HANFORD, Calif. — The third year of IMCA Speedweeks in California opened at Keller Auto Speedway, as Bobby Hogge IV won the first of six races in the series.
Hogge IV took the lead on the start from his outside front row redraw spot, and dominated the main event despite several yellows giving his closest contenders an opportunity.
The last yellow with five laps remaining led to one lap of side-by-side pressure from Cody Laney, but Hogge IV shook off that effort to take the win.
Jason Pike, Robby Sawyer, Laney and Jerry Flippo formed the top five.
The stock cars ran 20 laps with nobody seemingly wanting to lead initially. Brock Hamilton led the first lap, but got out of shape in turn four on the second lap and Chad Johnson took over.
Turn four again didn’t work for the leader and Johnson spun after leading a lap to put Hamilton back in front.
The second time in the lead worked out well for Hamilton and he led the final 18 laps with light pressure. Garrett Corn was second while Loren DeArmond was third. Troy Foulger and Dakota Schweitzer completed the top-five.
Sport mods also ran twenty laps and Fred Ryland cruised in the lead during the first half, but things were different the last half. Pressure was constant and peaked in the final five laps.
Tyler Bannister raced Ryland side-by-side a few laps until a turn four slider heading to the white flag saw Bannister edge Ryland at the line. Bannister would hold on for the final lap to win.