps for his first California Lightning Sprint Car main event last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.
The race, which was run without a yellow or red flag, began with the Lomita based driver starting on the outside of the second row. By the time the 16-car field exited turn two on the opening circuit, Michnowicz had taken the lead and began to build a commanding advantage that he would never relinquish. Corona’s Darren Hillberg, who started directly in front of Michnowicz in the main event, was second as the first lap came to a close.
While Michnowicz built a big lead, the dicing was furious behind him. Murrieta’s Stuart Hielscher Jr. raced into fourth on lap three when he got by Hemet’s Alexander Bissett. Bissett, who has been super fast at The PAS this year only to be plagued by a series of blown engines, began his regular charge towards the front by passing Hielscher back and then taking Placentia’s Dan Hillberg for third. The teenager continued his progress towards the front when he passed Darren Hillberg for the runnerup spot at the end of the eighth lap.
By the time Bissett worked his way to second, Michnowicz had built a massive advantage. The only question was, ‘would a yellow flag dictate a shootout between them?’ That question was quickly answered five laps from the finish when Bissett lost another engine.
While all eyes were busy watching the lead duo, Hielscher raced into the second spot a couple laps before Bissett dropped out. The same question applied to Hielscher and the yellow flag he needed, never came out. When starter Kevin Winters’ checkered flag ended the 20-lapper, Michnowicz was a half of a track ahead and he had lapped all the way up to the seventh place car. Hielscher claimed the second place spot with Dan Hillberg third. “Zoom” Guy Maresch, the current point leader who resides in Anaheim Hills, took fourth and Corona’s Steve Limon was fifth.
Rookie Jeff Dyer won the Oil Twins Amsoil Hard Charger Award by coming from his 16th place starting spot to finished 7th in the main event.
Earlier in the show Maresch and Dan Hillberg won the six lap heat races.
Maresch came into the night with a 17-point lead over Dan Hillberg in the championship standings. Hillberg gained five on the night and now trails Maresch by 12-points.
The CLS gets over a month off before celebrating Independence Day at The PAS on July 4th along with USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and The PAS Senior Sprints.
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 Finishing Order With Starting Positions
1. Bobby Michnowicz (4th), 2. Stuart Hielscher Jr. (3rd), 3. Dan Hillberg (6th), 4. Guy Maresch (7th), 5. Steve Limon (11th), 6. Darren Hillberg (2nd), 7. Jeff Dyer (16th), 8. Dale Gamer (9th), 9. Damon Arnett (1st), 10. Ryan Sherman (8th), 11. Jim Squire (13th),
12. Zach Zauss (15th), 13. Donna Kotlinski (10th), 14. Alexander Bissett (5th), 15. Tom Downing (14th), 16. JJ Bagwell (12th)
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Points
1. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills – 740
2. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 728
3. Steve Limon – Corona – 647
4. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 643
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 617
6. Damon Albright – San Diego – 598
7. Darren Hillberg – Corona – 595
8. Alexander Bissett – Hemet – 583
9. Zach Zauss – Murrieta – 535
10. Kevin Michnowicz – Lomita – 447
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 – Rained Out
April 28 – Perris Auto Speedway – Dan Hillberg
May 12 – Bakersfield Speedway – Civil War vs BCRA – Scott Kinney
May 26 – Perris Auto Speedway – Salute to Indy – Bobby Michnowicz
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 – Civil War vs BCRA
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