You can read the article of this past weeks race at www.sparkstribune.net and click on "local sports" tab. Theres a couple of cool pictures there. Later in the week you can see pictures from the nights event at www.lakemanphotos.photoreflect.com or www.latemodelracer.com Good luck to everyone. Later, #44 Brtent Sexton
Tribune/DanMcGee With so much close racing in Saturday's Mini Sprint Nationals, there was bound to be a lot of action. Here the car of Cody Anderlini is about to go airborne after being hit by Sam Corso and then running into the rear wheel of Robin Cully's racer.
By Dan McGee Special to the Tribune
FERNLEY - Headlining the final points race of the season at the Reno-Fernley Raceway, was the Best of the West Mini Sprint Nationals. Drivers from as far away as Washington state and San Diego were on hand as well as those that race in the BCRA Midget Light series.
For the Mini National racers, it was the second of their three-race series while the BCRA racers would crown their champion.
For Matt Sherman, who arrived second in the BCRA points, the night soured early when his engine gave up the ghost in hot laps. This put Jeff Griffin on the hot seat as the championship was his to lose.
In qualifying Griffin, who lives in St. Helena, Calif. set fast time of 16:65 seconds while Bakersfield's Brent Sexton posted a time of 16:95 seconds. With the invert Griffin started ninth while Sexton was on the pole.
Tribune/Dan McGee Bakersfield, Calif. driver Brent Sexton drove to victory in the Mini Sprint Nationals when he led the race from flag-to-flag.
"I never thought the race was going to end," Sexton said after winning the Mini Sprint feature. "I was impressed with the track and the class of drivers here. I also need to thank my sponsors, Sunset Glazing, Rosson Racing and Danny Clark's Snap On Tools."
His mention of the racing being a long, drawn out affair was true.
After a B main to set the final field, the 22-car field took the green.
Unfortunately Turn 2 turned out to be calamity corner. It took three tries to get the race started and ever time Sexton jumped into the lead, which kept him out of harm's way.
Chasing him at every green was Eric Drake and a pack of howling cars. After things got underway things got complicated.
The first caution came on lap six while the first race stopping red flag came was on lap 8 after Dan Gansen's car flipped three times in Turn 2. He was uninjured but the same couldn't be said for his car, which was finished for the night.
After the clean up Sexton and Drake took off again with Griffin now fifth.
Two laps later there was another red flag after Greg Bardonnex rolled his car with only the racer being damaged. Afterwards Kyle Kenover was sent to the pits for an infraction.
After that it appeared the race would go right to the checkered without another caution. Unfortunately, with two laps to go Rick Holbrook's engine exploded and caught fire.
Rushing to his aid, the safety crew first got Holbrook out of his car then made short work of the fire.
In the final shoot out, Sexton reached the checkered flag first followed by Brock Lemley and Griffin, who clinched the BCRA title.
Tribune/Dan McGee Using a fast, but careful drive, Jeff Griffin (50) was able to clinch the BCRA Midget Lights championship. Here is slipping by the car of Eric Drake (22).
