GASPER INCREASES HIS LEADS IN THE CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SERIES AND CIVIL WAR SERIES (Torrance, CA, September 28, 2022) In 2021, rookie driver David Gasper made a late-season rush to win the California Lightning Sprint Car Series and Civil War Series titles. In 2022, the Santa Barbara, California racer is starting to pull away from the competition in both series as the season hits the home stretch. Last Saturday at the Bakersfield Speedway, the teenage star scored his series-leading seventh win of the year. Seven-time 2022 winner David Gasper (center) poses withrunner-upp Bobby Michnowicz (right) and third-place Jeff Dyer at Bakersfield. CLS photo. A fine field of 24 cars showed up for the fourth of five races in the Civil War Series and the first on CLS’s home turf. The fans got an early glimpse of what was going to happen in the main event when the fastest three cars in qualifying – Gasper, Bobby Michnowicz, and Jeff Dyer – later finished in the top three spots in the 25-lap main event. Gasper was the quickest at 13.825. Michnowicz, who lives in Oak Hills, was second fastest at 13.937 and Yucca Valley’s Dyer clocked in third at 13.987. Palmdale’s Eric Greco, who is second to Gasper in both CLS and Civil War points, captured Extreme Muffler Heat #1 ahead of Glendora rookie Will Browne and Gasper. That was the only time Gasper did not lead all night. BCRA regular Dakota Albright of Waterford, who is getting married this week, won the Yoshimura R & D second heat race by beating Michnowicz and Lakewood’s Aiden Lange to the stripe. The third eight lapper, which was sponsored by Jake Swanson Shock Technology, went to BCRA’s Greg Dennett. Camarillo’s Gage Cheek was second behind the Livermore driver with three-time CLS champion Jarrett Kramer of Spring Valley third. Gasper, in his familiar blue #18 that is sponsored by Kittle Motorsports/Certified Construction/Rattlesnake Ridge/Valley Precision Products/Martin Roofing/B2 Design/Hyper Race Cars/Saldana Race Products #18, sat on the pole for the main event. Indio’s James Turnbull, who was making his second start in the potent Mike Schweitzer #41, was alongside. The second row was made up of teammates Kramer and Michnowicz with Dyer and Browne in row three. Gasper got the jump on the field as they came down to take the green flag to start the race. Turnbull got sideways on the front chute and before he could recover had slipped back to sixth. Kramer staffed the second-place spot with Albright third at the end of the first circuit. Things went fast for two laps before a yellow came out on lap three when Chino’s Pat Kelly slid to a stop on the front straight. For the restart, it was Gasper, Kramer, Albright, Michnowicz, and Dyer. Gasper got a great restart and put some distance between himself and second-place Kramer. While the field was mostly comprised of bottom feeders, veteran Michnowicz was running the top. That paid big dividends on lap five when he blew by Albright and Kramer in one corner to go from fourth to second. Two laps later the festivities came to a screeching halt again when Citrus Heights driver Scott Kinney slowed on the front straightaway bringing out another yellow flag. The race restarted with 20-laps to go and Michnowicz was planted firmly on Gasper’s rear end. Albright was in third, with Kramer in fourth and Dyer in fifth. Gasper and Michnowicz pulled away from the field on the restart and Dyer quickly went from fifth to third. However, he was nearly a half straight behind the lead duo. Michnowicz dove to the inside in turn three on lap seven and nearly pulled off the slider but Gasper was more than equal to that challenge and pulled away. While watching Michnowicz try to catch and pass Gasper was exciting, the best battle on the track featured Dyer, Albright, and Kramer. They were having a literal war for third. However, like earlier, another yellow flag slowed the proceedings on lap 12. By that time, Gasper had a half-straight advantage over Michnowicz and was just about to encounter lapped traffic. This time when the race restarted, Michnowicz threw it hard in turn one and got a great run down the back chute. He dove to the inside in turn three and threw a big slider on Gasper for the lead. However, he carried so much momentum into the corner, he slid to the top coming off four, and got into the fluff. That allowed Gasper to dive underneath and reclaim his lofty position at the head of the pack. The loss of momentum saw Gasper pull away. It also allowed Dyer to dive to the inside of Michnowicz and pull even with him going into turn one on the next go around. Michnowicz, still on the wide line, fought off the advances and maintained second. Gasper had built up a good size lead, but Michnowicz would not give in. He continued to terrorize his right rear tire in an effort to catch back up to the leader. If he was going to have a chance, he was probably going to need a favor from lapped traffic. That scenario began to play out at the start of lap 18 when Gasper caught the first lapper. The lappers all cooperated with the leader and kept it low allowing Gasper to maintain a half-straight lead. While it seemed cut and dried that Gasper was going to snag the win, suddenly Dyer came calling on Michnowicz. He pulled to the inside in turn one on the 24th lap and momentarily poked his nose ahead of the five-time champion. However, Michnowicz got a nice drive off two and fended off his pursuer. It was too late for Michnowicz to take another shot at the leader who carried a half-straight lead all the way to the checkers. Michnowicz placed second with Dyer, Kramer, and Albright rounding out the top five. The Speed Mart/Advanced Racing Suspension/Hepfner Racing Hard Charger award went to Elk Grove’s Matt Land who started 21st and finished eighth. With the season quickly dwindling down, Gasper will take a comfortable 80-point lead over Greco in the championship standings when the CLS goes to the Mohave Valley Raceway for a show that is being co-sanctioned by the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series on October 8th. Camarillo’s Cody Nigh is third but is only two points ahead of Dyer. Michnowicz rounds out the top five. Browne reclaimed the lead in the Rookie of the Year battle and will lead Fillmore’s Connor Speir by 24-points going into the race in the “Copper State.” Gasper’s chances of winning the “Civil War Series” for the second consecutive year look strong, He will have a 63-point lead heading into the finale at Bakersfield on November 15th. Michnowicz, Browne, and Nigh make up third through fifth in the CWS. West Evens Motorsports Qualifying: 1. David Gasper, 13.825; 2. Bobby Michnowicz, 13.937; 3. Jeff Dyer, 13.987; 4. Will Browne, 14.025; 5. James Turnbull, 14.103; 6. Jarrett Kramer, 14.109; 7. Brandon Leedy, 14.177; 8. Dakota Albright, 14.244; 9. Cody Nigh, 14.257; 10. Eric Greco, 14.264; 11. Harlee Aguilera, 14.276; 12. Connor Speir, 14,296; 13. Leland Day, 14.296; 14. Aiden Lange, 14.331; 15. Greg Dennett, 14.478; 16. Dominic Del Monte, 14,658, 17. Jon Robertson, 14.806; 18. Gage Cheek, 14.911; 19. Mark Henry, 14.969; 20. Seth Dyer, 15.197; 21. Pat Kelley, 15.214; 22. Jacob Magallanes, 15.285; 23. Scott Kinney, No Time; 24. Matt Land No Time Extreme Muffler Heat #1 (8 Laps): 1. Greco; 2. Browne; 3. Gasper; 4. Leedy; 5. Day; 6. Henry; 7. Magallanes; 8. Del Monte Yoshimura R & D Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Albright; 2. Michnowicz; 3. Lange; 4. Turnbull; 5. Robertson; 6. Aguilera; 7. Seth Dyer; 8. Kinney Jake Swanson Shock Technology Heat #3 (8 Laps): 1. Dennett; 2. Cheek; 3. Kramer; 4. Jeff Dyer; 5. Speir; 6. Land; 7. Nigh; 8. Kelley Main Event (25 Laps With Starting Positions and Difference) 1. David Gasper, Santa Barbara, CA, (1st) 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, -1.861 (4th) 3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, -2,998 (5th) 4. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA, -3.763 (3rd) 5. Dakota Albright, Waterford, CA, -4.270 (7th) 6. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA, -4.560 (8th) 7. Greg Dennett, Livermore, CA, -7.406 (9th) 8. Matt Land, Elk Grove, CA, -8.198 (21) 9. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, -9.313 (13th) 10. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA, -10.515 (11th) 11. Will Browne, Glendora, CA, -11.328 (6th) 12. Gage Cheek, Camarillo, CA, 11.745(12th) 13. Harlee Aguilera, Orangevale, CA, -14.305 (14th) 14. Connor Speir, Fillmore, CA, -14.555 (15th) 15. Brandon Leedy, Placerville, CA, -14.594 (10th) 16. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, -1 Lap (18th) 17. Jacob Magallanes, Pasadena, CA –1 Lap (24th) 18. Seth Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA, -1 Lap (23rd) 19. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA, -14 Laps (16th) 20. Scott Kinney, Citrus Heights, CA, -20 Laps (22nd) 21. James Turnbull, Indio, CA, -23 Laps (2nd) 22. Mark Henry, Rosamond, CA, -23 Laps (19th) 23. Pat Kelley, Chino, CA, - 24 Laps (20th) 24. Dominic Del Monte, Gardena, CA, - 24 Laps (17th) Bakersfield CLS Contingency Awards Heat Race #1 – Extreme Muffler $50.00 Product Certificate – Eric Greco Heat Race #2 – Yoshimura R & D - $50.00 CSI Product Certificate – Dakota Albright Heat Race #3 – Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50.00 Product Certificate – Greg Dennett 1st Place Main Event - Eibach Springs $100.00 Product Certificate – David Gasper 2nd Place Main Event - Vahlco Wheels $50.00 Product Certificate – Bobby Michnowicz 3rd Place Main Event - Jake Swanson Shock Technology $50 Product Certificate – Jeff Dyer 4th Place Main Event – Hyper Chassis - $50 Product Certificate – Jarrett Kramer 5th Place Main Event – Smith Titanium Product Certificate – Dakota Albright 10th Place Main Event – King Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate – Aiden Lange Fast Qualifier - West Evans Motorsports $25.00 Product Certificate – David Gasper Hard Charger - Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate – Matt Land Hard Charger - Advanced Racing Suspension $50.00 Product Certificate – Matt Land Hard Charger – Hepfner Racing Products $25.00 Product Certificate – Matt Land Hard Luck Award – Speed Mart $25.00 Product Certificate – Dominic Del Monte 1st Car Not On The Lead Lap – Rebel Gears 30% Off Coupon - Jon Robertson California Lightning Sprint Car Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper – 1796 2. Eric Greco – 1716 3. Cody Nigh – 1601 4. Jeff Dyer – 1599 5. Bobby Michnowicz – 1487 6. Will Browne – 1280 7. Connor Speir – 1256 8. Jon Robertson – 1026 9. Pat Kelley – 973 10. Dominic Del Monte – 696 Civil War Series Point Standings 1. David Gasper – CLS – 514 2. Eric Greco – CLS – 451 3. Bobby Michnowicz – CLS – 433 4. Will Browne – CLS - 420 5. Cody Nigh – CLS – 385 6. Greg Dennett - BCRA - 383 7. Dakota Albright – BCRA – 358 8. Harlee Aguilera – BCRA – 331 9. Matt Land – BCRA – 329 10. Brandon Leedy – BCRA - 302 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 – Brent Sexton August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged – Civil War #2 – Connor Spier August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged – Civil War #3 – Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 10 Lemoore Raceway Winged – Bobby Michnowicz Sept. 24 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – Civil War #4 – David Gasper October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway Winged – With SWLS October 29 Ventura Raceway Winged Nov. 15 Bakersfield Speedway Winged – With USAC Midgets - Civil War #5 Nov. 17 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 18 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points Nov. 19 Placerville Speedway Non-Wing – With USAC Midgets - No Points *Non Points Race 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