BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Taking the lead in the last corner, Chase Johnson scored his first AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car win of the year at Bakersfield Speedway.
Making his first start in the May Motorsports No. 8m Fastenal / Coopers Propane Maxim, Johnson became the fourth driver to win using a 360 cubic-inch iron block engine.
Damion Gardner, fast-qualifier Brody Roa, Chris Gansen and Cody Williams followed Chase to the checkered flags.
Starting on the pole position, former Ascot racer Verne Sweeney led the opening four circuits. Troy Rutherford took over the top spot and led until contact with a slower car knocked both drivers out of the race.
With nine laps down, Gardner inherited the lead and looked for his second win in a row. Charging from 16th, Johnson had other ideas and scored his third career feature win with USAC/CRA.
Roa topped the night’s Woodland Auto Display Qualifying by posting a time of 13.223 over the 23-car roster.
The finish:Â
Feature (30 laps, with starting positions): 1. Chase Johnson (16), 2. Damion Gardner (3), 3. Brody Roa (6), 4. Chris Gansen (13), 5. Cody Williams (10), 6. Austin Williams (5), 7. Danny Faria Jr. (22), 8. Jake Hodges (8), 9. Steve Hix (14), 10. A.J. Bender (7), 11. Tommy Malcolm (18), 12. Austin Ervine (19), 13. Austin Grabowski (17), 14. Brent Owens (21), 15. Travis Buckley (20), 16. Ryan Timmons (11), 17. Ikaika O’Brien (9), 18. Logan Williams (15), 19. Troy Rutherford (4), 20. Verne Sweeney (1), 21. James Herrera (12), 22. Matt McCarthy (2).. NT
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