Hamilton Tops Modified Feature at Bakersfield

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Stock Car

Eric Hamilton celebrates his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature win at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway on May 30. Pictured with Hamilton are car owner Bob Lyon (left) and Kevin Harvick (right), who served as Grand Marshal for the event. (Photo by Tom Macht)

By Steven Blakesley

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (May 30, 2025) — A strong Friesen Performance IMCA Modified field put on a show Friday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway, where Harvick was on hand serving as Grand Marshal. The 30-lap main event featured wheel-to-wheel battles, heartbreak, and a breakthrough win for Eric Hamilton.

Bakersfield’s Robby Sawyer opened the feature with a thrilling three-wide move to take the lead. Behind him, Eric Hamilton, in the Bob Lyon-owned no 44, fought off champions Brad Pounds and Gavyn Manning in a fierce chase. Sawyer, aiming for his second win of the season, was sidelined by mechanical issues in turn four on lap 12.

Hamilton inherited the lead and opened up a solid advantage. Manning tracked him down but slowed with mechanical trouble of his own, drawing a caution with nine laps to go.

Brad Pounds mounted several late-race challenges, but Hamilton stood his ground and held on for the $750 payday — his first win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Pounds was second, and Rob Sanders rounded out the top three.

Bannister Outduels Son Tyler for First Win of Season

2024 Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod champion Jason Bannister of Bakersfield finally tasted victory at the new Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway dirt track in 2025. Tyler Irwin led the first four laps of the 25-lap feature before Bannister was able to seize the lead. Bannister held off his son, Tyler, for the win, while Dylan Wilson came in third.

Simkins Scores First Stock Car Win in Third Career Start

Billy Simkins overcame last-minute efforts just to get his Sunoco IMCA Stock Car to the track, then went on to win the 20-lap feature in just his third career start — and his first in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region. Nicholas Johnson was locked in an intense, multi-lap battle with incoming points leader Raymond Noland for second, eventually gaining the upper hand. Jacob VanEssen crossed the line third.

The night’s action was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate TrackVision TV powered by Low Budget TV. Fans can relive the full event with an 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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