9.29.12 California Lightning Sprints Results
Bobby Michnowicz continued his domination of the California Lightning Sprint Car Series when he won his third main event in a row when the group made its last 2012 appearance at Bakersfield Speedway last Saturday night. It took the veteran driver until race six to post his first win of 2012, but since then he has won six of the last nine races.
Competing on “The West’s Fastest 1/3 of a Mile Banked Banked Clay Oval,” the Lomita based racer waited until turn four on the final lap to take the lead and the eventual win. Northern California’s Doug Nunes was having everything go his was after taking the lead on the second lap. Nunes raced away from the field and was headed for a certain win before getting into a lapped car and spinning with two laps to go.
As the field circled the track waiting for the green, white checkered to end the main event, 2011 CLS Rookie of the Year Steve Limon of Corona was at the point. Northern California’s Brian Corso was second and Michnowicz was third. When the green light came back on, Michnowicz went to the top of the track. He took Corso for the runnerup spot going into turn three on the next to last lap. He kept it wide on the final circuit and in dramatic fashion got around Limon for the lead as they exited turn four and led the final half straight for the win. Limon got second with Corso finishing third. Placentia’s Dan Hillberg, who is second to Michnowicz in the championship chase, placed fourth. Northern California’s Cameron Beard, who won the BCRA race the previous week at Petaluma, was the hard charger of the night coming all the way from 16th to finish fifth.
Jeff Dywer, Darren Hillberg and Alex Grigoreas won the heat races to start the program.
With only three races left in the season, Michnowicz now leads Hillberg by 80-points in the championship chase. Limon is 32-points behind Hillberg and Guy Maresch of Anaheim Hills is 30 in back of Limon. Anaheim’s Dale Gamer remains fifth.
The next race for the CLS will be at the Route 66 Motorplex in Victorville on October 13th. The troop will then wrap up it’s 19th season at the 17th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway on November 2nd and 3rd.
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 (6th), 2. Steve Limon (9th), 3. Brian Corso (7th), 4. Dan Hillberg (3rd), 5. Cameron Beard (16th), 6. Doug Nunes (86th), 7. Guy Maresch (1st), 8. Zach Zauss (15th), 9. James McCauley (9th), 10. Dan Lancaster (13th), 11. Alex Grigoreas (10th), 12. Dale Gamer (14th), 13. Darren Hillberg (11th), 14. Marshall Sexton (17th), 15. Parker (19th), 16. Tom Downing (2nd), 17. Jeff Dyer (12th), 18. Damon Arnett (4th), 19. Dakota Albright (5th)
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Points
1. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 1966
2. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 1886
3. Steve Limon – Corona – 1854
4. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills – 1824
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 1616
6. Damon Arnett – San Diego – 1593
7. Zach Zauss – Murrieta – 1572
8. Darren Hillberg – Corona – 1400
9. Tom Downing – Lakewood – 1321
10. Jeff Dyer – La Verne – 1235
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 – Bobby Michnowicz
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