Manning Tops Modified Feature During Summer Spectacular at Bakersfield

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Stock Car

Gavyn Manning poses in victory lane following his Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature victory during the Summer Spectacular on July 25 at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway. The Bakersfield, Calif. driver held off defending track champion Brad Pounds for his sixth DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of the season. (Photo by Tom Macht)

By Steven Blakesley

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 25, 2026) — Gavyn Manning returned to victory lane Saturday night, holding off defending track champion Brad Pounds to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the Summer Spectacular at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

Manning, the 2024 Bakersfield Speedway champion, used the high groove to edge ahead of polesitter Rob Sanders at the start before Sanders spun in turn two on lap three to bring out the race’s lone caution.

Pounds methodically reeled in Manning and mounted his strongest challenge with 11 laps remaining, throwing a slide job entering turn one. Manning crossed back underneath in turn three and maintained the advantage the rest of the way despite continued pressure around the cushion.

Austin Kiefer completed the podium while points leader Tyler Bannister advanced from seventh to fourth. Sanders recovered to round out the top five.

The victory was Manning’s sixth of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region and his third at Bakersfield Speedway. Manning and Bannister won the heat races.

Piker Capitalizes for First SportMod Victory

John Piker scored his first Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory of the season after inheriting the lead late in the 25-lap feature.

Piker led the opening laps before Nicholas Johnson charged from 10th to the point at the halfway mark. Johnson appeared headed for victory until mechanical trouble ended his night on lap 20, returning the lead to Piker.

Piker held off a late charge from points leader and 2024 track champion Jason Bannister to secure the win.

Bannister rallied from eighth to second to earn hard charger honors. Paul Brown finished third, Sunnie Simkins was fourth, and Santiago Lopez completed the top five.

Bannister and Tyler Irwin claimed heat race victories.

Van Essen Scores Fourth Win of the Season

Jacob Van Essen added another impressive victory to his championship campaign in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.

After starting sixth, Van Essen worked his way through the field as Justin Schweitzer and Billy Simkins battled for the early lead before reigning track champion Raymond Noland took command.

Van Essen caught the leaders in the closing laps, then inherited the top spot when Noland suffered a flat right rear tire. Van Essen drove away for the victory while Schweitzer finished second.

Noland held on for third, Mike Villanueva advanced from eighth to fourth, and Justin Villanueva rounded out the top five.

The victory was Van Essen’s fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region win of the season, with all four coming at Bakersfield Speedway. Mike Villanueva earned hard charger honors after advancing four positions from eighth to fourth. Tony Smith and Noland won the heat races.

The night’s action aired live on IMCA TV affiliate TrackVision TV powered by Low Budget TV. Catch every lap again with an IMCA TV Replay Subscription for just $25.99/month. Plus, stream Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries exclusively on IMCA TV.

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