Brent Sexton Outdistances the Field to Win California Clash/Western States Championship Series' Openers at Bakersfield Torrance, CA — September 29, 2026 — Three-time Lightning Sprint Car champion Brent Sexton scored a convincing victory when the California Lightning Sprint Cars and SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars joined forces last Friday night for round #3 of the California Clash Series at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. It was also night #1 of the 10th Annual Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championship. Winner Brent Sexton (center), 2nd place Bobby Michnowicz left and 3rd place David Taft. CLS photo Seven-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz kicked off the show, which was run in conjunction with the World of Outlaws and seen worldwide on DirtVision, by setting the fastest time in Keizer Aluminum Wheels Qualifying with a lap of 14.223. California Highway Patrol officer and current CLS point leader Jeff Dyer was second quickest at 14.408. Current SCLS point leader David Taft was third at 14.563. Grant Sexton and Cody Nigh rounded out the top five with laps of 14.654 and 14.685. Brent Sexton began his winning ways by taking Racing Junk Heat #1 ahead of Michnowicz and Nigh. Teen Cody Benker followed with a victory in Extreme Muffler Heat #2, beating Dyer and “Rockstar” Jon Robertson to the checkered flag. For the main event, Brent Sexton, the 1999 and 2008 CLS champion and 2022 POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint champion, started on the pole. Robertson lined up alongside him. Row two featured Nigh and Taft, followed by Dyer and Michnowicz in row three. Cody Benker and CLS leading rookie Leam Coffey occupied row four. Sexton, driving his East County Electric Works/Antonelli’s Deli/Keys Brothers/Geoff Dale/BR Motorsports/Maxima Oil/Automated Interiors/Valley Lubricant Services/Sexton Fire Protection/BK Wings/Troy Dirt #44, blasted into the lead at the start and led the opening circuit over Taft, Dyer and Robertson. The Lakeside, California veteran quickly began building a healthy advantage on the track located adjacent to Interstate 5. Dyer, who entered the night second in California Clash points, charged to the inside of Taft as they raced into turn three on lap four. The veteran, who has six wins between the CLS and SCLS this season, grabbed second and immediately set his sights on leader Sexton. The race stayed green until the midway point. Sexton had been comfortably out front, but Dyer was rapidly cutting into his advantage. Heading into turn three, the leaders caught a new driver they were about to put a lap down. Sexton dove underneath the slower car entering the corner while Dyer was running through the middle. The lapped car moved up the track, and with nowhere to go, Dyer slammed into it. Both cars flipped violently, bringing out the red flag. Fortunately, Dyer and the other driver escaped injury, but both cars were finished for the night. When racing resumed, Sexton once again checked out on the field. He steadily pulled away and eventually crossed beneath the checkered flag with a half-straightaway advantage to record his first Lightning Sprint Car victory of 2026. Behind him, Taft and Michnowicz became locked in a crowd-pleasing battle for second. Heading into turn three on the final lap, Michnowicz slipped underneath Taft and stole the runner-up position. Nigh and Robertson rounded out the top five. Alpine’s Peter Benker, the defending SCLS champion, earned the Eibach Springs/West Evans Hard Charger Award after charging from 13th to seventh in the main event. The CLS would also like to send an extra thank you to Dustin Dumas and AG Sandcars for putting up an extra $200.00 for the winner of the main event. Up next for the CLS is the penultimate round of its 32nd season at Ventura Raceway on October 17th. The curtain will come down on the 2026 campaign at the same beachside oval one week later on Saturday, October 24th. For updates and complete series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on Facebook or visit the official website at racecls.com. September 19 CLS/BCRA Civil War Merced Speedway Results Keizer Aluminum Wheels Qualifying: 1. Bobby Michnowicz, 14.223; 2. Jeff Dyer 14.408; 3. David Taft, 14.563; 4. Grant Sexton, 14.654; 5. Cody Nigh, 14.685; 6. Jon Robertson, 14.752; 7. Brent Sexton, 14.918; 8. Cody Benker, 14.961; 9. Liam Coffey, 15.013; 10. Shane Sexton, 15.183; 11. Tyler Warner, 15.186; 12. Ryder Pit-McQeen, 15.303; 13. Perter Benker, 15.338; 14. T.J. Tengrove, 16.503; 15. Adam Jones, 16.984; 16. Steve Becker 17.003 Racing Junk Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Brent Sexton, 2. Michnowicz, 3. Nigh, 4. Taft, 5. Coffey, 6. Peter Benker, 7. Jones, 8. Warner Extreme Muffler Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Cody Benker, 2. Dyer, 3. Robertson, 4. Shane Sexton, 5. Tengrove, 6. Pitt-McQueen, 7. Grant Sexton Main Event With Starting Positions (20 Laps) 1. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 1st 2. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 6th 3. David Taft, Ramona, CA … 4th 4. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … 3rd 5. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 2nd 6. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 7th 7. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 13th 8. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … 12th 9. Adam Jones, Santee, CA … 15th 10. T.J. Tengrove, Lakewood, CO … 10th 11. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 5th 12. Grant Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 12th 13. Ryder Pitt-McQueen … 13th 14. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA … 9th 15. Liam Coffey, San Bernardino, CA … 8th DNS Steve Becker Lakewood, CO Heat Races Award Recipient Racing Junk Heat Race #1 winner - Competition Suspension Inc. $50 product certificate Brent Sexton Extreme Muffler Heat Race #2 winner - Extreme Muffler $50 product certificate Cody Benker ARS Heat Race #3 winner - Main Event Award Winner 2nd place - BR Motorsports - $25 product certificate Bobby Michnowicz 3rd place - Saldana Racing Products - $50 product certificate David Taft 4th place - King Racing Products $25 product certificate Cody Nigh 5th place - Smith titanium - Jon Robertson Quick time - Keizer Aluminum Wheels- $50 product certificate Bobby Michnowicz Spring Forward (Hard Charger) - Eibach - $100 product certificate West Evans - $25 product certificate Peter Benker Hard Luck Award - Rebel Gear Steve Becker Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Point Standings 1. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 1108 2. Tyler Warner ®, Alpine, CA … 1071 3. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … 917 4. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 912 5. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA … 842 6. Liam Coffey ®, San Berardino, CA … 841 7. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 664 8. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 641 9. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA … 436 10. Braydin Collie, El Cajon, CA … 422 10. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 422 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 … 507 2. Greg Dennett … 481 3. Liam Coffey … 450 4. Dakota Albright … 390 5. Cody Nigh … 360 6. Aiden Lange … 341 7. Eric Greco … 248 8. Blayden Graham … 231 9. Justin Norton … 219 10. Jon Robertson … 206 CLS vs SCLS California Clash Points 1. David Taft … 345 2. Jeff Dyer … 324 2. Brent Sexton … 324 4. Cody Nigh … 308 5. Cody Benker … 304 6. Peter Benker … 301 7. Shane Sexton … 283 8. Jon Robertson … 262 8. Tyler Warner … 258 9. Aiden Lange … 252 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 – Dakota Albright September 25 CLS with World of Outlaws CLS/SCLS Clash #3 Bakersfield Speedway – Brent Sexton 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