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LOPICCOLO TAKES 2ND BAKERSFIELD NMRA-TQ MIDGET FEATURE – By Tim Kennedy
Bakersfield, CA., Aug. 20 – Anthony Lopiccolo, a 25-year old from Brea, won his second consecutive NMRA-TQ Midget Series feature Saturday at the third-mile, clay Bakersfield Speedway. Driving his father Paul's No. 21 Rick Stewart/Honda 750cc, the 2007 TQ rookie of the year led all 20 laps. His fifth main event victory in a five year TQ career repeated his Bakersfield triumph two weeks ago. Lopiccolo, who is from a long-time racing family, moved from eighth to sixth in current points, despite attending only five of the eight series races this year.
Runner-up Chuck West (Evans No. 38 Stealth/750cc Suzuki) came from fourth grid position to place second. His 62 points moved him from second to first in 2011 points standings. Series 2010 driving and car owner champion West Evans (own No. 36 Spike/Bob Wirth 750cc Suzuki) started and finished third. He climbed from third to second in points (464-455). He is only nine points in back of his teammate and first cousin West, a three-time NMRA champion. Pole starter Ron Ahrendt finished fourth, with USAC Midget veteran Chase Barber, 23, driving the No. 18 Stewart/Honda from sixth to fifth.
First-time TQ driver Joey Yantis started last and placed sixth on the lead lap. Michael Black (15 laps) and Brian Baker (13 laps) were non-finishers in the eight car field. Prior point leader baker, the 2010 TQ rookie of the year, slipped from first to third in points with 449, only 15 in back of new series West. The TQs were part of a multi-division stock car division program. Evans and Lopiccolo won the pair of eight-lap heat races after starting second and first respectively. All starters finished every lap in both heats.
Summary:
Heat 1 – West Evans, Ron Ahrendt, Brian Baker, Joey Yantis.
Heat 2 – Anthony Lopiccolo, Chuck West, Chase Barber, Michael Black.
Main – Lopiccolo, West, Evans, Ahrendt, Barber, Yantis, Black, Baker.
POINT STANDINGS:
Drivers Car Owners
1 Chuck West 464 1 West Evans 38 488
2 West Evans 455 2 West Evans 36 479
3 Brian Baker 449 3 Brian Baker 473
4 Ron Ahrendt 423 4 Ron Ahrendt 447
5 Dakota Schweitzer 370 5 Steve Parke 391
6 Anthony Lopiccolo 286 6 Adam Baker 356
7 Scott Dobson 285 7 Scott Dobson 355
8 Adam Baker 284 8 Paul Lopiccolo 301
9 Michael Black 249 9 Michael Black 267
10 Dave Lambert 177 10 Dave Lambert 229
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