Bakersfield Speedway
Drake fends off rallying Johnson at Bakersfield
From staff and series reports
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Sept. 1) — Steve Drake of San Luis Obispo, Calif., edged Mike Johnson in one of the most exciting Western Allstars events in the brief series history for a $3,000 Labor Day weekend victory at Bakersfield Speedway.
Drake barely beat Johnson, who started on the tail of the 21-car field after track owner Scott Schweitzer offered him $500 to take the challenge.
While Johnson started in the rear, it didn't take him long to get in the mix of a race that Drake and Donnie Hampl also led. The crowd erupted when Johnson took the point on the 18th lap.
Drake, though, was able to outduel Johnson and Hampl to win his first Western Allstars race since September 2006 at Bakersfield.
Johnson and Hampl were chased across the finish line by Zack Forster and Chet Buckley as the series wrapped up its final points race. Johnson, who won six races, secured the series championship.
Bakersfield Speedway: (1) Steve Drake, (2) Mike Johnson, (3) Donnie Hampl, (4) Zack Forster, (5) Chet Buckley, (6) Devin Crockett, (7) Jeff Dunham, (8) Chris Shannon, (9) John Lowrey, (10) Andy Obertello, (11) Jeff Priddy, (12) Ron Bartels, (13) A.J. Kirkpatrick, (14) Jay Marks, (15) Dino Napier, (16) Bill Bartels, (17) Nick Bartels, (18) Larry Childress, (19) Mike Corwin, (20), Robert Sanders, (21) Ron Meyer.
