DJ Netto and Ryan Bernal led the field to green, and it was Netto getting the jump, as Bernal found himself in the second spot, chasing after Netto for the second consecutive race. Behind the lead duo, Steven Tiner and Ryan Robinson would race for the third position as Cory Eliason and Heath Duinkerken would look to join the fray.
With caution flags slowing the pace of the race at times, Netto would see his lead disappear, as Bernal would restart right on his rear bumper. On a slicked off racing surface, Netto would bobble on a late restart, and the fans would be entertained as the two young drivers battled hard for the top spot.
While Netto was able to fend off Bernal, Heath Duinkerken was able to move into the third spot while Eliason would work into fourth and Landon Hurst would crack the top-five, as they raced wheel-to-wheel.
As the checkered flag flew it was local product, DJ Netto picking up his first King of Kings 360ci win of the season, as he also takes an early lead in the ‘Battle for the Milk Can’ mini series. Bernal would hang on for second, Duinkerken third, Eliason fourth, and Hurst would round out the top five.
Ricky Childress, Jr has been the man to beat as of late in the RaceChic IMCA Sport Mod division, and Friday night was the same story. Lining up in the third row for the 20-lap feature event, Childress flexed his muscle early, as he moved into the race lead by the second lap.
Out in front, Childress was flawless as he wired the field in what would be a 20-lap non-stop race to open the divisions Battle For The Milk Can. Chasing Childress across the line was Nick Spainhourard, Bryon Holder, and Danny Roe.
The McAlister’s Auto IMCA Mod feature event was simply worth the price of admission. Robbie Sawyer found his machine on the front row of the feature event, and quickly jumped into the early lead, though Pounds and Jimmy Reeves were up on the wheel from their third and fourth row starting positions.
With Sawyer leading a bulk of the race, Pounds and Reeves joined the party, as the trio hooked up in a hair raising battle during the last half of the race.
On the 19th lap, Pounds was able to make his move around Sawyer to get into the race lead, as Reeves was able to follow suit to take over the second spot. In an exciting finish, Pounds would hold off Reeves who would finish in the second spot, Sawyer in third, and Rickky Thornton Jr would finish in the fourth spot.
The Keller Auto Speedway is located at 801 10th Ave Hanford, CA 93230.