9.22.12 California Lightning Sprints Results
Series point leader Bobby Michnowicz won his econd main event in a row and his third in the last four races when the California Lightning Sprint Cars made their only 2012 visit to Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway last Saturday night. The victory allowed the veteran racer to advance his newly acquired point lead to 64-points over second place Dan Hillberg with only four races remaining on the 2012 schedule. The next event is this Saturday night, September 29th, at the Bakersfield Speedway.
Michnowicz’ 2012 campaign was plagued by engine problems early on, but his second half charge through the standings has seen his car run near flawlessly. On Saturday the Lomita resident came from the third starting spot to post his series leading fifth main event victory of the year. Visiting BCRA racer Doug Nunes, who won the CLS main event at Santa Maria on August 11th, finished second to Michnowicz. Dan Hillberg of Placentia, his younger brother Darren Hillberg of Corona, and series leading rookie Damon Arnett of San Diego rounded out the top five finishers at the picturesque racetrack that is just a few yards from the Pacific Ocean.
Anaheim Hills driver Guy Maresch, who led the points most of the season, and Dan Hillberg each won one of the nine car hear races earlier in the night.
Michnowicz increased his point lead to 64 over Dan Hillberg. Corona’s Steve Limon is third 45-points behind Hillberg and Maresch is fourth, only two in back of Limon. Anahiem’s Dale Gamer sits fifth.
This Saturday, at Bakersfield, “The West’s Fastest 1/3 of a Mile High Banked Clay Oval,” the CLS will be joined by Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, NMRA 3/4 Midgets and the Mini Dwarfs. When the series last appeared there on September 1st, 2010 champion Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley won the main event. For more information on the Bakersfield Speedway, please visit their website: http://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/
After Saturday’s race at Bakersfield, the CLS will only have three events left in 2012. It will visit the Route 66 Motorplex in Victorville on October 13th and close the season at Perris Auto Speedway on November 2nd and 3rd at the 17th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals.
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
Ventura Main Event (with starting positions): 1. Bobby Michnowicz (3rd), 2. Doug Nunes (7th), 3. Dan Hillberg (9th), 4. Darren Hillberg (6th), 5. Damon Arnett (1st), 6. Steve Limon (3rd), 7. Dale Gamer (8th), 8. Tom Downing (2nd), 9. Alex Grigoreas (11th). 10. Guy Maresch (10th), 11. Jeff Dyer (5th), 12. Dan Lancaster (12th), 13. James McCauley (13th), 14. Jim Squire (18th), 15, Zach Zauss (14th), 16. Mike Kotlinski (16th), 17. Chris Watkins (15th), 18. Donna Kotlinski (17th)
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Points
1. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 1753
2. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 1689
3. Steve Limon – Corona – 1644
4. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills – 1642
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 1458
6. Damon Arnett – San Diego – 1454
7. Zach Zauss – Murrieta – 1396
8. Darren Hillberg – Corona – 1237
9. Tom Downing – Lakewood – 1178
10. Jeff Dyer – La Verne – 1087
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 – Bobby Michnowicz
July 28 – Perris Auto Speedway – Hall of Fame Night – Steve Limon
August 11 – Santa Maria Speedway – Doug Nunes
August 18 – Perris Auto Speedway – Bobby Michnowicz
September 1 – Bakersfield Speedway – Civil War vs BCRA – Jarrett Kramer
September 15 – Perris Auto Speedway – Glenn Howard Memorial – Bobby Michnowicz
September 22 – Ventura Raceway – Bobby Michnowicz
September 29 – Bakersfield Speedway
October 13 – Route 66 Motorplex
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