This message was edited on
May 13, 2008 at
02:38:26 PM by Pete Curto
BACK TO BACK FOR MURPHY AT BAKERSFIELDMay 10, 2008
Clovis ace Peter Murphy earns another victory at Bakersfieldon a great and fast track. The race was on for the entire 30 laps with every green lap contested. Visalia hot shoe Greg Bragg led the way from his pole position for the first 2/3 of the event. Gilroy's Wes Gutierrez slid high and low to find away around the leader until he zigged to high and the third running Murphy zagged underneath for second place. Both Murphy and the ever aggressive Gutierrez chased the on the wheel Bragg until a lapper put the move on Bragg's 11 which allowed Murphy a break upon which he pounced.Bragg fought back but found it difficult while being challenged by Gutierrez. The 11 of Bragg was thwarted on his last lap bid to pass the ever tough Murphy by Gutierrez' own last lap pass, but Bragg was able to use a lap car to his benefit and re-pass the oo7 at the line. Murphy, Bragg and Gutierrez were perhaps fortunate as arguably the fastest car on the track was the flying 8 of Justyne Hamblin who flashed by on the right rear of Gutierrez.
Hamblin's effort was a testament to the drivers' toughness after the previous week's crash and the team in getting the bent car back up to speed. A short distant back was "Fast" Albert Pombo and a moving Jayson May who seems to get his early season mechanical issues worked out and recovered from an early race spin to find himself in the 6th spot. The "hard luck" award gets split 3 ways here. Davey Knott, after missing a race with the flu, had a tire go flat after pushing off for qualifying and then tagged the turn 3 wall after his rear brake rotor exploded, ruining his night and his car. In their heat Rusty Carlile and second fast qualifier Jonathon Logan came together side to side on the front straight destroying the 32's rear end, ending the 2nd place points contenders night and damaging Carlile's front suspension. Carlile's uncharacteristic troubles began during qualifying where a serious bicycle condition ruined his result forcing him to start at the rear of his heat. He then dropped out of the feature with mechanical problems.
Heat races were won by Pombo, Iturriria; and Gutierrez with Murphy earning another fast time. Murphy's victory coupled with Logan and Carlile troubles extended his points lead significantly. It also bunched up 2nd through 5th in points and allowed the charging and consistent Pombo to move to the 2nd spot and Carlile remains in 3rd while Logan slipped to 4th and Hamblin moves in closer in 5th.
Obviously didn't hide anyone as Scott Schweitzer's speedway saw a great crowd with many fans treated to a great program. The stands were packed with Carlile and May fans as they were fully supported by family and friends. Kirkbride, Iturriria and Day all treated the crowd to some great home grown entertainment.
A great big thanks to the Bakersfield Speedway management and staff (every single person) for putting on a great show and making the Bandits so welcomed at their track and doing what ever necessary to create a cooperative attitude and effort.
Also Congradulations to Danny Sheridan and the Kittle Brothers race team for their great USAC/CRA win. A little home cookin' helped get the ball rolling. Go get some mo...and welcome to Ludwig Solberg IV making his first Bandit start, nice to meet you and your family.
The Bandits will be invading Frank Dias fast Kings Speedway" the Place to Race" next Saturday May 17th 2008. We'll see you there...bring your friends and family!
Bakersfield Results May 10, 2008
Qualifying: F/T 21 Peter Murphy 13.049; 32 Jonathon Logan 13.154, 007 Wes Gutierrez 13.158; 62 Adam Frith-Smith 13.160; 11 Greg Bragg 13.175; 8 Justyne Hamblin 13.337; 35A Albert Pombo 13.405; 27 John Iturriria 13.626; 51T Jeff Gardner 13.638; 8M Jayson May 13. 643; 25 Jared Little 13.705; 97 Matt Day 13.811; 13 Ludwig Solberg IV 14.059; 51 Rusty Carlile 14.069; 28 Davey Knott N/T; 87 Ricky Kirkbride N/T
Heat 1: 35 Pombo; 8m May; 21 Murphy; 87 Kirkbride; 13 Solberg; 62 Frith-Smith
Heat 2: 27 Iturriria; 11 Bragg; 25 Little; 32 Logan; 51 Carlile
Heat 3: oo7 Gutierrez; 51T Gardner; 8 Hamblin; 97 Day; 28 Knott
Feature: 21 Murphy; 11 Bragg; oo7 Gutierrez; 8 Hamblin; 35A Pombo; 8M May; 97 Day; 51T Gardner; 13 Solberg IV; 25 Little; 27 Iturriria; 62 Frith-Smith; 51 Carlile; 87 Kirkbride; 32 Logan (DNS); 28 Knott (DNS)
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