Spears Southwest Tour Storylines for the 33rd Annual October Classic at Kern County Raceway
October Classic: For 28 years, the October Classic was a mainstay and highlight of the season at Mesa Marin Raceway (CA) (1977 to 2005). In 2019, the race returned to Kern County Raceway (CA) and Bakersfield, CA. This year’s edition will find the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series joined by the SPEARS Modified Series, and the Spears Manufacturing Pro Late Models presented by Sigma Performance Services. The 33rd Annual “Bulwark ‘FR October Classic 150” will be the final event of the 10-race SRL schedule and will take place on October 23rd.
Throwback Weekend: The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series will feature a “throwback” themed weekend. Drivers and teams are encouraged to replicate paint schemes from the past, with the best design receiving a set of tires from Hoosier Tire West.
Two Segments: The “Bulwark ‘FR October Classic 150” will feature two segments, with a break at the lap 75 halfway point. Teams will be allowed to change tires and make adjustments. No points will be awarded at the break, but half of the purse will be paid out at that point, other than a special bonus. The leader will draw for the invert at the break for the second half. The invert will be a “0”, “4”, or an “8”.
Motor City Throwdown Bonus: An extra $3,500 will be awarded to the winner after 150 laps thanks to the Motor City Throwdown Challenge. The bonus was offered to anyone who could beat Derek Thorn over the last four events of the season. With no one claiming the bonus, Thorn has become eligible to collect the bonus as well. The leader at the halfway break will receive $3,500. At the conclusion of 150 laps, the winner will receive $7,000 thanks to the bonus. A driver could take home $10,500 for their efforts. Thorn is excited to finally have a shot at the extra cash.
“The Motor City Throwdown Challenge has added some intensity to our season”, Thorn began. “Our goal for the last 10 years at Campbell Motorsports has been to win every race, but racing is a very humbling sport, and dishes out its fair share of ups and downs. We’ve been fortunate to have a great streak going. At Kern we will just do what we normally do and let the cards fall where they may. It’s been awesome to have Motor City put up the extra money and I’m pumped we finally have a shot at it.”
Trick or Treat: The teams of the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour, SPEARS Manufacturing Pro Late Models presented by Sigma Performance Services and the SPEARS Modified Series will bring candy for kids in attendance at the October Classic. Cars will be parked on the front stretch for an autograph session, as well as an opportunity to pick up some Halloween goodies from the drivers and teams.
Championship Battle SLM: Derek Thorn needs only to finish 34th or better to secure his sixth series championship. With 25 cars currently entered, merely starting the event will assure him the championship. The battle for the runner-up position will likely come down to the last lap, with 2015 SRL champion Jacob Gomes leading Rookie-of-the-Year leader Buddy Shepherd by a mere five points. The battle for fourth is also tight with rookie driver Kole Raz leading Cale Kanke by 11 points. He remainder of the top-10 consist of Blaine Rocha, Brandon Farrington, Carlos Vieira, Dean Thompson and Scott Sanchez. John Moore sits 19 points behind Sanchez. 180 points will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s “Bulwark ‘FR October Classic 150”.
Rookie Battle SLM: Buddy Shepherd needs only to start Saturday’s feature event to take home the Rookie-of-the-Year title. Kole Raz sits second in the standing and fourth overall. He needs to finish 12th or better to secure the runner-up position over teammate Brandon Farrington. Zach Telford and Dylan Garner round out the top-five in the rookie standings. All five are entered for this weekend’s event with Kyle Keller also joining the rookie mix. 14 different rookies have scored points during the 2021 season.
Home Coming: Preston Peltier grew up in Frazier Park, CA, just 45 miles from Bakersfield, the home of Mesa Marin Raceway (CA) and the October Classic for so many years. Peltier didn’t have the opportunity to compete in the event, but remembered watching from the grandstands. Preston will make his second October Classic start in 2021 after finishing 21st in last year’s event. He suffered a flat tire while battling for the lead.
Strong Field SLM: 25 Super Late Models are currently entered for this weekend’s “October Classic 150”. Seven of those drivers have scored Super Late Model series championships. Those drivers include John Dillon (NASCAR Northwest Tour, Rocky Mountain Challenge Series), Jacob Gomes (SPEARS Southwest Tour (SRL)), John Moore (Pacific Challenge Series (PCS)), Jeff Hillock (2x Intermountain Late Model Series), Derek Thorn (5x SRL), Jeremy Doss (SRL, 2x PCS), and Preston Peltier (PASS South, PASS National Tours). An additional seven drivers have scored Late Model track championships. 10 drivers have scored Super Late Model series feature event wins.
Triple Duty: Jeremy Doss will be pulling triple duty this weekend. Doss will be behind the wheel of the Bob Lyon #44 Super Late Model, the JD Motorsports #75 Pro Late Model, and the Eddie Wilcox #75 Modified. Doss pulled the triple at the season opening Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway in February, driving his own Super Late Model. He finished on top in both the Modified and Pro Late Model, but dropped out during the Super Late Model race. Doss will look to apply what he learned in February to this weekend’s event, driving for a new team.
“After racing all three divisions at the All-Star Showdown, the biggest thing I learned was to stay hydrated”, Doss explained. “I did that at Irwindale, and I never felt fatigued or low on energy. I’m very excited to be piloting the #44 Lyon owned Hamke at Kern County Raceway Park. Even though I haven’t run a Super Late Model at Kern in a while, I feel we will be a threat for the win!”
Fearless Leader: Joe Farre’ will be back behind the wheel of a Super Late Model for the first time since the season opening 2020 “All-Star Showdown” at Irwindale Speedway. The popular team owner, and head of Sigma Performance Services, will join rookie teammates Kole Raz and Brandon Farrington in the Super Late Model line-up, with Dustin Ash joining the action in the Pro Late Models. Farre’ is excited to make his return to the series and for the opportunities for his team drivers.
“We are excited to return to Kern County Raceway for the SRL October Classic”, Farre’ stated. “This track, and this race, is one of our favorite combinations of competition. We are excited to see Brandon Farrington return to finish off a great effort during our last visit, and the continued growth and determination of Kole Raz, as he focuses on reeling in that first win.”
New Faces: In addition to Joe Farre’, Jack Wood and Jeff Hillock will make their first starts of the 2021 season. For Hillock, it will be his first solo start in the series, after competing in a combination race with the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series at Rocky Mountain Raceway (UT). He finished 22nd in that event. Wood was a former Rookie-of-the-Year competitor in the series, finishing third in that competition in 2018 and 12th overall. He is currently driving for GMS Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and is excited to return to the October Classic and participate against some of his former competitors.
“I’m very excited to announce that I will be returning to the SRL for the October Classic”, Wood stated. “It’s an honor to have the support of Chevrolet to help make this possible. I learned a lot of what I am now applying to the Truck Series running on the West Coast in Super Late Models. Hopefully we can have ourselves a good run. I couldn’t be more excited!”
Half-Mile Strength: The Super Late Models have averaged 28.8 cars per event on the series ½-miles in 2021. The low was at Irwindale Speedway in July when 20 cars appeared. The high was 44 at the season opening All-Star Showdown, also at Irwindale Speedway. This weekend will be sixth event of the season on the larger ½-miles.
Championship Finale PLM: This will be the final round of 11 for the SPEARS Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services. It will be only the second time on a ½-mile for the series. Seth Wise was the winner on Kern County Raceway’s big ½-mile back in June. 23 Pro Late Models are entered for this weekend’s event as of Wednesday. Jeremy Doss will clinch the inaugural championship for the series by starting the event. Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist Dylan Zampa sits second and leads Sigma Performance Services Young Gun competition over his brother Logan. He can clinch that title by starting this weekend’s event. Tanner Reif and Tyler Reif round out the top-five in points.
PLM Newcomers: Eight drivers will make their SPEARS Pro Late Model Series debut at this weekend’s “Sigma Performance Services 54”. Bradley Erickson, Takuya Okada, Brody Moore, Greg Puskarich, Mike Puskarich, Dustin Ash, Gene Fife, and Paul Ebersbacher will make their first starts in the series. 69 drivers have already participated in the inaugural season for the series.
Big PLM Win: $5,400 will go to the winner of the “Sigma Performance Services 54”. The winner will also earn the title of the first Spears Pro Late Model winner of the October Classic. Jeremy Doss will look to score his ninth PLM win of the season. Dylan Zampa and Seth Wise will look for win number two of the season.
Championship Finale Modifieds: Round #9 of the SPEARS Modified Series will also be the season finale for the series. Jeremy Doss can clinch the title with a finish of 18th or better. Second through fourth are separated by a mere nine championship points. Travis Thirkettle leads Eddie Secord and Travis McCullough in the chase for the runner-up position.
Rookie Battle Modifieds: Andrew Anderson and Sam Jacks sit fifth and sixth in the championship standings and first and second in the Rookie-of-the-Year battle. Anderson leads Jacks by 29 points in the back and forth struggle. The last time the series visited Kern County Raceway, Anderson finished sixth, while Jacks came home ninth.
Modified Debut’s: Two drivers are currently scheduled to make their SPEARS Modified Series Debut’s at the October Classic. Court Connell will make his debut in the Battle Born Racing #7 out of Las Vegas, NV, while Anthony Barket will be in the #59.
Live Broadcast: The Low Budget TV cast will be at Kern County Raceway to provide live coverage of all three divisions. The PPV broadcast can be found at www.SpearsRacing.TV. The event will be tap delayed on MAVTV at a time and date to be announced later.
Super Late Model Entry:
08 Jace Hansen, Greely, CO – NAPA of Cheyenne, Buckeye Welding
11 John Dillon, Eagle, ID – Dillon Toyota Lift, Collins Motor Sports
12F Joe Farre’, Henderson, NV – Sigma Performance Services
12K Kyle Keller, Las Vegas, NV – Eros Environmental, Battle Born Racing*
16 Jacob Gomes, Manteca, CA – Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats, Dell’Osso Family Farms
18 Jack Wood, Loomis, CA – WBP, Chevy Accessories
21R Kole Raz, Lake Oswego, OR – Sigma Performance Services, Wells Johnson*
22A Andy Allen, Garden Grove, CA – RJ Allen, Inc.
22S Buddy Shepherd, Bakersfield, CA – Martin Auto Color, Sivesind Family*
23 Dan Holtz, Pacific Palisades, CA – Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, Concrete Motorsports
24 Scott Sanchez, Bakersfield, CA – Salted Metals, Gibson Crane
25F Brandon Farrington, Tucson, AZ – Sigma Performance Services, Wells Johnson Co.*
27 John Moore, Granite Bay, CA – JM Environmental Inc., Berco Redwood
33 Cale Kanke, Frazier Park, CA – Allie Bakes
36 Jeff Hillock, Cedar Hills, UT – J.H. Hillock Electric, Wasatch Ornamental Iron
37 Keith Spangler, Porter Ranch, CA – Salted Metals
43 Derek Thorn, Bakersfield, CA – 51 FIFTY, Fury Racecars
44 Jeremy Doss, Upperlake, CA – Alliance Rental Solutions, Shell Roofing Solutions
48 Preston Peltier, Brighton, CO – Generator Source, Eastwood Trucking
50 Trevor Huddleston, Agoura Hills, CA – High Point Racing, Sunrise Ford, Racecar Factory
51V Carlos Vieira, Livingston, CA – 51 FIFTY, Allied Packaging
57 Zach Telford, Middleton, ID – Hixco Supply, All Pro Coatings*
80 Andre Prescott, Mesa, AZ – Burgeson A/C, Prescott Sports Therapy
97 Dylan Garner, Yorba Linda, CA – GESI, Frank’s Auto Service*
98 Blaine Rocha, Oakdale, CA – MASROC Farms, Masellis Drilling
