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Warner Springs, California — April 9, 2026 — Making a rare Santa Maria Speedway appearance last Saturday, “Shugah’” Shane Sexton turned in his best performance of the young season, charging to a fourth-place finish in the Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event. This week, he returns to familiar territory as he heads to his home track, Barona Speedway, for round #3 of the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series.

Making just his third career appearance at Santa Maria, Sexton got off to a strong start by circling the 62-year-old speed plant in 14.152 seconds in qualifying. The effort was good enough for the third fastest on the night and marked his best qualifying performance of the 2026 season. He followed that up in impressive fashion, blasting into the lead coming off turn two on the opening lap of his heat race and never looking back en route to his first heat race victory of the year.

In the 21-lap A main event, which was contested in memory of Belita Michnowicz, Sexton rolled off from the outside of the third row. The start did not go as planned, as he missed a couple of shifts on the opening lap and slipped back several positions. Undeterred, he quickly adapted, moving to the low groove while most of the field went to the top, and began carving his way forward.

The strategy paid off. Sexton methodically worked his way through the field, steering his gorgeous #74 to a strong fourth-place finish—his best result of the season.

“Third quick in qualifying, heat race win, and a 6-4 run in the main with the California Lightning Sprint Cars at the Santa Maria Speedway,” he told his Facebook followers after the race. “Thank you to Brian Fonseca for the hospitality and congrats on your team’s win (with Sexton’s cousin Grant Sexton).”

The good-looking performance moved Sexton to seventh in the CLS championship standings, despite competing in only three of the series’ four races to date.

Fans can catch Sexton’s races from Santa Maria on his new YouTube channel at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ3OlA_-tPU. Be sure to check it out, like, and, of course, subscribe.

Heading into Saturday’s event, Sexton sits fifth in the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series standings, just 20 points out of the lead as he returns to his home track. The Warner Springs, California driver was especially strong at Barona in 2025, making eight starts and scoring a victory on June 7th. He also recorded two second-place and two third-place finishes, resulting in an impressive 4.75 average finish.

Without being taken out by another driver in one race and suffering a parts failure on the final lap of the season finale, that average would have been even better—making Sexton a clear contender heading into Saturday night.

Saturday’s Barona information

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

Location: Barona Speedway is located 5.8 miles north of Barona Casino on Wildcat Canyon Road, between mile markers 11.0 and 11.5.

Sexton would like to thank the following marketing partners for their support of his 2026 racing efforts: Black Widow Diesel, Site One Green Tech, Reel Technologies, AG Sandcars, Toby Ramos Tires, Allied American, Savage Racing, and Hose & Rubber Products (HRP).

Businesses interested in partnering with Shane Sexton’s exciting 2026 racing program are encouraged to contact him at ShaneSexton7@gmail.com or (610) 362-5921.

After Finishing Fourth At Santa Maria – “Shugah’” Shane Sexton Heads Home To Barona