Jeremy Doss Scores Emotional Win in $15,000-to-win “Bischofberger Brawl 166”
PC: Joe Shivak
Bakersfield, CA – Upper Lake, CA’s Jeremy Doss weathered a few body blows during the first stages of the “Bischofberger Brawl 166”, but when the checkered flew, Doss had scored the knockout punch and the $15,000 prize that went along with the title at The New Stockton 99 Speedway (CA). Doss took the lead on a lap 120 restart, from race-long leader Blaine Rocha, and pulled away to a one second victory over Dylan Zampa in the rich event for the SPEARS Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services. The win was number eight on the series 11-race schedule, with one event remaining. This event was truly special for more than just the big purse, as he was able to dedicate it to his friend’s family, after the loss of a loved one.
“I really wanted this one bad”, Doss exclaimed! “This one goes out to Allen Bischofberger’s niece, Jordan, who passed away expectantly. I really wanted this win for Jeff and Allen (Bischofberger). It feels really good that we made the right adjustments at the break. I couldn’t do it without my dad Mike Doss and the whole JD Motorsports crew, for all their hard work all weekend and in the shop. I’m thankful to S&S Sports Enterprises, Senneker Performance, Earnest Performance, PFC Brakes, Kulwicki Driver Development Program, Apache Rentals, Horsepower Project, Pit Stop USA and just everyone who helps out. It takes a team effort to come out and have a season like we have. It just feels good.”
Doss had failed to lead any practice or qualifying session during the weekend, but the 2019 Kulwicki Driver Development Champion was nonetheless the favorite, coming off only his second series defeat in 2021 at All American Speedway (CA). Jason Romero set fast time with a lap of 14.177 seconds, defeating a turnout of 28 Pro Late Models. Blaine Rocha clicked off the second-best lap with Dylan Zampa, Trevor Huddleston and Doss the top-five. Rocha drew the pole position as the top-eight all redrew for their starting spots in the 24-car feature field. Tyler Reif grabbed the “two” card with Doss, Dylan Zampa, Cole Brown, Dean Thompson, Jason Romero and Trevor Huddleston the top-eight.
Rocha jumped out to a comfortable lead at the start, with Reif and Doss settling into the top-three. The top-five remained consistent, with Brown and Romero rounding out the top-five, when the first caution flew on lap 33 for debris. The ensuing restart found Doss getting under Tyler Reif for second, as Rocha continued to lead unchallenged. The top of field ran clean and green with positions unchanged headed to the lap 67 caution, for a spinning Colby Potts on the front stretch, as he battled with Dean Thompson just inside the top-10. 21 cars remained on the lead lap, as Dylan Zampa found his way back to the sixth position, after losing ground early.
The ensuing restart found Romero the big winner, as he advanced to third behind Rocha and Doss on the bottom line. Romero closed on Doss and pressured the championship leader for several laps, but couldn’t make the pass. On lap 83, the halfway caution fell with the top-three unchanged as Tyler Reif and Cole Brown continued to complete the top-five.
After the break the intensity picked up, with Rocha back to the lead. The hard charging Romero began to fall back, however, being displaced from the top-five by lap 90. The first yellow of the second half flew on lap 120, for a Zach Telford spin. Doss had closed on Rocha for the lead, and upon the restart he used the outside line to take the lead from Rocha. Just four laps later, Rocha went around with a little help from Tyler Reif, after Rocha got loose. A lap later, Romero’s chance of winning came to an end after spinning into the inside wall entering Turn 3.
The restart found Doss out to the lead, with the Rief brothers battling side by side for the runner-up spot. Tyler was finally able to hold off Tanner for the position when another single car spin saw the yellow fly again on lap 133. Once again, Doss was able to resume the lead, with Tanner once again racing side by side with his brother for second. In the battle, Tyler drifted up the track in Turn 2, with the resulting contact allowing Dylan Zampa to advance to second. Tyler faded back outside the top-five, and Cole Brown advanced to fourth with Tyler Herzog to fifth, as the yellow flew for Guy Guibor.
An exciting restart found Doss to the lead, with Tanner Reif and Cole Brown battling hard for third. Contact between the two brought Colby Potts into the battle, as Brown and Reif lost position to Potts. Reif battled back, however, retaking the third spot as the three fought for the position. Behind them multiple battles intensified, with the final caution flying on lap 147, as Rocha found himself around in Turn 2 again.
That final caution set up the race to the checkered. Dylan Zampa once again lined up to the inside of Doss, trying to steal the lead from the championship leader. Doss would have none of it, however, pulling out to a comfortable lead. Tanner Reif was able to fight off Potts for third with Austin Herzog able to get by Brown to secure the final position in the top-five. Doss would cross the line on lap 166, to earn the $15,000 winner’s share of the purse.
Earlier in the evening, Sammy Solari was able to make his way into the feature event, winning the 15 lap Last Chance Qualifier followed by fellow transfers Jason Gilbert, Tim Spurgeon and Kevin Furden.
The final event of the season will be at Kern County Raceway as the Pro Late Models complete their first season in the 33rd Annual October Classic.
Results:
1. Jeremy Doss, 2. Dylan Zampa (YG), 3. Tanner Reif (YG), 4. Colby Potts, 5. Austin Herzog, 6. Cole Brown (YG), 7. Logan Zampa (YG), 8. JoJo Stearns (YG), 9. Tyler Reif (YG), 10. Trevor Huddleston, 11. Guy Guibor, 12. Hans Beeler, 13. Jason Gilbert, 14. Tim Spurgeon, 15. Henk Gaalswyk, 16. Sammy Solari, 17. Blaine Rocha, 18. Eric Nascimento Jr., 19. Jason Romero, 20. Zach Telford, 21. Mike Beeler, 22. Dean Thompson, 23. Kevin Furden, 24. Mike Doss
LCQ Results:
1. Sammy Solari, 2. Jason Gilbert, 3. Tim Spurgeon, 4. Kevin Furden, 5. Wesley Beuving, 6. David Lewellen, DNS., Mike Regelman, DNS.
