In a full circle performance the No. 71 in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship competition, Penngrove, Calif.\u2019s Buddy Kofoid prevailed in Tuesday\u2019s Jason Leffler Memorial at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick\u2019s Kern Raceway. The $12,500 win mirrored the 1997 national championship for Jason Leffler, when he won the title in a No. 71 owned by Pete Willoughby with crew chief Keith Kunz. Keith Kunz Motorsports led Kofoid to Tuesday\u2019s victory, sweeping past Alabama\u2019s Kevin Thomas, Jr. on lap 13 en route to the victory. Kofoid celebrated the visit to victory lane with Leffler\u2019s son Charlie. The victory was Kofoid\u2019s first in USAC Midget competition since 2023.<\/p>\n
Teammate Jacob Denney drove past Thomas as well to score second place. Castro Valley, Calif.\u2019s Jake Andreotti led Western-based teams in fourth followed by 14th-starting Steven Snyder, Jr. driving to a fifth place effort. Kale Drake was the hardest charger, with the Oklahoma pilot finishing seventh from 20th\u00a0on the grid. Bakersfield\u2019s Jett Yantis thrilled the hometown fans with a narrow advance out of the B-Main, then a charge from 19th\u00a0to ninth in the 30-lap contest.<\/p>\n
World of Outlaws Sprint Car standout Carson Macedo of Lemoore paced time trials and established a new USAC National Midget track record at 14.512 seconds on the one-third mile dirt track. 34 teams participated in the penultimate race for the 2025 series.<\/p>\n
A hearty crowd of race fans were also treated to 22 California Lightning Sprints participating in their season finale as well. USAC\/CRA Sprint Car star A.J. Bender of San Diego won the 20-lap feature for a $500 prize. Aiden Lange of Lakewood finished second in the feature to wrap up the series crown. Drake Cardey finished third in the 20-lap feature followed Brayden Collie and David Taft. Fast-time qualifier Eric Greco flipped in his heat race and was unable to start the feature.<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s action concluded the season on the one-third mile dirt track. Kevin Harvick\u2019s Kern Raceway hosts Speedway Motorcycle action on December 6. The 2025 Bakersfield Speedway banquet is set for December 20, following the CARS Tour West season finale at the half-mile pavement speedway adjacent to the dirt track.<\/p>\n