This message was edited on
May 09, 2008 at
03:16:16 PM by Pete Curto
Bandits at BakersfieldMay 10, 2008
The Bandit Sprint Car Series will be entering its sixth event of the season and final stop prior to the July 28th Grand Slam event in Bakersfield this week-end. The venerable Bakersfield Speedway is hosting the second of three wingless sprint car events this season. With an ever growing open wheel fan base at the center of California's stock car universe it there is every indication of more events at the famed raceway. Bakersfield ironically has been home for some of open wheeled histories greatest legends including Indy legends Rick Mears and Rodger Ward (ironically both born in Kansas) with 6 victories between them!
Currently the Bakersfield area is home to current Bandits Rusty Carlile, John Iturriria, Ricky Kirkbride, Matt Day and Jayson May (Taft). Carlile is currently third in points within reach of the lead this long season in spite of a devastating crash earlier this year. The brilliant red 51 has a stellar crew who completely rebuilt the car and had it running in top form the very next race and there after. The white 27 car of John Iturriria is 8th in points as a driver but he unselfishly put Bandit champion Davey Pombo behind the wheel for one event as a car owner, so he could easily be higher in the standings.
The series is also headed by a banner crop of young Banditos aiming to shot down point leader Peter Murphy's of Clovis early season domination. So far Murphy's black 21 has two wins and no finishes outside of the top 8 through the first 5 events. Among the young shoes are feature winners Richard VanderWeerd and Michael Faccinto (the other black 21). Albert Pombo, Justyne Hamblin, Jace VanderWeerd, Jared Little, Wes Gutierrez, Adam Frith-Smith, John Niggli, Bakersfield's Kirkbride and the 18 year old (at heart) Rick Eberhardt are all in contention for top finishes when ever they push off for an event.
Veteran and former champion Jonathon Logan is currently perched in second place waiting for the opportunity to pounce on the lead should the opportunity arise. Justine Hamblin, coming off a devastating qualifying accident last weekend at Santa Maria is looking to bounce back with a win in Bakersfield. Also looking to make rebounds is Kevin Barnes and Jayson May who have battled mechanical woes that kept them from competition this past event along with the popular Davey Knott. Fresno's Jeff Gardner is eager to improve upon his 4th place position at the Bakersfield opener earlier this season.
We'll see you amongst your friends at Bakersfield Speedway this Saturday night!
Top 15 Driver Points
1) 21 Peter Murphy 242
2) 32 Jonathon Logan 191
3) 51 Rusty Carlile 188
4) 35A Albert Pombo 180
5) 8 Justyne Hamblin 164
6) 10 Richard VanderWeer <R> 160
7) 4 Rick Eberhardt <R> 151
8) 36B Kevin Barnes 144
8) 27 John Iturriria 144
10) 88V Jace VanderWeer <R> 137
11) 28 Davey Knott 135
12) 51T Jeff Gardener 115
13) 25 Jared Little <R> 114
14) 62 Adam Frith-Smith 112
15) 007 Wes Gutierrez <R> 107
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