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KENYON MIDGET SERIES CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES  500 SPRINT CAR tour

CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES 

   

www.racecls.com

 Aiden Lange Wins Emotional California Lightning Sprint Series Main at Ventura

 

Ventura, CA – May 5, 2025 — In what will long be remembered as one of the most poignant nights in California Lightning Sprint Car Series Presented by Motor City Buick/GMC history, Aiden Lange of Lakewood, CA, returned to victory lane in triumphant fashion at the Ventura Raceway last Saturday night. The emotional win was his first since stepping away from racing 14 months ago to support his father’s battle with cancer.


 

 

After a hot start to the 2024 season that saw him take an early championship lead, he put his racing career on hold following his father Michael’s cancer diagnosis. Save for one symbolic appearance late last year when Michael’s condition improved, Lange’s focus remained with family.  Saturday night, he made a powerful return to the sport’s most sentimental stage, victory lane.

 

The night’s action came together after Ventura Raceway staff stepped up to host the CLS event following the cancellation of the scheduled race at the Bakersfield Speedway. What followed was a compelling, green-to-checkered 25-lap main event that showcased both emotion and excellence.

 

Lange (Langeford Farms/Kopp’s Custom Guitars/Spirited By Brad/Vital Pack/Randallz Warranty Service/H2O Fire Protection/JDR Graphics/T-Shirts by Timeless/Jake Swanson Shock Technology/Collie Ollie Designs/iza.ini/Sweets by Tiffany/SRK Graphics/2015 Triple X Chassis/2017 Kawasaki ZX10) started on the pole alongside CLS legend Bobby Michnowicz. Behind them sat the Dyer Motorsports duo of Jeff Dyer and 16-year-old rookie Drake Cardey. The third row featured Eric Greco of Palmdale—winner of this season’s Bakersfield opener in April—and Camarillo native Cody Nigh.

 

At the drop of the green, Lange and Michnowicz went door-to-door into turn one. Michnowicz took the high line but started hopping coming off turn two, allowing Lange to power into the lead. Though Michnowicz briefly poked his nose ahead after switching to the bottom near the end of lap two, Lange quickly regained control and never looked back.

 

Meanwhile, Nigh moved past Dyer into fourth early on.  Just in front of them, a fierce battle emerged for second place. Cardey, showing poise well beyond his years, relentlessly pressured Michnowicz, running the high line with fearless determination. Persistence finally paid off and the teen raced around the seven-time champion entering turn one on lap 10.

 

By that point, Lange had built a nearly half-straightaway lead and had no problems with the lapped traffic. While the battle for podium positions raged behind him, Lange stayed cool, calm, and unchallenged up front, ultimately taking the checkered flag with a commanding full straightaway advantage.  The victory, which was his first since the 2024 season opener at the Imperial Valley Raceway, was greeted by an outpouring of support from the Ventura crowd.

 

Cardey’s runner-up finish was the best of his young career and earned him both the Eibach Spring Forward and Speedmart Hard Charger awards. Behind the lead duo, Michnowicz held off his nephew, Nigh, to claim third, with Greco rounding out the top five.


 

"Ya’ I guess I just wanna’ say I’m super grateful to be back racing after taking last year off,” the happy winner said. "My dad spent his time away building an absolutely perfect car that I am super lucky to drive. We’re still working out some bugs and knocking the rust off, but I owe it to him and my sister to give it my all, and I’m happy that in this case I could deliver.”


 

Earlier in the evening, Greco set fast time in qualifying with an 11.818 lap. It was the only sub 12 second lap in time trials.  San Diego State graduate Nigh was second fastest at 12.037.  California Highway Patrol Officer Dyer was third after speeding to a 12.123.   Cardey and Bruce Douglass were fourth and fifth with laps of 12.249 and 12.425.

 

Heat race victories went to Greco over Dyer and Michnowicz in Racing Junk Heat #1.  Lange started his winning ways in Extreme Muffler Heat #2 when he beat Cardey and Nigh to the checkers.

 

Lange and Greco are currently tied atop the championship point standings.  Michnowicz is 28-points behind the co-leaders in third. Douglass sits fourth, while Cardey and Nigh are locked in a tie for fifth.

 

The club takes a break this weekend before heading north to Merced Speedway for Round #1 of the annual CLS vs. BCRA Civil War Series on May 17th.

 

The CLS returns to Ventura Raceway on May 31st.

 

 

Heat Races

Award

Recipient

Racing Junk Heat Race #1 winner

Competition Suspension Inc. $50 product certificate 

Eric Greco

Extreme MufflerHeat Race #2 winner

Extreme Muffler $50 product certificate

 

Aiden Lange

ARS Heat Race #3 winner

Advanced Racing Suspensions $50 product certificate

 

Main Event

Award

 

Winner

 

Aiden Lange

2nd place

BR Motorsports - $25 product certificate

Drake Cardey

3rd place

Joie of Seating - $250 product certificate

Bobby Michnowicz

4th place

Saldana Racing Products - $50 product certificate

Cody Nigh

5th place

King Racing Products $25 product certificate 

Eric Greco

Highest finisher with Hoosier tires on all 4 corners.

Hoosier – free tire

Eric Greco

 

 

 

Quick time

Diablo Fabrication $50 product certificate

Eric Greco

Spring Forward (Hard Charger)

Eibach - $100 product certificate

SpeedMart - $50 product certificate

Drake Cardey

Hard Luck Award

Hyper Racing - $50 product certificate

SpeedMart - $50 product certificate

Jon robertson

 

 

For more updates and series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on social media and visit the official website at racecls.com.

 

The CLS would like to thank the following companies for being partners in the 2025 season.  Motor City Buick/GMC, American Racer Tires, T Shirts By Timeless, Advanced Racing Suspension, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Diablo Fabrication and Design, Eibach Springs, Extreme Mufflers, EZ UP, Hoosier Tires, The Joie of Seating, King Racing Products, Outlaw Wings, RacingJunk.com,  RC Fuel Injection, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, SpeedMart, and Triple X Race Components.  If you would like to join the CLS and be a marketing partner in 2025, please contact Jon Robertson via email at  jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. 

 

May 3 Ventura Raceway Results

Qualifying: 1. Eric Greco, 11.818; 2. Cody Nigh 12.037; 3. Jeff Dyer, 12.123; 4. Drake Cardey, 12.249; 5. Bruce Douglass, 12.425; 6. Aiden Lange, 12.462; 7. Jon Robertson, 12.503; 8. Zate Legend, 12.759; 9. Brayden Collie, 12.928; N.T. Bobby Michnowicz; N.T. Roland Smith

 

Racing Junk Heat #1: 1. Greco, 2. Dyer, 3. Michnowicz, 4. Douglass, 5. Robertson, 6. Collie

 

Extreme Muffler Heat #2: 1. Lange, 2. Cardey, 3. Nigh, 4. Legend, 5. Smith

 

Main Event 25 Laps (with start position and time behind)

1. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA (1st)

2. Drake Cardey, Riverside, CA (4th) … +2.910

3. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA (2nd) … +4.569

4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA (6th) … +6.169

5. Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA (5th) … +6.752

6. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA (3rd) … 7.828

7. Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA (7th) … 8.718

8. Zate Legend, Riverside, CA (9th) … 12.785

9. Brayden Collie, El Cajon, CA (10th) … +1 Lap

10. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA (8th) … + 1 Lap

11. Roland Smith, (11th) … +2 Laps

 

Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Series Points

1. Eric Greco … 262

1. Aiden Lange … 262

3. Bobby Michnowicz … 234

4. Bruce Douglass … 227

5. Drake Cardey … 217

5. Cody Nigh … 217

7. Zate Legend … 200

8. Brayden Collie … 168

9. Jeff Dyer … 148

10. Leland Day … 118

 

 

Saturday’s California Lightning Sprint Car Race Moved from Bakersfield to Ventura

 

Torrance, CA – April 30, 2025 — In a whirlwind of last-minute changes, the California Lightning Sprint Car Series presented by Motor City Buick/GMC, has announced that this Saturday’s race originally scheduled for the Bakersfield Speedway will now take place at the Ventura Raceway due to unforeseen circumstances and the threat of inclement weather.

 

“The first thing you want to do is let all of the guys know what is going on,” CLS President “Rockstar” Jon Robertson said of the chaotic day.  “So, I spent the time texting and emailing the entire universe saying the show was canceled in Bakersfield.”

 

Shortly after notifying teams of the Bakersfield cancellation, CLS officials received a timely call from the Ventura Raceway, offering to include the Lightning Sprints in its Saturday night program. The quick pivot saved the event, and all CLS teams originally planning to compete in Bakersfield enthusiastically committed to making the 120-mile journey west to the scenic beachside track located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

 

“Ventura Raceway heard of our plight,” Robertson happily confirmed.  “They were gracious, stepped up and said they would be glad to have us on their program this weekend.  So, we made a bunch of calls around to make sure we had an agreement from all the guys.  Everybody from the club agreed.  It is kind of a switch of a bunch of miles from Bakersfield to the beach, but it is a great opportunity. We do not lose a race.  We are racing in a smaller track so we will  have to change the setups on all of our cars.  It should be a pretty good night.”

 

This event will be the first of six scheduled appearances by the CLS at Ventura in 2025. The original season debut at the historic quarter-mile bullring was slated for May 31, but the calendar now kicks off four weeks earlier with this exciting replacement event.

 

With Ventura stepping in at the last minute, the CLS schedule is still at 16 races.  That may change to 17 if the CLS and Bakersfield can agree on adding a makeup race on the newly revamped clay oval.

 

“I have talked to Scott (Bakersfield promoter Scott Schweitzer) already,” Robertson stated.  “We are going to see if there are any dates where we can get the planets to all align and try to come up with a makeup show that will work for everybody.  We have only run there one time and we got a taste of a good track.  Everybody is excited about going back there.”    

 

The California Lightning Sprints will join a packed lineup on Saturday night, which includes VRA Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts, and VRA Junior Classes.

 

Spectator gates at the track known as “The Best Little Dirt Track in America” will open at 3:00 p.m. and racing will commence at 5:30.  Adult tickets for Saturday’s show are $18.00.  Seniors 60 and over, military with id and students with id all get in for $18.00.  Kids 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.  The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001).  The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. 

 

Ventura Raceway is located at:
10 W. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, CA 93001
Website: www.venturaraceway.com
Phone: (805) 648-RACE.

 

For more updates and series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on social media and visit the official website at racecls.com.

 

The CLS would like to thank the following companies for being partners in the 2025 season.  Motor City Buick/GMC, American Racer Tires, T Shirts By Timeless, Advanced Racing Suspension, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Diablo Fabrication and Design, Eibach Springs, Extreme Mufflers, EZ UP, Hoosier Tires, The Joie of Seating, King Racing Products, Outlaw Wings, RacingJunk.com,  RC Fuel Injection, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, SpeedMart, and Triple X Race Components.  If you would like to join the CLS and be a marketing partner in 2025, please contact Jon Robertson via email at  jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. 

 

California Lightning Series Points

1.             Eric Greco … 140

2.             Aiden Lange … 126

3.             Bruce Douglass … 124

4.             Leland Day … 118

5.             Bobby Michnowicz … 114

6.             Zate Legend … 104

7.             Leland Byers … 99

8.             Cody Nigh … 95

9.             David Cardey … 86

10.         Pat Kelley … 85

 

 

ERIC GRECO LEADS CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CARS BACK TO BAKERSFIELD THIS SATURDAY

P1 Race Images

Torrance, CA (April 28, 2025) — After a dominant performance three weeks ago at the Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Eric Greco will once again be the driver to watch as the California Lightning Sprint Car Series, presented by Motor City Buick/GMC, returns to the Kern County oval this Saturday night, May 3rd.  Saturday’s race will be round #2 on the 16-race CLS schedule.


 

491440828_18492476845045672_1961021790896750314_n.jpg
Eric Greco hopes to make it two CLS wins in a row Saturday at Bakersfield.  P1 Race Images photo.
 

 

 

Greco, of Palmdale, made a strong statement during the season opener, establishing a lightning sprint track record in qualifying with a blazing lap of 15.316 seconds.  That was over half a second faster than second-fast qualifier Bruce Douglass of Ventura.  Soon thereafter, seven-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz prevented a Greco clean sweep on the night when he edged him out in their heat race.

 

Starting sixth in the main event, the friendly and determined driver seized the lead by the race’s quarter mark. Despite a brief late-race challenge following a restart bobble, Greco crossed the finish line 1.877 seconds ahead of Lakewood’s Aiden Lange. Douglass claimed third, with Bakersfield’s own Leland Day and Oak Hills’ Michnowicz rounding out the top five.

 

An ominous thought for the competition is that, dating back to mid-September in 2024, Greco has now won four of the last six CLS main events.

 

Heading into Bakersfield, the championship standings mirror the season opener’s finishing order: Lange, Douglass, Day, and Michnowicz sit second through fifth behind points leader Greco.

 

Saturday’s program promises even more excitement, with the CLS joined by the Race Saver Sprint Cars, vintage sprint cars, WC Mini Stocks, and NMRA Midgets.

 

Fans can find the Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway at 13500 Raceway Boulevard in Bakersfield, California. Spectator gates open at 4:00 p.m., with racing action beginning at 6:00. The pit gate will open at 1:00 p.m.  For tickets and additional information, visit www.bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 661-835-1264.

 

Following this weekend’s event, the CLS heads north to Merced Speedway on May 17 for round three of the season—and the opening battle of the annual Civil War Series against the Bay Cities Racing Association.

 

The CLS would like to thank its 2025 season partners: Motor City Buick/GMC, American Racer Tires, T Shirts By Timeless, Advanced Racing Suspension, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Diablo Fabrication and Design, Eibach Springs, Extreme Mufflers, EZ UP, Hoosier Tires, The Joie of Seating, King Racing Products, Outlaw Wings, RacingJunk.com, RC Fuel Injection, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, SpeedMart, and Triple X Race Components.

 

After Saturday’s race, the CLS will venture to the Merced Speedway on May 17th for round three of the 2025 campaign and the opening salvos of the annual Civil War Series vs the Bay Cities Racing Association.    

 

The CLS would like to thank the following companies for being partners in the 2025 season.  Motor City Buick/GMC, American Racer Tires, T Shirts By Timeless, Advanced Racing Suspension, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Diablo Fabrication and Design, Eibach Springs, Extreme Mufflers, EZ UP, Hoosier Tires, The Joie of Seating, King Racing Products, Outlaw Wings, RacingJunk.com,  RC Fuel Injection, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, SpeedMart, and Triple X Race Components.  If you would like to join the CLS and be a marketing partner in 2025, please contact Jon Robertson via email at  jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. 

 

California Lightning Series Points

1.                   Eric Greco … 140

2.                   Aiden Lange … 126

3.                   Bruce Douglass … 124

4.                   Leland Day … 118

5.                   Bobby Michnowicz … 114

6.                   Zate Legend … 104

7.                   Leland Byers … 99

8.                   Cody Nigh … 95

9.                   David Cardey … 86

10.             Pat Kelley … 85

 

 500 SPRINT CAR SERIES

   

 the 500 Sprint Car Tour features non-wing pavement sprint cars. These unique open-wheel race cars with extreme horsepower produce high-speed, side-by-side racing.

www.500sprintcartour.com

 

 

 KENYON MIDGET SERIES 

 

 

 

RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES 

 

www.rushsprintcars.com

The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Performance Bodies & Parts, Racing Electronics, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Sherwood Wheels, Precise Racing Products, Velocita-USA, Novus Home Mortgage Hermitage, Wedge Motorsports, 3C Graphix, D&V Jewelers, DrumPreserve, CrateInsider.com, Marthinsen & Salvitti Insurance Group and Terry Bowser Excavating. 

 

 

KENYON MIDGET SERIES CALIFOrNIA LIGHTNING SERIES RUSH SPRINT CAR SERIES  500  SPRINT CAR tour

2025 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule

March 21             Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’ Kern Raceway     CLS vs BCRA Civil War With the High Limit Sprint Cars Series on Flo                      

April 12                Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’ Kern Raceway     With the Ultimate Sprint Car Series                       

May 3                   Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’ Kern Raceway             

May 17                Merced Speedway                                                                CLS vs BCRA Civil War

May 31                Ventura Raceway

June 7                 Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’ Kern Raceway     With the Ultimate Sprint Car Series

June 21               Ventura Raceway

July 5                   Santa Maria Speedway                                                         With USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series on Flo

July 26                 Santa Maria Speedway                                                         With NARC Sprint Car Series on Flo     

August 22            Plaza Park Raceway

August 23            Lemoore Jet Bowl Raceway

August 30            Ventura Raceway

September 12     Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’ Kern Raceway     CLS vs BCRA Civil War With World of Outlaws on Dirt Vision

September 13     Merced Speedway                                                                 CLS vs BCRA Civil War Albright Memorial

October 4            Ventura Raceway                 

October 25           Ventura Raceway

November 25      Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’ Kern Raceway     Western Lightning Sprint Car Championship with USAC National Midgets on Flo    

 

2025 500 Sprint Car Tour Schedule: 

 

April 5 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 25th Running of the Glen Niebel Classic

 

May 21-24 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 77th Annual Little 500

 

June 7 - Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio

 

June 29 - Winchester Speedway | Winchester, Indiana | Tom Bigelow Showdown

 

July 12 - Salem Speedway | Salem, Indiana | Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial

 

July 19 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan 

 

August 1 - Kalamazoo Speedway | Kalamazoo, Michigan

 

August 2 - Owosso Speedway | Ovid, Michigan

 

October 4 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 10th Annual Tony Elliott Classic

 

October 18 - Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park | Brownsburg, Indiana | Championship Night

2025 RUSH Sprint Car Series schedule

 

       

 

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