By Lonnie Wheatley
DODGE CITY, Kan. (Aug. 20) – Colorado’s Jake Bubak picked up right where he left off last year by wiring the field in Thursday night’s 25-lap feature to get the fourth annual Lubbock Wrecker Service DCRP Sprint Car Nationals under way atop the 3/8-mile Dodge City Raceway Park clay oval.
Last year, Bubak swept through all three nights to collect more than $6,000 as he became the third different event winner in as many years.
And he may have led all 25 laps on Thursday night, but he certainly had to earn it as John Carney II pressured throughout and even slid into the lead briefly on a couple of occasions along the way only to have Bubak successfully counter.
After drawing the second row inside for the feature event after a heat race win, fortune was on Bubak’s side from the outset with scheduled pole starter Koby Walters scratching from the main event.
Bubak outdueled Carney on the opening lap to take command. Carney wasted little time throwing his hat into the ring for the point, sliding ahead briefly in turn two on the third round. Bubak battled right back and the duo repeated the scene in turn four a half dozen circuits later as lapped traffic came into play.
The battled raged on over the ensuing rounds as the duo sliced through lapped traffic until a caution flew after 15 laps.
The final caution flew just as the leaders were reaching traffic again.
Set for a five-lap dash to the stripe, Carney made a last ditch effort but Bubak was able to hold a two car-length advantage at the line. Carney settled for runner-up honors.
Lorne Wofford, who was in the mix with the lead pair in the closing laps, failed to pass post-race tech, thus handing the show position to Jeremy Huish. Jason Martin rallied from 15th to claim fourth with Taylor Velasquez charging from 18th to round out the top five.
The DCRP 305 Sprint Car Nationals resumes with a second night of preliminary action on Friday leading the way to Saturday’s $3,000-to-win championship finale. Friday’s action also includes the opening portion of the seventh annual SportMod Mayhem North vs. South Duel along with the Kansas Antique Racers.
Feature results – 1. Jake Bubak; 2. John Carney II; 3. Jeremy Huish; 4. Jason Martin; 3. 5. Taylor Velasquez; 6. Zach Blurton; 7. Monty Ferriera; 8. Jordan Knight; 9. Luke Cranston; 10. Steve Richardson; 11. Tyler Knight; 12. David Luckie; 13. Jake Martens; 14. Ray Seemann; 15. Cody Lampe; 16. Kohl Ricke; 17. J.D. Johnson; 18. Blake Scott; 19. Chris Douglas; 20. Chase Randall; 21. Koby Walters.
