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Tyler Warner, Peter Benker, and Aiden Lange at Imperial Valley Raceway. Missy Benker Photo.

Leading the charge into Saturday’s race is Jeff Dyer, the California Highway Patrol officer and 2023 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series champion. Dyer, who captured the March 6th SCLS season opener at Imperial Valley Raceway, holds a slim 10-point advantage over David Taft, who answered back with a win the following night.

Warner Springs standout Shane Sexton sits third, just 20 points out of the lead. Defending series champion Peter Benker of Alpine ranks fourth with 444 points, while Lakeside veteran Brent Sexton, the 2022 POWRi Southwest champion, completes a stacked top five.

Two weeks ago, San Diego’s Parker Dumas snapped a 13-month winless drought with a thrilling victory over his twin brother, Ryan Dumas, in a winged main event at Barona. Dyer crossed the line third, followed by Shane Sexton and Taft.

Last season, there were three wingless races on the SCLS schedule. All three took place at Barona. Dyer claimed the first one on May 10^th. Ryan Dumas struck back on August 16th, and Tyler Warner capped the year with a breakthrough victory on October 11th—his first-ever lightning sprint triumph on the way to the Rookie of the Year Award.

Saturday’s card delivers a full-throttle program featuring IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, Pure Stocks, and Kids Classes—guaranteeing a packed night of edge-of-your-seat racing action.

Event Information:

Gates Open: 2:00 p.m.
Racing Starts: 6:00 p.m.
Adult Admission: $20.00
Kids (7–17): $10.00
Seniors, Military, EMTs: $10.00
Kids 6 & Under: FREE
Family Pack (2 Adults, 2 Kids): $50.00
Parking: Free

Following Saturday’s event, the stars and cars of the SCLS will take a brief hiatus before returning to Barona for the two-night “Race For Heroes” on May 23rd and 24th.

Official SCLS shirts and caps are now available for purchase at the track or online via the SCLS website or their Facebook page.

The SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series would like to thank the following marketing partners for participating in the inaugural season: AG Sandcars, Triple X Race Cars, American Racer Tires, Outhouse Coffee, and Cakes By Kim / Betty Crocker’s Pit Stop.

If you or your company would like to become a marketing partner with SCLS, contact Dustin Dumas at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

SCLS President Dustin Dumas is also the proprietor of AG Sandcars. He sells and builds Lightning Sprints and is a supplier of Triple X Cars, American Racer Tires, and racing components. Anyone interested in racing Lightning Sprints can contact him at (619) 992-8308 or info@socallightningsprints.com.

2026 SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series Points

1. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 468

2. David Taft, Ramona, CA … 458

3. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA … 448

4. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 444

5. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 422

6. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 418

7. Ryan Dumas, San Diego, CA … 408

8. Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA … 396

9. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … 386

10. Kelly Weitzel, El Cajon, CA … 240

SCLS vs CLS California Clash Points

1. Aiden Lange … 252

2. Jeff Dyer … 235

3. David Taft … 224

4. Peter Benker … 223

5. Shane Sexton … 216

6. Braydin Collie … 206

7. Cody Benker … 195

8. Brent Sexton … 189

8. Cody Nigh … 189

9. AJ Bender … 189