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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| California Lightning Sprints Press Release |
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Rookie Contender Ashley Walker
Wins 1st Feature! |
| San Diego, CA October 5, 2002 - Ashley Walker jumped from
Rookie Of The Year contender to Main Event Winner as she sped away
from the field to her first CLS Feature Victory! After starting 4th
behind Greg Bragg, Steve Cardey and Ernie Bartley she took the lead
on the second lap and never looked back. David Cardey led the field of fast qualifyers with a 14.1 second lap (track record?). Over half the field qualified under 14.9 which was good enough for quick time a year ago! Brent Sexton won the first heat race ahead of Jim Henderson, Greg Bragg, Jonny Bates and Daren Hagen. Heat 2 went to Ernie Bartley ahead of Jesse Dean, Keith Janca, Ashley Walker and David Cardey. Josh Williams won heat 3 ahead of Chris Swanson, Gary Sexton, Lonnie Clabaugh and Steve Cardey. Seth Kramer edged Karl Benefeil at the finish line after a race-long battle to win the B Main. Dan Lancaster, James Squire and Paul Townsend made up the final transfer spots. The 20 car field went 4 abreast for 2 laps in a salute to the fans for their final appearance of 2002 at Barona Speedway. Once lined up, a five row invert drawn earlier in the evening left Ernie Bartley with the pole along side Steve Cardey. The red flag waved quickly for David Cardey as he flipped in turn 2 on the opening lap resulting in a complete restart. David was ok but would not make the restart. Ernie Bartley led the first lap ahead of Ashley Walker before caution flew as Jesse Dean developed engine trouble & coasted to a stop in turn 4. Upon the restart Ashley passed Bartley before the lap was complete. Greg Bragg, Chris Swanson and Steve Cardey followed. Gary Sexton passed Cardey on the next lap for 5th. The top of the field remained unchanged except for Ashley pulling further away until lap 10 when Daren Hagen passed both Gary Sexton and Chris Swanson. Hagen went on to pass Greg Bragg for 3rd before the white flag flew. Ashley Walker took the checkered flag with a huge lead over the field. Ernie Bartley's 2nd place car didn't pass the technical inspection resulting in a disqualification when his fuel sample turned up contaminated. Methanol can be contaminated & will test as such when a nozzle that has been used to pump race gas is used to pump methanol. Test your fuel before you use it. Daren Hagen move up to 2nd as a result earning him hard charger after starting 9th. Race Summary: Heat Race 1 Brent Sexton, Jim Henderson, Greg Bragg, Jonny Bates, Daren Hagen, Seth Kramer, Dan Lancaster, Jon Squire Heat Race 2 Ernie Bartley, Jesse Dean, Keith Janca, Ashley Walker, David Cardey, Karl Benefeil, Paul Townsend, Steve Nelson Heat Race 3 Josh Williams, Chris Swanson, Gary Sexton, Lonnie Clabaugh, Steve Cardey, James Squire, Steve Barnette B Main Seth Kramer, Karl Benefeil, Dan Lancaster, James Squire, Paul Townsend, Steve Nelson, Steve Barnette A Main Ashley Walker, Daren Hagen, Greg Bragg, Chris Swanson, Gary Sexton, Jonny Bates, Steve Cardey, Brent Sexton, Josh Williams, Lonnie Clabaugh, Jim Henderson, Seth Kramer, Paul Townsend, Karl Benefeil, James Squire, Dan Lancaster, Keith Janca, Jesse Dean, David Cardey |
