Bakersfield Speedway
Hogge scores $2,000 victory at Bakersfield
By Stephanie Odom
Californiaondirt.com
Bobby Hogge IV tunes up at Bakersfield. (photofinishphotos.com)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (April 30) — Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas, Calif., scored his second home-state Late Model victory in has many weeks on Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway, earning $2,000 on the West Coast Shootout tour. Hogge took the lead from Steve Drake of San Luis Obispo, Calif., with six laps remaining at the third-mile oval. | Slideshow
“I knew I had to figure something out. I had to slow down and stick to the bottom,” said Hogge, who dedicated the victory to former street stock and modified driver Ron Parker, who suffered a heart attack a day earlier that required a triple bypass. “He was always here in the pits when he could and helped us out financially. ... It was really hard to find out what had happened to him.”
Hogge took the checkers ahead Drake while hometown driver Robert Sanders was third. Fast qualifier Mike Johnson of Lompoc, Calif., was fourth and Nick Bartels of El Segundo, Calif., rounded out the top five. Polesitter Mike Kirby of Torrance, Calif., led the first 18 laps but parked his smoking car during a mid-race caution period, handing the lead to Drake.
Hogge won eight days earlier in Western Allstars DIRTcar Late Model Series action at Giant Speedway in Hanford.
Notes: Hogge's Victory Circle Chassis is sponsored by Superior Third Party Logics and Mid-State Fleet Repair. ... Cody Barnett spun on the 12th lap to draw the race's first caution. ... Chris Barnett spun for a lap-21 yellow. ... The series returns to action Memorial Day weekend for a $5,000-to-win show at the Santa Maria Speedway.
WCS @ Bakersfield: (1) Bobby Hogge IV, (2) Steve Drake, (3) Robert Sanders, (4) Mike Johnson, (5) Nick Bartels, (6) Clay Daly, (7) Brad Pounds, (8) Tommy Malcolm, (9) Bill Bartels, (10) Dino Napier, (11) Anthony Restad, (12) Ron Bartesl, (13) Cody Barnett, (14) Carla Laney, (15) Chris Barnett, (16) David Spears, (17) Mike Kirby, (18) Andy Obertello. Fast qualifier (among 18 cars): Johnson, 13.660 seconds. Heat race winners: Kirby, Drake, Johnson. Dash winner: Kirby.
