Aiden Lange Wins Emotional California Lightning Sprint Series Main at Ventura
Ventura, CA – May 5, 2025 — In what will long be remembered as one of the most poignant nights in California Lightning Sprint Car Series Presented by Motor City Buick/GMC history, Aiden Lange of Lakewood, CA, returned to victory lane in triumphant fashion at the Ventura Raceway last Saturday night. The emotional win was his first since stepping away from racing 14 months ago to support his father’s battle with cancer.
After a hot start to the 2024 season that saw him take an early championship lead, he put his racing career on hold following his father Michael’s cancer diagnosis. Save for one symbolic appearance late last year when Michael’s condition improved, Lange’s focus remained with family. Saturday night, he made a powerful return to the sport’s most sentimental stage, victory lane.
The night’s action came together after Ventura Raceway staff stepped up to host the CLS event following the cancellation of the scheduled race at the Bakersfield Speedway. What followed was a compelling, green-to-checkered 25-lap main event that showcased both emotion and excellence.
Lange (Langeford Farms/Kopp’s Custom Guitars/Spirited By Brad/Vital Pack/Randallz Warranty Service/H2O Fire Protection/JDR Graphics/T-Shirts by Timeless/Jake Swanson Shock Technology/Collie Ollie Designs/iza.ini/Sweets by Tiffany/SRK Graphics/2015 Triple X Chassis/2017 Kawasaki ZX10) started on the pole alongside CLS legend Bobby Michnowicz. Behind them sat the Dyer Motorsports duo of Jeff Dyer and 16-year-old rookie Drake Cardey. The third row featured Eric Greco of Palmdale—winner of this season’s Bakersfield opener in April—and Camarillo native Cody Nigh.
At the drop of the green, Lange and Michnowicz went door-to-door into turn one. Michnowicz took the high line but started hopping coming off turn two, allowing Lange to power into the lead. Though Michnowicz briefly poked his nose ahead after switching to the bottom near the end of lap two, Lange quickly regained control and never looked back.
Meanwhile, Nigh moved past Dyer into fourth early on. Just in front of them, a fierce battle emerged for second place. Cardey, showing poise well beyond his years, relentlessly pressured Michnowicz, running the high line with fearless determination. Persistence finally paid off and the teen raced around the seven-time champion entering turn one on lap 10.
By that point, Lange had built a nearly half-straightaway lead and had no problems with the lapped traffic. While the battle for podium positions raged behind him, Lange stayed cool, calm, and unchallenged up front, ultimately taking the checkered flag with a commanding full straightaway advantage. The victory, which was his first since the 2024 season opener at the Imperial Valley Raceway, was greeted by an outpouring of support from the Ventura crowd.
Cardey’s runner-up finish was the best of his young career and earned him both the Eibach Spring Forward and Speedmart Hard Charger awards. Behind the lead duo, Michnowicz held off his nephew, Nigh, to claim third, with Greco rounding out the top five.
“Ya’ I guess I just wanna’ say I’m super grateful to be back racing after taking last year off,” the happy winner said. “My dad spent his time away building an absolutely perfect car that I am super lucky to drive. We’re still working out some bugs and knocking the rust off, but I owe it to him and my sister to give it my all, and I’m happy that in this case I could deliver.”
Earlier in the evening, Greco set fast time in qualifying with an 11.818 lap. It was the only sub 12 second lap in time trials. San Diego State graduate Nigh was second fastest at 12.037. California Highway Patrol Officer Dyer was third after speeding to a 12.123. Cardey and Bruce Douglass were fourth and fifth with laps of 12.249 and 12.425.
Heat race victories went to Greco over Dyer and Michnowicz in Racing Junk Heat #1. Lange started his winning ways in Extreme Muffler Heat #2 when he beat Cardey and Nigh to the checkers.
Lange and Greco are currently tied atop the championship point standings. Michnowicz is 28-points behind the co-leaders in third. Douglass sits fourth, while Cardey and Nigh are locked in a tie for fifth.
The club takes a break this weekend before heading north to Merced Speedway for Round #1 of the annual CLS vs. BCRA Civil War Series on May 17th.
The CLS returns to Ventura Raceway on May 31st.