Pounds Prevails in Three-Car Modified Melee at Bakersfield

Feature, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Brad Pounds celebrates his first career Central California Clash victory and first Shaw Race Cars Western Region win of 2025. (Photo by Tom Macht)

By Ben Deatherage

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (May 22, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds kicked off the Central California Clash with a wild 30-lap main event at the new Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. Local standout Brad Pounds, a six-time Bakersfield Speedway champion, emerged victorious in dramatic fashion to claim his first career series win and first Shaw Race Cars Western Region triumph of 2025.

The race started with Markus Frazier showing the early way before Larry Wise took control on lap two. Pounds powered to the lead following a restart on the fourth circuit and appeared to be in control until traffic brought challengers into the mix. Former California State and Bakersfield track champion Robby Sawyer closed the gap and briefly took over the lead on lap 19, while young gun Gavyn Manning also joined the fight to make it a thrilling three-car showdown.

Brad Pounds (15B) and Robby Sawyer (X) battle for the lead during the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. Pounds would go on to win the wild 30-lapper after surviving a thrilling three-car duel. (Photo by Tom Macht)

Pounds reclaimed the lead on lap 27 but nearly lost it again coming to the white flag after a close call with a lapped car. Sawyer dove low to avoid the half-spun Sawyer clipped a tractor tire, kept his foot on the gas, executed a quick U-turn, and remarkably continued without losing a podium spot. Manning surged into second on the final lap but couldn’t overtake Pounds, who held on for the win in front of his hometown fans. Manning settled for the runner-up position, while Sawyer salvaged third.

Wilson Fends Off Bannisters for First SportMod Series Win

The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods delivered 25 laps of high-paced action, with Dylan Wilson emerging on top after a hard-fought battle. Matthew Frazier led early before getting sideways while dueling with Wilson, who then grabbed the top spot. Two-time Clash champ Tyler Bannister briefly took the lead before Wilson regained the top spot. A few laps later, Bannister contacted the wall and was forced to the pits.

Dylan Wilson (80D) battles with Tyler Bannister (151) in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. (Photo by Tom Macht)

From there, defending Bakersfield and Merced champion Jason Bannister took up the chase, keeping Wilson honest throughout the second half of the race. Despite heavy pressure, Wilson never flinched, sealing his first win of the season and first career Central California Clash victory. Jason Bannister finished second with Tate Loftis close behind in third.

Dylan Wilson poses in victory lane after winning the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. (Photo by Tom Macht)

Johnson Breaks Through for First Series Win in Stock Cars

The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature saw Nicholas Johnson power to his first-ever series win in the 25-lap main event. Montana’s Kevin Roberts led the first lap after early leader Roger Holder dropped out with mechanical issues before completing the opening circuit. Paul Stone and Roberts traded blows in the early stages before Stone took command on lap seven.

Nicholas Johnson scored his first Central California Clash victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars in Bakersfield on May 22. (Photo by Tom Macht)

Johnson muscled past Stone on lap 11 and never looked back, even as traffic came into play late in the race. The win marked Johnson’s second straight at the facility and his second of the season in EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region action. Stone and Roberts completed the podium in second and third, respectively.

Nicholas Johnson raises a fist in celebration atop his car after winning the Stock Car feature during the Central California Clash at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. (Photo by Tom Macht)

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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