MERCED, Calif. — Ryan Bernal won the 35-lap Sprint Car Challenge Tour Series 360 sprint car feature at Merced Speedway on Saturday night.
The Hollister, Calif., ace drove the No. 17wx for Matt Wood Racing after starting on the pole position.
Veteran Andy Forsberg challenged Bernal late in the race but had to settle for the runner-up spot, ahead of a fast-closing Colby Copeland. Tony Gomes and Mitchell Faccinto rounded out the top five.
Bernal and Corey Day paced the 24-car starting field to the green flag as Bernal took the early command. By lap four, the polesitter had begun lapping the rear of the field. Near the 10th circuit it would be Bernal and Day who looked strong while Forsberg slipped back.
While Bernal with Day in his tire tracks clicked off laps, a good battle was developing between Keith Day Jr and Gomes for fourth and fifth.
The two leaders continued to put cars a lap down however each pass took more effort as they encountered more competitive cars. This allowed for Forsberg to close in on the front two. Day put a move on leader Bernal after running side by side for the 17th circuit.
The young Day took the lead as Forsberg improved one spot taking over second. Day’s laps up front were short lived as he pulled off the track on lap 26 with a mechanical issue.
The race’s one and only yellow flag would wave on lap 27 for a Tim Kaeding spin in the second turn. With a double-file restart with Forsberg leading Bernal, Gomes, Copeland and Keith Day Jr., it would be Bernal who would charge from the outside and battle a bottom-feeding Forsberg. After running side by side for two full laps, Bernal took the top spot and drove to victory.
The finish:
Ryan Bernal, Andy Forsberg, Colby Copeland, Tony Gomes, Mitchell Faccinto, Shane Golobic, Sean Becker, Justin Sanders, Ryan Robinson, Tim Kaeding, Keith Day Jr., Max Mittry, Grant Dunkerkin, Chase Majdic, Landon Brooks, Caeden Steele, Tanner Carrick, D J Netto, Michael Pombo, Shane Hopkins, Corey Day, Isaiah Vasquez, Eric Humphries, Blake Carrick