Spring Valley, California’s Jarrett Kramer got another step closer to winning his first ever California Lightning Sprint Car championship when he won his fourth main event of the season last Saturday night at the Bakersfield, Speedway. This Saturday, October 2nd, the series will return to its home track, Perris Auto Speedway.
Outside from row starter Guy Maresch of Anaheim Hills beat Anaheim’s Dale Gamer to turn one when starter James Hiler threw the green flag to start the Bakersfield main event. A.J. Bender, who came into the night second in points, started outside the third row. By the end of the opening circuit, the exciting Ramona teenage was all the way up to second.
Bender kept his charge going and chopped down the lead Maresch had established by the end of the second go’ round. At same time, first year CLS driver Peter Benker of El Cajon was up to third.
Bender was on a run and relieved Maresch of the lead coming off turn two on the third go round. Kramer, who started in the seventh row with his brother Seth, muscled his way into the top five on the fourth lap. One lap later he took the fourth spot from Placentia veteran Dan Hillberg.
While Kramer was picking off the traffic, Bender had built up a massive lead and by the halfway point of the 20 lapper, he was half a lap ahead of second place Maresch. Kramer took third from Benker on the 10th lap and got Maresch two circuits later for second.
Bender still had a half lap lead on lap 13 and with only seven laps to go, the only thing that was going to stand between him and his third CLS main event win of the year was a yellow or red flag. That is exactly what happened and culprit of the yellow flag was Bender himself when he slid to a stop in turn three. That put Kramer on the point for the restart.
Once the green came back out, Kramer streaked away from the field. The race stayed green until youngster Devin Hillberg of Corona got upside down on the front straight on lap 18 bringing out the red flag. He was uninjured and climbed out of the car to the cheers of the crowd. However, the car was bent and he was done for the duration.
On the restart, Dan Hillberg and Benker got by Maresch for second and third and had a fierce battle to the checkered. Kramer had a comfortable lead at the finish while Hillberg momentarily parked in turn three allowing Benker to slide by for second. Hillberg took third with Maresch and Bender rounding out the top five.
Earlier in the night, the Kramer brothers each won their respective heat race.
This Saturday’s race at Perris Auto Speedway will be the last wingless race of 2010. Kramer’s Bakersfield triumph gives him a 55-point advantage over Bender heading into Saturday’s race. Another Kramer strong performance this week and he will have one hand on the championship trophy. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM and the first race will be at 5:30.
The California Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to acknowledge the following sponsors for making the 2010 campaign possible. The Christian Stover Foundation, Performance by Rosson Racing, BK Wings, Circle Track Performance, Hoosier Tires and Accelerated Environmental Service. The club also picked an anonymous sponsor for the four Bakersfield races and would like to thank them as well. Anyone wishing to come on board as a series sponsor can call Brent Sexton at: (619) 454-6945.
For more information on this Saturday’s race or the 2010 California Lightning Sprint Car Series, contact Brent Sexton ((619) 454-6945 or sextonfire@cox.net) or Scott Daloisio (909 226-7768 or sdaloisiosports@aol.com).
MAIN EVENT FINISHING ORDER (with starting positions)
1. Jarrett Kramer (7th)
2. Peter Benker (3rd)
3. Dan Hillberg (4th)
4. Guy Maresch (2nd)
5. A.J. Bender (6th)
6. Seth Kramer (8th)
7. Austin Barnes (10th)
8. Dale Gamer (1st)
9. Devin Hillberg (9th)
10. Jacob Will (5th)
POINT STANDINGS
1. Jarrett Kramer – Spring Valley, CA – 2033
2. A.J. Bender – Ramona, CA – 1980
3. Bobby Bender – Ramona, CA – 1815
4. Dan Hillberg – Placentia, CA – 1711
5. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 1588
6. Guy Maresch – Anaheim Hills – 1586
7. Peter Benker – El Cajon – 1299
8. Seth Kramer – Spring Valley – 1297
9. Robert Wilhelm – El Cajon – 1210
10. Karl Von Yokes – Lakeside – 939
2010 CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SRPINT CAR MAIN EVENT WINNERS
Bobby Bender … 7
Jarrett Kramer … 4
A.J. Bender … 2
Johnny Bluntach … 1
Cory Ballard … 1
Dan Hillberg … 1
Donnie Ganson … 1
2010 CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE
October 2nd … Perris Auto Speedway
November 5th & 6th … Perris Auto Speedway (Oval Nationals)
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 Ganson
2007 Shane Rosson
2008 Brent Sexton
2009 Stuart Hielshier Sr.
2010 Jarrett Kramer