California Lightning Sprints and BCRA Wrap Up Civil War Series at Merced Torrance, CA — September 14, 2026 — The 2026 edition of the annual Civil War Series, pitting the Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Series against the Bay Cities Racing Association, will conclude this Saturday night, September 19, when the two longtime clubs clash at Merced Speedway. The race, presented by Quick Change Liquid Energy, will be round four of the series and the second Civil War event of the year on Merced’s lightning-fast quarter-mile oval. Heading into the finale, CLS G.O.A.T. Bobby Michnowicz leads the Civil War standings by 34 points over his nephew, Cody Nigh. Two-time defending Civil War champion and reigning BCRA champion Greg Dennett sits third. Aiden Lange, the 2025 CLS champion, is fourth, while the CLS leading rookie, Liam Coffey, rounds out the top five. Dennett opened the 2026 Civil War Series by winning the June 27 race on the same Merced oval that hosts Saturday’s finale. Rounds two and three were contested on back-to-back nights last month. On August 7, longtime BCRA standout Dakota Albright topped the field at Plaza Park in Visalia. He is sixth in the standings. Twenty-four hours later, 13-year-old Blayden Graham stunned the veterans by driving Mike Schweitzer’s #41 to victory at the Lemoore Jet Bowl. Remarkably, it was only his second start in a lightning sprint, coming just 24 hours after making his debut. Graham is currently eighth in the Civil War standings. The CLS last raced on August 29 at Ventura Raceway. Seven-time series champion Michnowicz completed a clean sweep of the night, capturing his second Ventura victory of the season after setting fast time and winning his heat race. Following him home on the tiny beach-side oval were teenage stars Tyler Warned and Drake Cardey. Following Saturday’s Civil War finale, the CLS will have four races remaining in its 2026 campaign. Two come next week on the same programs as the World of Outlaws. On September 25, the action will be at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. Twenty-four hours later, the series heads to its home track, Ventura Raceway. Those events will also serve as the final two rounds of the California Clash Series, matching the CLS against the SoCal Lightning Sprints. Following the World of Outlaws weekend, the CLS will conclude its 32nd season of competition with a pair of races at Ventura Raceway on October 17 and October 24. For updates and complete series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on Facebook or visit the official website at racecls.com. Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Point Standings 1. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 1019 2. Tyler Warner ®, Alpine, CA … 983 3. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA … 842 4. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 799 5. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … 798 6. Liam Coffey ®, San Berardino, CA … 778 7. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 529 8. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 506 9. Leland Dag, Bakersfield, CA … 436 10. Braydin Collie, El Cajon, CA … 425 Bullring Nationals Final Points 1. Bobby Michnowicz … 261 2. Cody Nigh … 251 3. Eric Greco … 238 4. Blayden Graham … 231 5. Aiden Lange … 211 6. Greg Dennett … 209 7. Liam Coffey … 208 8. Jon Robertson … 206 8. Leland Day … 184 10. Dakota Albright … 135 CLS vs BCRA Civil War Points 1. Bobby Michnowicz … 396 2. Cody Nigh … 364 3. Greg Dennett … 344 4. Aiden Lange … 341 5. Liam Coffey … 325 6. Dakota Albright … 252 7. Eric Greco … 248 8. Blayden Graham … 231 8. Jon Robertson … 206 10 Leland Day … 184 CLS vs SCLS California Clash Points 1. Aiden Lange … 252 2. Jeff Dyer … 235 3. David Taft … 224 4. Peter Benker … 223 5. Shane Sexton … 216 6. Braydin Collie … 206 7. Cody Benker … 195 8. Brent Sexton … 189 8. Cody Nigh … 189 9. AJ Bender … 189 The CLS would like to thank the following companies for being marketing partners in the 2026 season. Series sponsor Motor City GMC Associate Sponsors American Racer Timeless Enterprises R&R Racing Quick Change Liquid Energy - The Official Energy Drink of CLS Contingency sponsors ARS BR Motorsports CSI Shocks Eibach Extreme Mufflers Keizer Wheels King Racing Optics Rebel Gears Racing Junk Rod End Supply Smith Titanium Speedmart West Evans If you would like to join the CLS and be a marketing partner in 2026, please contact Jon Robertson via email at jon.robertson@sbcglobal.net or by calling (310) 367-9050. 2026 Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule March 6 CLS/SCLS Clash #1 Imperial Valley Raceway - Jeff Dyer March 7 CLS/SCLS Clash #2 Imperial Valley Raceway – David Taft March 21 CLS Ventura Raceway – Cody Nigh April 4 CLS & 305 Sprint Cars Santa Maria Speedway – Grant Sexton May 2 CLS Bakersfield Speedway/Kern – Jeff Dyer May 30 CLS Ventura Raceway – Bobby Michnowicz June 13 CLS Ventura Raceway _ Aiden Lange June 27 CLS vs BCRA Civil War Race (None Points) Merced Speedway – Greg Dennett July 4 CLS & USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Santa Maria Speedway – Jeff Dyer August 7 CLS vs BCRA Civil War Race (None Points) Plaza Park Visalia – Dakota Albright August 8 CLS vs BCRA Civil War Race (None Points) Lemoore Jet Bowl – Blayden Graham August 29 CLS Ventura Raceway – Bobby Michnowicz September 19 CLS vs BCRA Civil War Race (None Points) Merced Speedway September 25 CLS with World of Outlaws CLS/SCLS Clash #3 Bakersfield Speedway September 26 CLS with World of Outlaws CLS/SCLS Clash #4 Ventura Raceway October 17 CLS Ventura Raceway October 24 CLS Ventura Raceway To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ and follow on the club’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints. PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS 1994 Tony Everhart 1995 Gary Sexton 1996 Rob Sczymczak 1997 Jon Rahe 1998 Chris Rahe 1999 Brent Sexton 2000 Greg Bragg 2001 Greg Bragg 2002 Greg Bragg 2003 David Cardey 2004 Keith Janca 2005 Johnny Bates 2006 Donny Gansen 2007 Shane Rossen 2008 Brent Sexton 2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr. 2010 Jarrett Kramer 2011 Tim Brown 2012 Bobby Michnowicz 2013 Stephen Limon 2014 Bobby Michnowicz 2015 Bobby Michnowicz 2016 Bobby Michnowicz 2017 Bobby Michnowicz 2018 Jarrett Kramer 2019 Jarrett Kramer 2021 David Gasper 2022 David Gasper 2023 Bobby Michnowicz 2024 Bobby Michnowicz 2025 Aiden Lange Special thanks to Wendy Michnowicz and Ed Haney Video. This press release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com