CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS
22126 South Vermont, Unit A
Torrance, CA 90502
(310) 320-5569
http://www.calightningsprints.com/
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bobby Michnowicz (310) 320-5569
For Immediate Release
GRIGOREAS BACK ON TOP OF POINTS AS LIGHTNING SPRINTS HEAD TO BAKERSFIELD!
(Torrance, CA, June 8, 2016) This Saturday night, June 11th, the California Lightning Sprint Car Series will return to “The West’s Fastest 1/3 of a Mile High Banked Clay Oval,” the Bakersfield Speedway, for the third of four appearances in 2016. Joining the CLS on the program will be the Sportmods, Pro Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Mod Lites and the Race Saver Sprint Cars. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM and the first race will be at 6:00.
Upland’s Alex Grigoreas regained the lead in the CLS championship point standings two weeks ago at Perris Auto Speedway when Corona’s Darren Hillberg missed the race while on vacation. Going into Saturday’s race on the longtime Kern County track, veteran Grigoreas has a 60-point lead over 2015 “Rookie of the Year” Pat Kelley of Chino. San Bernardino’s James Heling, who led the standings for two races earlier in the year, is third. Hillberg and Victorville’s Jeff Dyer round out the top five.
Three-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz of Lomita, who sat out the Perris race due to engine issues, but who will be back in action on Saturday, won the first race at Bakersfield on March 19th. Madera’s Charlie Caraccilo won his first ever CLS main event when the series visited the track on April 30th.
Grigoreas is still the only driver in the CLS with more than one win this year. The talkative racer has three victories, but has not won since April 16th. Besides Michnowicz and Caraccilo, other winners this year are Kelley and Kingsburg’s Doug Nunes.
In the battle for the 2016 “Rookie of the Year” award, Lakewood teen Wyatt Downing is in the top spot and has a 24-point advantage over fellow Lakewood teenager Aiden Lange. Camarillo’s Cody Nigh, who attends San Diego State University, is third in the freshman class standings.
After Saturday’s battle in “Bako,” the CLS will take a couple of weeks off before their season reaches the midway point at Perris on July 2nd.
California Lightning Sprint Car Series Points
1. Alex Grigoreas – Upland 812
2. Pat Kelly – Chino - 752
3. James Heling – San Bernardino - 722
4. Darren Hillberg – Corona - 692
5. Jeff Dyer – Victorville - 684
6. Dale Gamer – Anaheim – 647
7. Jon Robertson - Torrance - 629
8. Wyatt Downing - Lakewood – 561
9. Aiden Lange – Lakewood - 537
10. Cody Nigh – Camarillo - 502
The California Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank the following sponsors for helping make the 2016 season possible: Christian Stover Foundation, Circle Track Performance, Cold Fire West, DK Fabrication, Extreme Muffler, Fast Undercar, Hoosier Tire, Keizer Wheels, Lucas Oil, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Rosson Racing, Saldana Race Products, Sander Engineering, Speedmart, Speed Partz, Surf N’ Sprint, Super Shocks, T Shirts by Timeless, Woodland Auto Display.
If you or your company would like to become part of the series for the 2016 season, please call Bobby Michnowicz at: (310) 320-5569.
To keep up with the CLS on line, please visit the web site at: http://www.calightningsprints.com/index.html
2016 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule
March 5: Imperial Valley Raceway - El Centro, CA – Alex Grigoreas March 19: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA – Bobby Michnowicz April 2: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA – Alex Grigoreas April 16: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA – Alex Grigoreas April 30: Bakersfield Raceway - Bakersfield, CA – Charlie Caraccilo May 14: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA – Pat Kelley May 28: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Salute To Indy) – Doug Nunes June 11: Bakersfield Raceway - Bakersfield, CA (BoD & General Membership Meeting) July 2: Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA (Firecracker) July 9: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA August 3: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (Ventura County Fair) August 20: Santa Maria Raceway - Santa Maria, CA September 3: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA (BoD & General Membership Meeting) September 17: Bakersfield Raceway - Bakersfield, CA October 1: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA October 15: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA October 29: Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA November 13: **General Membership Meeting / 2017 Rules Meeting November 19: **Imperial Valley Raceway - El Centro, CA ----------------------------------------------- **=Proposed Date. This schedule is subject to change. Civil War Dates TBD
PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS
1994 Tony Everhart
1995 Gary Sexton
1996 Rob Sczymczak
1997 Jon Rahe
1998 Chris Rahe
1999 Brent Sexton
2000 Greg Bragg
2001 Greg Bragg
2002 Greg Bragg
2003 David Cardey
2004 Keith Janca
2005 Johnny Bates
2006 Donny Gansen
2007 Shane Rossen
2008 Brent Sexton
2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr.
2010 Jarrett Kramer
2011 Tim Brown
2012 Bobby Michnowicz
2013 Stephen Limon
2014 Bobby Michnowicz
2015 Bobby Michnowicz
This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768
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