VISALIA, Calif. — Local talent Jeffrey Pahule showed speed and track familiarity all night to win preliminary night one of the first installment of the K1 Race Gear Keith Kunz Motorsports Challenge presented by S2F TV.
It was his first with the POWRi Non-Wing Outlaw Micro League at Plaza Park Raceway.
Going through a strong split-field of 34 entries, Pahule set the quick qualifying time with a time of 11.335 seconds.
Pahule battled outside front-row contender Steven Snyder Jr. as the green flag waved with Pahule holding the front of the field around Plaza Park Raceway Snyder, Ashton Torgerson, Khloe Cotton and Teddy Bivert all stayed close inside the top five.
Rapid racing action encountering lapped traffic saw Pahule’s healthy lead nearly evaporate as Snyder attempted to run down the speedy leader with Kale Drake driving into the third position as Torgerson and Brecken Reese battled for fourth and fifth.
Bunching the field back together after a caution with seven laps remaining saw Pahule hold steady up front for his first career POWRi Non-Wing Outlaw Micro victory as Drake finished second. Snyder came home third.
“Getting through lapped traffic was a little sketchy with us all fighting for the same line,” said Pahule. “This feels great to be here and compete up front this close to home.”
Snow and Torgerson rounded out the top five.