Indio teenager James Turnbull heads into Saturday's race at Ventura after recording a season-best second-place finish at Bakersfield two weeks ago. Pit Princess Photo.
Two-time CLS champion and current point leader Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley has dominated the action at the beachside track thus far in 2019. He won the first four races there before finishing sixth on August 24th. Local Cody Nigh of Camarillo took the win that night. Things returned to normal when Kramer bested the field again for his fifth Ventura win on September 7th.
Two weeks ago, at the Bakersfield Speedway, San Diego’s A.J. Bender passed five-time champion Bobby Michnowicz on the last lap for his first win of the year. Michnowicz, Lakewood’s Aiden Lange, CHP officer Jeff “Ponch” Dyer of Yucca Valley and Kramer rounded out the top five.
Through the first nine-races of the year, only three different drivers – Kramer, Michnowicz and Kingsburg’s Doug Nunes – had recorded wins. Things have gotten a lot more competitive lately with four different drivers – Kramer, Dyer, Nigh and Bender – have posted victories in the last five races.
This far Kramer still leads the series with six victories overall. Nunes has three and Michnowicz has two. Dyer, Nigh and Bender have one win each.
Heading into Saturday’s race, Kramer is starting to put the wraps on his third lifetime CLS championship and the first for the club under the POWRi banner. He will have a commanding 184-point lead over Nunes. Nigh is third in the standings, but Bender is only three-points behind and is breathing down his neck. Both have been closing in on Nunes in the fight for second overall. Palmdale’s Eric Greco is fifth.
San Diego’s Jason Arnolde already has the 2019 CLS Rookie of the Year Award locked up.
After the race on the 5th, there will only be two races left for the year.
Fans who would like to attend Saturday’s race in Ventura can find the track on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The track website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE.
POWRi Lucas Oil California Lightning Sprint Car Standings
- Jarrett Kramer – Spring Valley, CA – 1723
- Doug Nunes – Kingsburg, CA – 1539
3 Cody Nigh – Camarillo, CA - 1496
- A.J. Bender – San Diego, CA – 1493
- Eric Greco – Palmdale, CA – 1415
- Dominic Del Monte – Gardena, CA – 1370
- Aiden Lange - Lakewood, CA – 1351
- Bobby Michnowicz - Lomita, CA – 1275
- Jeff Dyer – Yucca Valley, CA – 1261
- Jon Robertson - Torrance, CA – 997
The POWRi Lucas Oil California Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank the following sponsors for helping make the 2019 season possible: Lucas Oil, All Coast Construction, Christian Stover Foundation, Circle Track Performance, Cold Fire West, Fast Undercar, Hoosier Tire, Keizer Wheels, Outlaw Wings, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Speed Partz, Super Shocks, T Shirts by Timeless and Woodland Auto Display.
If you or your company would like to become part of the series for its 26th season in 2019, please call Bobby Michnowicz at (310) 320-5569.
To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints/