5.3.14 California Lightning Sprints Results
2012 champion Bobby Michnowicz became the first repeat winner of 2014 in the California Lightning Sprints Car Series when he scored a convincing win last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. The veteran star from Lomita will try to back up that victor this Saturday night when the CLS takes to the Bakersfield Speedway for round #1 of the “North vs South Civil War Series,” matching the CLS against Northern California’s BCRA.
Joining the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, PAS Senior and Young Gun Sprints on the quadruple header program, CLS drivers and teams were greeted to unseasonably warm 100 degree temperatures when they arrived at the track in the afternoon. Sixteen CLS cars were in the pits for the race and for the second time in as many appearances at the clubs home track in 2014, 2013 champion Stephen Limon set the fastest qualifying time with a sizzling lap of 16.473. That time was just a tick off the track record he established on the inner hybrid track when he toured it in 16.444 back in March. Michnowicz was second quick with a lap of 16.751 and point leader Dan Hillberg of Placentia timed in third at 16.758.
After Corona resident Limon and Murrieta’s “Flying Jew” Zach Zauss won the heat races, it was time for the main event and a couple of teenagers with the same first name comprised the front row for the scheduled 20-lapper. Cori Andrews of Laguna Niguel was on the pole and Corona’s Corey Hoover was alongside of her. Once Kevin Winters opened the race with his green flag. Andrews had a slight advantage going into the first corner, but Hoover asserted himself at the point on the back chute on the opening go round.
The top two remained unchanged until Michnowicz, powered by a Honda, got by Andrews for second on lap five. Hoover maintained the top spot with Michnowicz in hot pursuit before the race was red flagged on lap seven when Nuevo’s Mike Kotlinski spun coming off of turn four and was hit head on by Chris Hoffman who had nowhere to go. Kotlinski flipped, but emerged from his wrecked car uninjured. Hoffman complained of pain in his back and the track medical crew took some extra time evaluating him and allowing him to exit the car.
After the wrecked cars were cleared from the track the race was restarted, but it did not get far. Zauss, who was blazing fast on the night, looped it in turn four leaving San Diego’s Damon Arnett with nowhere to go. Arnett caught the tail of Zauss’ #29 and over it went. Meanwhile other cars scrambled to avoid the mess and more mayhem took place with Anaheim veteran Dale Gamer also getting upside down, Thus, out came another red flag.
Everyone was okay in the second crash, but with the late time, track officials cut the main to 15-laps. Fortunately for all involved the only carnage left was that inflicted by Michnowicz as he passed Hoover on lap eight and ran away from the field in route to his second win of the 2014 campaign. By the time the checkered flag ended the race Michnowicz and his T-Shirts by Timeless/Power Performance/Rosson Racing/Fabozi Metal Works /Honda was a full straightway in front of Hoover, who recorded his best ever CLS finish. Limon ended up third followed by previous PAS winner Jeff Dyer of Silver Lake and Arnett. Michnowicz also was the race “Hard Charger” after starting ninth and picking up eight spots.
“This win is for all the “Keyboard Cowboys” who have been saying a Honda is not fast enough to win,” Michnowicz told the crowd after the win. “This definitely proves that it is fast enough to win.”
The best battle in recent history for the CLS championship took another twist at The PAS. Limon retook the point lead and now heads Dyer by 77-points going into Bakersfield. Hillberg, who came into the night with a 12-points lead over Limon, fell back to third. Arnett stayed fourth in the points and Michnowicz’ win propelled him from seventh to fifth.
Likewise, there was a major scramble in the “Rookie of the Year” standings. Hoover took over the top spot and Andrews moved up to second, 62-points behind Hoover. Torrance driver Jeremy Queener came in as the leading rookie, but was plagued with mechanical problems all night long and now finds himself third, two-points behind Andrews.
This Saturday’s race will be the third of the year at Bakersfield and the first of three in the “Civil War Series” pitting CLS vs BCRA. Northern California’s Dakota Albright won the first race on “The West’s Fastest 1/3 of a Mile High Banked Clay Oval” on March 29th and Hillberg won there on April 19th. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM at Bakersfield with racing at 6:00.
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
PAS main event with (starting positions): 1. Bobby Michnowicz (9th), 2. Corey Hoover (2md), 3. Stephen Limon (8th), 4. Jeffrey Dyer (4th), 5. Damon Arnett (5th), 6. Cori Andrews (1st), 7. James Squire III (3rd), 8. Robert Wilhelm (11th), 9. James Helling (12th), 10. Jon Squire (10th), 11. Zach Zauss (7th), 12. Dale Gamer (6th), 13. Mike Kotlinski (13th), 14. Chris Hoffman (14th)
Pont Standings
1. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 1109
2. Jeff Dyer – Silver Lake – 1032
3. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 1015
4 Damon Arnett – San Diego – 969
5. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 953
6. Zach Zauss – Murrieta – 925
7. Corey Hoover – Corona – 902
8. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 847
8. Robert Wilhelm – El Cajon – 843
10. Cori Andrews – Laguna Niguel – 841
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 – Bobby Michnowicz
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