Torrance, CA \u2014 December 1, 2025 \u2014 Aiden Lange drove his number 13 machine to a strong second-place finish in the 20-lap 9th Annual West Coast Lightnings Championship on Tuesday night at Bakersfield Speedway, situated inside Kevin Harvick\u2019s Kern Raceway. The runner-up effort behind USAC\/CRA standout AJ Bender was more than enough for Lange to clinch the 2025 California Lightning Sprint Car Series, presented by Motor City Buick\/GMC, championship. The race, part of the Jason Leffler Memorial alongside the USAC National Midget Series, was streamed live on Flo, giving the CLS and its drivers worldwide exposure.<\/p>\n
A stout 22-car field was on hand, featuring not only CLS regulars but entries from the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series and Northern California\u2019s Bay Cities Racing Association. Palmdale\u2019s Eric Greco, home from Boise State University for the holidays, earned Diablo Fabrications Fast Qualifier honors with a lap of 14.262. Talented CLS rookies Drake Cardey and Braydin Collie were next quickest at 14.383 and 14.423. Bender, who finished fourth in the USAC\/CRA standings and hails from San Diego, actually tied Collie with the identical 14.423. California Highway Patrol Officer Jeff Dyer posted the fifth-quickest lap at 14.458.<\/p>\n
Racing Junk Heat Race #1 went to Lakeside\u2019s Lange over \u201cRockstar\u201d Jon Robertson of Torrance and Bakersfield\u2019s Broedy Graham. Greco, who had led the championship standings into August, flipped hard in turn two late in the race. He walked away uninjured, but his night was over.<\/p>\n
Extreme Muffler Heat Race #2 was captured by BCRA\u2019s Scott Kinney of Roseville. Rising star Cardey and three-time lightning sprint car champion Brent Sexton of Lakeside followed him under the flag. Advance Racing Suspension Heat #3 turned into a San Diego County sweep, with Ramona\u2019s David Taft taking the win ahead of El Cajon\u2019s Collie and San Diego\u2019s Parker Dumas.<\/p>\n
When the teams rolled out of the pit gate for the final CLS race of 2025, Sexton sat on the pole. Lange, already with one hand on the season title, started outside of the front row. Row two featured SCLS star Dumas and fellow San Diegan Bender. The third row showcased the top two CLS rookies of 2025, with Collie inside and Riverside\u2019s Cardey to his right. Taft and Kinney held down row four.<\/p>\n
Sexton got the jump on the start, but Lange dove low in turn one and surged into the lead. Sexton battled back and nearly retook the top spot at the end of lap one. A yellow quickly slowed things on lap two when Dumas bunny-hopped through turn two on the rough surface and came to a stop.<\/p>\n
For the early race restart, it was Lange, Sexton, Bender, Cardey, and Collie.<\/p>\n
Lange, in full attack mode as he chased the honor of becoming the 17th different CLS champion, charged away again. Bender, driving the Dustin Dumas owned Jamul Casino and Resort\/AG Sand Cars\/Outhouse Coffee\/American Racer Tire\/Downsouth Motorsports\/Twink Race Prep\/Triple X Chassis\/ZX10, powered past Sexton for second off turn two on the restart. One lap later, young Cardey slipped by Sexton for third.<\/p>\n
The order remained stable through the halfway point, with Lange leading Bender, Cardey, and Collie. The gap between first and second tightened when Lange hit a first turn rut on lap 11, and his lead shrank to a single car length.<\/p>\n
The intensity spiked on lap 12 as the leaders caught lapped traffic. Bender swept to the outside and nearly drew even with Lange down the back straight. Lange held a narrow advantage into turn three but was pinned behind a slower car on the bottom. It looked like Bender might slip past for the lead, but the lapped car clipped a rut and drifted up the track directly in Bender\u2019s path. Lange took full advantage of the newly opened real estate on the bottom and shot by to maintain command. Bender\u2019s loss of momentum allowed Lange to stretch his advantage to eight car lengths.<\/p>\n
Just like Bender earlier, a lapped car interrupted Lange\u2019s rhythm on lap 15. Coming off turn two, the slower car bobbled, forcing Lange to check up\u2014opening the door again for Bender. Lange barely held him at bay. One lap later, another lapped car slowed Lange on the bottom, and this time Bender would not be denied. He pulled alongside and surged into the lead entering turn one on lap 17. Once in front, Bender opened up a big gap and looked to have things under control.<\/p>\n
By lap 19, Bender was nearly a half-straight ahead of Lange. But Lange refused to quit, closing dramatically in the final corner. As Bender exited turn four, he struck a rut and his car shot toward the outside wall. Lange charged low as Bender gathered it in. To the delight of the big Bakersfield crowd\u2014and the global Flo Racing audience\u2014it became a full-throttle drag race to the checkers. At the stripe, Bender prevailed by half a car length over Lange. Cardey, Collie, and Taft completed the top five.<\/p>\n
\u201cI kind of thought I lost it there,\u201d the happy Bender told infield announcer Genevieve Malone after the 20-lapper. \u201cThe track was rough, and it was kind of like, hold the throttle down and hope it does not bounce through it. I was holding on because I usually do not put a lot of tear-offs on for lightning races. I should have, as I was doing the classic, use your glove to clear your view for a minute. I am super pumped for Layton (Kramer), the Dumas family, Dustin (car owner Dustin Dumas). I can not thank them enough. They gave me a call and allowed me to do this. I have done three lightning races this year and this is the first one I have finished.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a lot of pressure,\u201d new champion Lange told the crowd. \u201cShout out to Drake Cardey for an incredible rookie season. He almost got it. He made us nervous all year long.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so grateful,\u201d he continued. \u201cI feel like I haven\u2019t breathed in a month. It is such a relief. I am so proud of this team. At the beginning of last year, my dad had cancer. So we took a year off so my dad could focus on his health. My dad made this car his baby. I am very proud of my dad for persevering through a very difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so thankful for everyone on this car,\u201d the champion added. \u201cI would like to thank Langeford Farms, Spirited by Brad, Kopps Custom Guitars, Vital Pack, IZE.INI, Sweets by Tiffany, Collie Ollie, JST Shock Technology, T Shirts by Timeless. My girlfriend Giselle is here tonight. She has been helping us all year. My grandpa is here. So many people have helped us. The Greco\u2019s, the Nehrings, Dyers, Michnowicz\u2019s, and CLS. We are very fortunate to race against an amazing group of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dyer ended up with the Eibach Spring Ahead and SpeedMart Hard Charger awards, finishing sixth after starting 13th. Tyler Warner, a recent main event winner in the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series, was awarded the Hyper Racing and SpeedMart Hard Luck awards after flipping in his heat race.<\/p>\n
When the final points were tallied, Lange finished with a 54-point cushion over runner-up Cardey. Dyer and 2024 CLS Rookie of the Year Zate Legend of Riverside tied for third at 1543 points, with Dyer earning the spot via his three main event wins. Fast rookie Collie wrapped up the year in fifth.<\/p>\n
Seven-time champion Bobby Michnowicz of Oak Hills, Leland Day of Bakersfield, Robertson, Greco, and Camarillo\u2019s Cody Nigh rounded out the top ten.<\/p>\n
Cardey also won the Rookie of the Year award after a spirited battle with Collie throughout the season.<\/p>\n
Next up for the CLS is the 2025 California Lightning Sprints Awards Banquet presented by Motor City GMC on February 7, 2026, from 6:00\u20139:00 p.m. at Frantone\u2019s Pizza and Spaghetti Villa, 10808 Alondra Blvd in Cerritos. Tickets, which are $40.00 each, are available by contacting: mailto:jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net<\/p>\n
For more updates and series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on social media and visit the official website at racecls.com.<\/p>\n
The CLS would like to thank the following companies for being partners in the 2025 season. Motor City Buick\/GMC, American Racer Tires, T Shirts By Timeless, Advanced Racing Suspension, BR Motorsports, Competition Suspension Incorporated, Diablo Fabrication and Design, Eibach Springs, Extreme Mufflers, EZ UP, Hoosier Tires, The Joie of Seating, King Racing Products, Outlaw Wings, RacingJunk.com, RC Fuel Injection, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, SpeedMart, and Triple X Race Components. If you would like to join the CLS and be a marketing partner in 2025, please contact Jon Robertson via email at jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050.<\/p>\n
9th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship Results<\/p>\n
Diablo Fabrication Qualifying: 1. Eric Greco, 14.262; 2. Drake Cardey, 14.383; 3. Braydin Collie, 14.423; 3. AJ Bender, 14.423; 5. Jeff Dyer, 14.4548; 6. Parker Dumas, 14.461, 7. Aiden Lange, 14.610; 8. Brent Sexton, 14.652; 9. David Taft, 14.654; 10. Bobby Michnowicz, 14.798; 11. Greg Dennett, 14.820; 12. Leland Day, 14.941; 13. Grant Sexton, 14.994; 14. Zate Legend, 15.127; 15. Scott Kinney, 15.147; 16. Shane Sexton, 15.175; 17. Jon Robertson, 15.218; 18. Cody Nigh, 15.303; 19. Tyler Warner, 15.318; 20. Mark Henry, 15.475; 21. Broedy Graham, 17.230<\/p>\n
Racing Junk Heat #1 (8 Laps): 1. Lange, 2. Robertson, 3. Graham, 4. Bender, 5. Michnowicz, 6. Legend, 7. Greco<\/p>\n
Extreme Muffler Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Kinney, 2. Cardey, 3. Brent Sexton, 4. Nigh, 5. Dyer, 6. Dennett, 8. Gamer<\/p>\n
Advanced Racing Suspension Heat #3 (8 Laps): 1. Taft, 2. Collie, 3. Dumas, 4. Day, 5. Henry, 6. Shane Sexton<\/p>\n
9th Annual Western Sprints Championship Main Event 20-Laps (with starting positions and distance behind)<\/p>\n
AJ Bender, San Diego, CA \u2026 (4th)<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA \u2026 (2nd) +0.029<\/p>\n
Drake Cardey, Riverside, CA \u2026 (6th) +2.101<\/p>\n
Braydin Collie, El Cajon, CA \u2026 (5th) +4.140<\/p>\n
David Taft, Ramona, CA \u2026 (7th) +4.955<\/p>\n
Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA \u2026 (13th) +6.060<\/p>\n
Broedy Graham, Bakersfield, CA \u2026 (12th) +9.642<\/p>\n
Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA \u2026 (9th) +12.279<\/p>\n
Brent Sexon, Lakeside, CA \u2026 (1st) +1 Lap<\/p>\n
Greg Dennett, Livermore, CA \u2026 (14th) +1 Lap<\/p>\n
Zate Legend, Riverside, CA \u2026 (15th) +1 Lap<\/p>\n
Mark Henry, Antelope Acres, CA \u2026 (17Th) +2 Laps<\/p>\n
Dale Gamer, Anaheim, CA \u2026 (18th) +3 Laps<\/p>\n
Parker Dumas, San Diego, CA \u2026 (3rd) +4 Laps<\/p>\n
Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA \u2026 (11th) + 4 Laps<\/p>\n
Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA \u2026 (10th) + 8 Laps<\/p>\n
Scott Kinney, Roseville, CA \u2026 (8th) +11 Laps<\/p>\n
Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA \u2026 (16th) \u2026 +19 Laps<\/p>\n
DNS Eric Greco, Palmdale, CA<\/p>\n
DNS Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA<\/p>\n
DNS Grant Sexton, Lakeside, CA<\/p>\n
DNS Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA<\/p>\n
Lap Leaders<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange 1-16<\/p>\n
AJ Bender 17-20<\/p>\n
2025 CLS Contingency Awards<\/p>\n
A red and white sign with white text<\/p>\n
AI-generated content may be incorrect.A logo with palm trees<\/p>\n
AI-generated content may be incorrect. A red and white text on a black background<\/p>\n
Bakersfield 11\/25\/25<\/p>\n
Heat Races<\/p>\n
Award<\/p>\n
Recipient<\/p>\n
Racing Junk Heat Race #1 winner<\/p>\n
Competition Suspension Inc. $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange<\/p>\n
Extreme MufflerHeat Race #2 winner<\/p>\n
Extreme Muffler $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
Scott Kinney<\/p>\n
ARS Heat Race #3 winner<\/p>\n
Advanced Racing Suspensions $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
David Taft<\/p>\n
Main Event<\/p>\n
Award<\/p>\n
Winner<\/p>\n
2nd place<\/p>\n
BR Motorsports \u2013 $25 product certificate<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange<\/p>\n
3rd place<\/p>\n
Joie of Seating \u2013 $250 product certificate<\/p>\n
Drake Cardey<\/p>\n
4th place<\/p>\n
Saldana Racing Products \u2013 $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
Brayden Collie<\/p>\n
5th place<\/p>\n
King Racing Products $25 product certificate<\/p>\n
David Taft<\/p>\n
Highest finisher with Hoosier tires on all 4 corners.<\/p>\n
Hoosier \u2013 free tire<\/p>\n
AJ Bender<\/p>\n
Quick time<\/p>\n
Diablo Fabrication $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
Eric Greco<\/p>\n
Spring Forward (Hard Charger)<\/p>\n
Eibach \u2013 $100 product certificate<\/p>\n
SpeedMart \u2013 $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
Jeff Dyer<\/p>\n
Hard Luck Award<\/p>\n
Hyper Racing \u2013 $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
SpeedMart \u2013 $50 product certificate<\/p>\n
Tyler Warner<\/p>\n
Criteria<\/p>\n
Award<\/p>\n
CLS Member<\/p>\n
Extreme Mufflers 10% off purchase<\/p>\n
CLS Member<\/p>\n
EZ Up 30-40% off purchase<\/p>\n
CLS Member<\/p>\n
RC Fuel Injection 50% off products and services to all race series participants<\/p>\n
CLS Member<\/p>\n
Rod End Supply $30 off each $100 for CLS participants<\/p>\n
CLS Member<\/p>\n
Series Champion<\/p>\n
Triple X Race Components $500 off any chassis or chassis kit<\/p>\n
Motor City Buick\/GMC California Lightning Series Points<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange \u2026 1691<\/p>\n
Drake Cardey \u2026 1637<\/p>\n
Jeff Dyer \u2026 1543<\/p>\n
Zate Legend \u2026 1543<\/p>\n
Braydin Collie \u2026 1495<\/p>\n
Bobby Michnowicz \u2026 1401<\/p>\n
Leland Day \u2026 1276<\/p>\n
Jon Robertson \u2026 1162<\/p>\n
Eric Greco \u2026 1093<\/p>\n
Cody Nigh \u2026 1054<\/p>\n
Hunter Kinney \u2026 552<\/p>\n
Bruce Douglass \u2026 546<\/p>\n
Greg Dennett \u2026 507<\/p>\n
Roland Smith \u2026 430<\/p>\n
Matt Land \u2026 367<\/p>\n
Jason Schostag \u2026 310<\/p>\n
Brent Sexton \u2026 268<\/p>\n
Robb Pelmear \u2026 265<\/p>\n
Cody Dayton \u2026 245<\/p>\n
T.J. Smith \u2026 224<\/p>\n
CLS vs BCRA Civil War Series Final Points<\/p>\n
Greg Dennett, BCRA \u2026 427<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange, CLS \u2026 425<\/p>\n
Drake Cardey, CLS \u2026 401<\/p>\n
Bobby Michnowicz, CLS \u2026 391<\/p>\n
Jeff Dyer, CLS \u2026 381<\/p>\n
Braydin Collie, CLS \u2026 377<\/p>\n
Zate Land, CLS \u2026 373<\/p>\n
Matt Land, BCRA \u2026 367<\/p>\n
Leland Day, CLS \u2026 352<\/p>\n
Eric Greco, CLS \u2026 328<\/p>\n
Central California Shootout Final Points<\/p>\n
Aiden Lange \u2026242<\/p>\n
Drake Cardey \u2026 225<\/p>\n
T.J. Smith \u2026 224<\/p>\n
Jeff Dyer \u2026 221<\/p>\n
Leland Day \u2026 213<\/p>\n
Braydin Collie \u2026 207<\/p>\n
Hunter Kinney \u2026 206<\/p>\n
Zate Legend \u2026 199<\/p>\n
Jon Robertson \u2026 187<\/p>\n
Eric Greco \u2026 139<\/p>\n
2025 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule<\/p>\n
April 12 Bakersfield Speedway Eric Greco<\/p>\n
May 3 Ventura Raceway Aiden Lange<\/p>\n
May 17 Merced Speedway David Gasper (CLS vs BCRA Civil War)<\/p>\n
May 31 Ventura Raceway Postponed<\/p>\n
June 7 Bakersfield Speedway Jeff Dyer<\/p>\n
June 21 Ventura Raceway Aiden Lange<\/p>\n
July 5 Santa Maria Speedway Aiden Lange<\/p>\n
July 26 Santa Maria Speedway CLS vs BCRA Civil War Aiden Lange<\/p>\n
August 22 Plaza Park Raceway Eric Greco<\/p>\n
August 23 Lemoore Jet Bowl Raceway Hunter Kinney<\/p>\n
August 30 Ventura Raceway Jeff Dyer<\/p>\n
September 12 Bakersfield Speedway CLS vs BCRA Civil War Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
September 13 Merced Speedway CLS vs BCRA Civil War Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
October 4 Ventura Raceway Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
October 25 Ventura Raceway Jeff Dyer<\/p>\n
November 25 Bakersfield Speedway AJ Bender<\/p>\n
To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http:\/\/racecls.com\/ and follow on the club\u2019s Facebook page https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/californialightningsprints.<\/p>\n
PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS<\/p>\n
1994 Tony Everhart<\/p>\n
1995 Gary Sexton<\/p>\n
1996 Rob Sczymczak<\/p>\n
1997 Jon Rahe<\/p>\n
1998 Chris Rahe<\/p>\n
1999 Brent Sexton<\/p>\n
2000 Greg Bragg<\/p>\n
2001 Greg Bragg<\/p>\n
2002 Greg Bragg<\/p>\n
2003 David Cardey<\/p>\n
2004 Keith Janca<\/p>\n
2005 Johnny Bates<\/p>\n
2006 Donny Gansen<\/p>\n
2007 Shane Rossen<\/p>\n
2008 Brent Sexton<\/p>\n
2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr.<\/p>\n
2010 Jarrett Kramer<\/p>\n
2011 Tim Brown<\/p>\n
2012 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2013 Stephen Limon<\/p>\n
2014 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2015 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2016 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2017 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2018 Jarrett Kramer<\/p>\n
2019 Jarrett Kramer<\/p>\n
2021 David Gasper<\/p>\n
2022 David Gasper<\/p>\n
2023 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2024 Bobby Michnowicz<\/p>\n
2025 Aiden Lange<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Torrance, CA \u2014 December 1, 2025 \u2014 Aiden Lange drove his number 13 machine to a strong second-place…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":79905,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[151,153,152],"class_list":{"0":"post-79904","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bakersfield","8":"tag-bakersfield","9":"tag-bakersfield-headlines","10":"tag-bakersfield-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79904"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79904\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}