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DAVID GASPER WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR RACE
(Torrance, CA, July 25, 2022)
Two weeks ago when the California Lightning Sprint Car Series visited Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway, it took 23 laps for David Gasper to take the lead and win the main event. Last Saturday night at Ventura, it only took until turn two on the opening lap for Gasper to grab the top spot and then walk away for his fourth consecutive series win. The triumph gave the personable teen six wins in 11 CLS starts in 2022.


Winner David Gasper surrounded by second-place finisher Jeff Dyer (left) and third-place Cody Nigh. CLS photo.

Fourteen CLS drivers showed up for the race on the 1/5-mile oval on the pleasant night. Among the 14 were three champions who account for 33% of the titles in the clubs first 27-years. They were Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills, who has five titles, three-time champion Jarett Kramer of Spring Valley and defending king Gasper.

Yucca Valley’s Jeff Dyer was the fastest of the 14 in West Evans Motorsports Qualifying with a time of 12.246. Just a breath behind in second was Camarillo’s Cody Nigh who stopped the clocks at “The Best Little Dirt Track in America” with a 12.260 lap. Gasper was third, and right behind the lead duo at 12.316.

After starting third in the Extreme Muffler eight-lap heat race, Gasper steered his Kittle Motorsports/Certified Construction/Rattlesnake Ridge/Valley Precision Products/Martin Roofing/B2 Design/Hyper Race Cars/Saldana Race Products #18 to the win over Dyer and Michnowicz. Kramer, who was driving a team car owned by fellow series champion Michnowicz, thumped the field in the CSI Shocks heat race winning by nearly ½ track over “Rockstar” Jon Robertson of Torrance and Palmdale’s Eric Greco.

The lineup for the 11th CLS main event of the 2022 season saw Nigh on the pole with Gasper alongside. Ventura local Robb Pelmear sat on the inside of the second row with Dyer, who in nine previous CLS starts this year had only finished out of the top four once, next to him. Kramer and Gasper staffed row three.

When the field set sail, Nigh and Gasper were side-by-side into turn one. As they came off turn two, Gasper planted the “Kittle Blue” #18 into the lead. Nigh, Dyer, and Greco were second through fourth at the end of the first circuit. Michnowicz ended up being the biggest mover on lap one when he used the outside to go from eighth to fifth.

Gasper immediately put some distance between himself and the competition. He continued to move away until a lap seven yellow flag came out when Pelmear spun in turn two. The top five was in the exact same order for the restart as it was at the end of the opening circuit.

Once the race restarted, Dyer pushed his #4 to the inside of Nigh coming off turn two. He got a drive and took over the second-place spot. While Dyer was passing Nigh, Michnowicz went another route. He took to the outside and passed Greco for fourth entering turn one on lap eight. By the time Dyer and Michnowicz advanced their positions in the standings, the hard driving teen at the point had already begun reconstructing his previous advantage. By the time lap nine rolled around, it was nearly a half straightaway again.

Chris Kornder waved the second yellow flag of the event on lap 12 and once again, it briefly brought all the competition to Gasper’s rear end for the restart. This time the top five was a little shuffled up with Dyer second, Nigh third, Michnowicz fourth and Greco fifth. With Gasper gapping the field like usual when the race restarted, Michnowicz continued his march forward by passing Nigh for third on lap 13. However, that would prove to be the series all-time leading winners last hurrah on the night. His car seemed to slow on lap 16 and coming off turn two on the 17th go around, he fell dramatically off the pace bringing out a yellow flag. His night was done due to an overheating engine. To make matters worse for the team, a few laps from the finish, Kramer, who was in fourth, slowed in turn four and rolled to a stop with a blown fuse.

It was obvious that the only thing that could have beaten Gasper on the night was a tsunami rolling off the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, that did not happen and Gasper won the main event by nearly a half straightaway. Dyer maintained second with Nigh not far behind in third. Gardena’s Dominic Del Monte equaled his season best finish when he crossed the line in fourth. Greco ended up fifth.

Ventura’s Josh Hackett, making his third start with the CLS, won the Speed Mart/Advance Racing Suspension/Hepfner Racing Products Hard Charger Award coming home eighth after starting 14th.

Gasper increased his point lead to 39 markers. Dyer, who had gone from leading the points to third, moved up to the runner-up position with his second place finish. Greco is third but is only two points behind Dyer. Nigh sits fourth with his uncle, Michnowicz, in fifth.

Despite missing the race waiting to get his engine back, Will Browne of Glendora remains the leader in the Rookie of the Year chase. Fillmore’s Conner Speir, who dropped out of the main event early and finished 14th, is second to Browne. Despite his misfortune in the main, he cut Browne’s advantage to 40-points.

The CLS returns to action a week from Saturday on August 6th at the highly anticipated reopening of the Santa Maria Raceway. CLS officials are still collecting lap money for that race and three laps are still available. If you would like to purchase a lap (s), they are $50.00 each. You can use the contact information in this release for Jon Robertson to confirm payment or ask any questions.

After Santa Maria, the CLS is off until August 26th and 27th when the club journeys north to battle the BCRA on two of its local tracks, the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, and the Placerville Speedway. In addition to being the next two point paying races for the CLS, those two events will be rounds two and three of the annual Civil War Series.

Ventura Raceway July 23, 2022, Results

West Evens Motorsports Qualifying: 1. Jeff Dyer, 12.246, 2. Cody Nigh, 12.260, 3. Dave Gasper, 12.316, 4. Eric Greco, 12.331, 5. Dominic Del Monte, 12,417, 6. Jarrett Kramer, 12.444, 7. Robb Pelmear, 12.501, 8. Jon Robertson, 12.656, 9. Pat Kelley, 13.064, 10. Seth Dyer, 13.483, 11. Dale Gamer, 13.500, 12. Connor Speir, 13.519, 13. Bobby Michnowicz, 20.236, 14. Josh Hackett, No Time

Extreme Muffler Heat Race #1: 1. David Gasper, 2. Jeff Dyer, 3. Bobby Michnowicz, 4. Robb Pelmear, 5. Dominic Del Monte, 6. Dale Gamer, 7. Pat Kelley

CSI Shocks Heat Race #2: 1. Jarrett Kramer, 2. Jon Robertson, 3. Eric Greco, 4. Cody Nigh, 5. Seth Dyer, 6. Josh Hackett, 7.Connor Speir

25-Lap Main Event (With Starting Positions)
1. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA, 2nd
2. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 4th
3. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, 1st
4. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA, 9th
5. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, 6th
6. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, 10th
7. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, 7th
8. Josh Hackett, Ventura, CA, 14th
9. Dale Gamer, Anaheim, CA, 11th
10. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA,13th
11. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA, 5th
12. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, 8th
13. Robb Pelmear, Ventura, CA, 3rd
14. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, 12th

Lap Leaders: David Gasper, 1-25

Speed Mart/Advanced Racing Suspension/Hepner Racing Products Hard Charger: Josh Hackett, 14th-8th

Ventura Raceway July 23 Contingency Awards

Heat Race #1 – Extreme Muffler $50.00 Product Certificate – David Gasper

Heat Race #2 – Yoshimura R& D - $50.00 CSI Product Certificate – Jarrett Kramer

Saldana Racing Wild Card Award - $50.00 Saldana Race Products Certificate- Bobby Michnowicz

1st Place Main Event - Eibach Springs $100.00 Product Certificate – David Gasper

2nd Place Main Event - Vahlco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate – Jeff Dyer

3rd Place Main Event - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 Product Certificate – Cody Nigh

4th Place Main Event – Hyper Chassis $50 Product Certificate – Dominic Del Monte

5th Place Main Event – Smith Titanium $50.00 Product Certificate – Eric Greco

8th Place Main Event – BT Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate – Josh Hackett

10th Place Main Event – King Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate – Seth Dyer

Fast Qualifier - West Evans Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate – Jeff Dyer

Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate – Josh Hackett

Hard Charger - Advanced Racing Suspension $50.00 Product Certificate – Josh Hackett

Hard Charger – Hepfner Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate – Josh Hackett

Hard Luck Award – Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate – Connor Speir

1st Car Not On The Lead Lap – Rebel Gears 30% Off Coupon - Seth Dyer

California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings
1. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA, 1273
2. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, 1234
3. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, 1232
4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, 1155
5. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, 944
6. Will Browne, Glendora, CA, 854
7. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, 822
8. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, 814
9. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, 699
10. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA, 656

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.

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 – David Gasper

July 23 Ventura Raceway Winged – Dave Gasper

August 6 Santa Maria 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