In a repeat performance of the 2011 California Lightning Sprint Car Series season opening race, Lomita, California teenager Kevin Michnowicz walked away from the competition to win the 2012 season opener in the Sokola Shootout last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.
Before a large crowd on the chilly Southern California evening, Michnowicz began the 20-lap main on the outside the third row in his black Henchraft powered Kawasaki. When starter Kevin Winters opened the festivities with the green flag, Corona, California veteran Darren Hillberg leapt from his outside from row starting position and into the lead over Dale Gamer of Anaheim and Lake Elsinore’s Ryan Sherman. By the time the first circuit came to a conclusion, Michnowicz had passed four cars and found himself in second.
Michnowicz’ father Bobby seemed to be equally fast. He started the 20-lapper one spot behind his son and drove his way to third on lap two. However, by the end of that lap an oil line came loose and he coasted to the infield in a ball of smoke and a last place finish. One circuit later, impressive 16-year old Alexander Bissett, who finished third in points in 2011 and had earlier in the evening won his heat race, slowed on the track and was done for the night.
At the front, Hillberg, 43, who won his first race ever at The PAS last July, was setting a quick pace, but Michnowicz was slowly inching closer. Coming off the second turn on lap seven Michnowicz made his move. The lead duo almost got together, but as they went down the back stretch, Michnowicz took the top spot. Things went from good to bad in a hurry for Hillberg as a few seconds after losing the lead, he flipped hard in turn one ending his night. Fortunately he crawled out of his bent racecar uninjured.
Once racing resumed, the handwriting was on the wall for the drivers in the main event. Barring mechanical problems or a crash, Michnowicz was going to win. Spring Valley’s Jarrett Kramer, the 2010 CLS champion, took the second spot from Gamer on the restart after the Hillberg flip. The 28-year-old veteran held that spot until relinquishing it to 2011 CLS Rookie of the Year Steve Limon of Corona. Limon had started the main event on the inside of the second row, but the car did not go at the initial green flag and he dropped back in the field. Throughout the race, the father to be was clawing his way back towards the front of the pack and eventually took second from Kramer.
When the checkered flag signaled the end, it was Michnowicz with a convincing full straightaway lead over Limon. Placentia veteran Dan Hillberg ended up third with Kramer fourth and Gamer fifth.
James McCauley came from 16th all the way to 7th in the main event and won the Oil Twins Amsoil Hard Charger Award.
Twenty-one CLS cars were in the pits to start the night and they made for a healthy three heat races. Bissett won the first of the six lappers with Bobby and Kevin Michnowicz taking the last two.
The CLS will get this Saturday night off before making what could be their biggest appearance ever along with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars at the “NAPA Know How So Cal Showdown” at The PAS on March 10th.
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. Kevin Michnowicz (6th); 2. Steve Limon (3rd); 3. Dan Hillberg (35th); 4. Jarrett Kramer (12th); 5, Dale Gamer (4th); 6. Guy Maresch (11th); 7. James McCauley (16th); 8. Damon Arnett (17th); 9. Ryan Sherman (1st); 10. Gabriella Robles (10th); 11. Tom Downing (13th); 12. Chris Watkins (14th); 13. Donna Kotlinski (9th); 14. Jon Simms (20th); 15. Darren Hillberg (2nd); 16. Zach Zauss (19th); 17. Alexander Bissett (8th); 18. Bobby Michnowicz (7th)
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Points
1. Kevin Michnowicz – Lomita, CA – 140
2. Steve Limon – Corona – 130
3. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 125
4. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 115
5. Jarrett Kramer – Spring Valley – 114
6. Guy Maresch – 106
7. James McCauley – 103
8. Damon Arnett – San Diego – 98
9. Ryan Sherman – Lake Elsinore – 92
10. Gabriella Robles – Nuevo – 86
2012 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule
February 25 – Perris Auto Speedway – Sokola Shootout – Kevin Michnowicz
March 10 – Perris Auto Speedway – w/World of Outlaws NAPA Know How SoCal Showdown
March 17 – Bakersfield Speedway
March 31 – Perris Auto Speedway
April 14 – Bakersfield Speedway
April 28 – Perris Auto Speedway
May 12 – Bakersfield Speedway
May 26 – Perris Auto Speedway – Salute to Indy
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 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
2011 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Final Point Standings
1. Tim Brown – Wildomar – 2489
2. Jarrett Kramer – Spring Valley – 2281
3 Alexander Bissett – Hemet – 2143
4. Dan Hillberg – Placentia – 2008
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 1975
6. Stephen Limon – Corona – 1917
7. Paul Krueger – Buena Park – 1909
8. Dan Lancaster – Imperial Beach – 1892
9. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills – 1847
10. Darren Hillberg – Corona – 1816
11. Bobby Michnowicz – Lomita – 1445
12. Dawn Sparland – San Marcos – 1233
13. John Sparland – San Marcos – 1139
14. Kevin Michnowicz – Lomita – 1110
15. Jacob Will – Carlsbad – 1065
16. Donna Kotlinski – Nuevo – 657
17. Jim Squire – Lakeside – 486
18. Tom Downing – Lakewood – 460
19. Gabby Robles – Nuevo – 449
20. Zach Zauss – Murrieta – 440
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