LIGHTNING SPRINTS TAKE HOT POINT BATTLE TO VENTURA RACEWAY (Torrance, CA, July 5, 2022) When the California Lightning Sprint Car Series returns to Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway this Saturday, July 9th, it is bringing along a torrid battle for the lead in the championship point standings. First-place Eric Greco has a mere four-point lead over David Gasper going into the race. If that is not tight enough, third-place Jeff Dyer is only 21-points behind Gasper, and fourth-place Cody Nigh is 30-points behind Dyer. Eric Greco leads the CLS points heading into this week's race at Ventura. Saturday’s program at the track known as “The Best Little Dirt Track In America,” will be the fifth of the year at the beachside Oval for the CLS. Thus far, only one driver, defending series champion Gasper, has won more than once on the 1/5 of a mile track this year. The Santa Barbara, California 16-year-old has taken the Chris Kornder checkered flag twice. The first time was on April 30th, and the last was two weeks ago, on June 25th. Current point leader Greco, who lives in Palmdale, and five-time series champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills, have one win each. David Gasper leads the CLS with four main event wins in 2022 including two at Ventura. Gasper, who also tops the series with four wins this year, led the June 25th race at Ventura green to checkers. Michnowicz placed second and Greco was third. Yucca Valley’s Dyer, who came into that race leading the points standings, dropped out on a yellow after only two laps with a cut tire. Behind Gasper in the overall series win column for 2022 is San Diego’s, A.J. Bender. He has two triumphs and is the only other driver in the CLS with more than one victory this year. In addition to Michnowicz and Greco’s single victories, Grant Sexton of Lakeside has one win. As well as the CLS, the ICMA Modifieds, VRA Dwarf Cars, hobby stocks, NMRA ¾ Midgets, and motorcycles will also be in action on Saturday night. For fans who wish to see the show on Saturday, spectator gates at the Ventura Raceway will open at 3:00 PM. The first race will be at 5:30. Adult tickets are $18.00. For seniors 60 and over, military with ID, and students with ID it is $15. Kids 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The track website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. After Saturday’s race at Ventura, the CLS will return there on July 23rd for the third straight time. California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, 998 2. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA, 994 3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 974 4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, 943 5. Will Browne, Glendora, CA, 776 6. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, 735 7. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, 649 8. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, 643 9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, 492 10. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA, 432 CLS vs BCRA “Civil War Series” Points 1. David Gasper – CLS - 142 2. Dakota Albright – BCRA – 126 3. Eric Greco – CLS – 126 4. Will Browne – CLA 116 5. Harlee Aguilera – BCRA – 109 6. Cody Nigh – CLS – 104 7. Greg Dennett – BCRA – 100 8. Hunter Kinney – BCRA – 92 9. Matt Land – BCRA – 89 10. Tim Kinser - 83 The following companies have become marketing partners with the CLS in 2022. They have offered up more than $13,000.00 in contingencies that will be awarded on top of the regular racing purses and they will be paid out throughout the year. Yoshimura R&D, Hoosier Tires West, T-Shirts By Timeless, Extreme Mufflers, Saldana Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Speed Mart, Cold Fire West, West Evens Motorsports, RC Fuel Injection, Jake Swanson Shock Technology, Advanced Racing Suspensions, CSI Shocks, Eibach Springs, Triple X Race Components, King Racing Products, Hyper Racing Products, Rebel Gears, Vahlco Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, Fuel Safe Systems, MPI, Circle Track Performance, E-Z UP, Hepfner Racing, Smith Titanium, and Hoosier Speed. If you or your company would like to become a partner of the longtime racing organization, contact Jon Robertson via email at mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. http://rebelgears.com/http://rebelgears.com/2022 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 25 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – Grant Sexton April 2 Merced Speedway Non-Wing –– Civil War #1 – David Gasper April 16 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – A.J. Bender April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged (Make Up Main) David Gasper April 30 Ventura Raceway Winged – Bobby Michnowicz May 14 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – A.J. Bender May 21 Ventura Raceway Winged – Eric Greco June 11 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – David Gasper June 25 Ventura Raceway Winged – David Gasper July 9 Ventura Raceway Winged July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged – Civil War #2 August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged – Civil War #3 September 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged September 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – Civil War #4 October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged – With SWLS October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged November 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 November 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points November 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points November 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints 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, 2016 Bobby Michnowicz, 2017 Bobby Michnowicz, 2018 Jarrett Kramer, 2019 Jarrett Kramer, 2021 David Gasper This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com