KENYON MIDGETS AND OTHER RACING SERIES RACE RESULTS AND NEWS AND NOTES

Torrance, CA — August 31, 2026 — Seven-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz put on a clinic when Motor City Buick/GMC presented the California Lightning Sprint Car Series at the Ventura Raceway last Saturday night. The 62-year-old swept the show, setting fast time, winning his heat and scoring a runaway victory in the 25-lap main event.

Left to right: 2nd Place Tyler Warner, wWinner Bobby Michnowicz, 3rd Place Drake Cardey. CLS Photo

The win was Michnowicz’s second of the season and, like his first on May 30, it came at Ventura. And once again, he led all 25 laps.

Michnowicz gave the competition its first dose of “How To Do It” when he turned a lap of 13.391 in Keizer Aluminum Wheels Qualifying. That was .399 faster than teammate Jarrett Kramer, who was second quickest. Keeping it all in the family, Michnowicz’s nephew, Cody Nigh, turned in the third-best time of the night at 13.947. CLS point leader Jeff Dyer was fourth fastest with a 13.961 at the Commotion by the Ocean. “Rockstar” Jon Robertson rounded out the top five at 14.092.

Michnowicz returned to the track for Racing Junk Heat #1. The CLS G.O.A.T. came from third to win the eight-lapper over Nigh and Robertson. Moments later, Kramer, the 2010, 2018 and 2019 CLS champion, started third and won Extreme Muffler Heat #2. He was chased to the Kris Kornder checkers by Dyer and USAC Western States Midget point leader Drake Cardey.

Giving the competition reason for concern, Michnowicz rolled off the pole for the 25-lapper. Impressive teenager Tyler Warner was alongside. Dyer and Nigh occupied row two, with Kramer and Robertson in the third row. Rookie Liam Coffey and Cardey started in row four.

As soon as the race began, Michnowicz flew into the lead with Warner, Dyer, Kramer and Nigh giving chase. Dyer, who not only leads the points standings but also tops the club with three wins, found daylight on the inside of series-leading rookie Warner coming off turn two and raced into second. At the end of the first circuit, it was Michnowicz ahead of Dyer, Warner, Nigh and Kramer.

Michnowicz quickly built a lead, but it was erased when newcomer Parker Drottz rolled to a stop in turn two on lap four, bringing out the first yellow flag of the race.

For the restart, the only change in the top five was Kramer, making his second CLS start of 2026, moving up to fourth. Dyer went to the top in an attempt to drive around Michnowicz on the restart. However, the longtime racer fought him off and raced away to another comfortable lead before the race was slowed again on lap six.

The top three remained unchanged for the second and final yellow of the race. However, Cardey, driving one of four Sexton Gatlin Racing cars entered on the night, had charged from eighth to fourth.

Michnowicz got a great restart at the flick of the green and pulled away again. Dyer gained some ground back but appeared to slow on lap 14. One lap later, he rolled into the infield after an O-ring let go, causing a fuel leak. That elevated Warner to second and Cardey to third.

With the laps winding down, Michnowicz suddenly had a half-track lead. Unfortunately for him, he could not see the tremendous battle behind him as teenagers Warner and Cardey fought for second.

At the checkers, Michnowicz, in his Outlaw Wings/Super Shox/Inland Rigging/Bondio Fabrication/Fabozzi Metal Works/Fast Time Studios/Keizer/TJ Forged/Timeless T Shirts/Triple X Chassis/Kawasaki ZX10/21K, had a bulging 4.915-second advantage over runner-up Warner. Cardey placed third with Kramer and Nigh fourth and fifth.

“We were working our tails off; we had a fuel problem in the heat race,” Michnowicz told the crowd. “We just barely got it buttoned back up and got out there. I didn’t know if it was going to run or not. If it was not going to run, I was going to pull in before the green. It wasn’t perfect, but it ran pretty good. What a strenuous racetrack Jim (promoter Jim Naylor) gave us. I was hanging my head on my headrest, taking breaths and hoping for some yellow.”

Cardey received the Eibach Spring Forward/West Evans Hard Charger Awards. Newcomer Drottz won the Rebel Gears Hard Luck Award.

Warner’s second runner-up finish in a row, combined with Dyer’s bad luck, allowed the teenager to cut his deficit from 73 points to 36 in the title chase. Defending CLS champion Aiden Lange is third. Robertson sits fourth, with Nigh only one point behind in fifth.

The CLS is off until September 19, when it ventures north to conclude the annual Civil War Series with the Bay Cities Racing Association.

For updates and complete series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on Facebook or visit the official website at racecls.com.

Ventura Raceway August 29 Results

Keizer Aluminum Wheels Qualifying: 1. Bobby Michnowicz, 13.931; 2. Jarrett Kramer, 13.790; 3. Cody Nigh, 13.947; 4. Jeff Dyer, 13.961; 5. Jon Robertson, 14.092; 6. Tyler Warner, 14.097; 7. Brent Sexton, 8. Ted Kruppa, 14.963; 9. Ryan Greco, 14.982, 10. Adam Jones, 16.430; 11. Parker Drotz, 16.527; DNQ Liam Coffey; DNQ Drake Cardey

Racing Junk Heat #1: 1. Michnowicz, 2. Nigh, 3. Robertson, 4. Coffey, 5. Greco, 6. Drotz

Extreme Muffler Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Kramer, 2. Dyer, 3. Cardey, 4. Warner, 5. Krupa, 6. Jones

Main Event (25 Laps With Starting Positions and Time Behind)

1. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA, … (1st)

2. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA, (2nd) … +4.915

3.Drake Cardey, Riverside, CA, (8th) … +5.525

4. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA, (5th) … +8.553

5. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA, (4th) … +9.605

6. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA, (6th) … +1 Lap

7. Ryan Greco, Palmdale, CA, (10th) … +1 Lap

8. Ted Krupa, (9th) … +2 Laps

9. Liam Coffey, San Bernardino, CA, (7th) … +7 Laps