Albright Wins Main at Sold-Out Ventura – Michnowicz and Taft Win Championships Torrance, CA — October 1, 2026 — Longtime Bay Cities Racing Association star Dakota Albright captured the main event while Bobby Michnowicz and David Taft wrapped up championships in front of a sellout crowd last Saturday night at Ventura Raceway. Albright’s victory came in the co-sanctioned California Lightning Sprints/SoCal Lightning Sprints main event. Michnowicz secured his fifth title in the 10-year history of the Western States Lightning Sprint Championship, while Taft became the first-ever champion of the California Clash Series. Winner Dakota Albright (center) with 2nd Place Jarrett Kramer (right) and third place Jeff Dyer. CLS photo. Run on the same card as the legendary World of Outlaws Sprint Cars’ first appearance at the track known as “The Commotion by the Ocean,” the event was a complete sellout. Not only were every grandstand seat sold, but pit passes were sold out as well. In addition to the capacity crowd at the track, the action was streamed live around the world on DirtVision. As was the case the previous evening, seven-time CLS champion Michnowicz turned the fastest lap in Keizer Aluminum Wheels Qualifying with a 12.180. His teammate, three-time CLS champion Jarrett Kramer, was second quickest at 12.308. Taft wheeled to the third-fastest time around the tiny oval at 12.311. CLS point leader Jeff Dyer was fourth at 12.366, while Cody Nigh, winner of the March 21 race at Ventura, rounded out the top five with a 12.398. Rising teenage star Warner held off seasoned veterans Dyer and Michnowicz to win Racing Junk Heat Race #1. Kramer brought home the bacon in Extreme Muffler Heat #2. Teenager Drake Cardey, who finished second in the 2025 CLS standings and earned Rookie of the Year honors, placed second, with Nigh third. In ARS Heat #3, visitor Albright scored the victory over Taft and “Rockstar” Jon Robertson. With the capacity crowd looking on, Albright, who already had two CLS victories under his belt in 2026, started on the pole. Nigh joined him on the front row. Dyer and Taft occupied row two, with teammates Kramer and Michnowicz in row three. Tyler Warner and Cardey were next in the starting order. When the green flag sent the field charging toward turn one, Nigh gained a slight advantage over Albright. However, minor contact between the front-row starters triggered a massive tangle involving no fewer than 10 cars, with five of them coming to a stop. The most fortunate man in the house was Albright. He nearly came to a stop but managed to keep moving. Had he stopped, he would have been sent to the back with the other cars that came to a halt. Instead, he returned to the pole, with new outside front-row starter Dyer alongside when starter Kris Kornder sent the field away again. The competitors managed to complete one lap before two more yellow flags slowed the action. The first was for debris in turn four, and the second came when a pair of back markers stopped in turn one. Once the field was finally able to string some laps together, Albright flexed his muscle and stretched his advantage to five car lengths over Dyer by lap three. A couple of circuits later, as the leaders approached lapped traffic, Dyer closed back in. The California Highway Patrol officer went to the outside entering turn one but got too sideways, allowing Albright to pull away once again. With a massive pack of lapped cars looming just ahead, Dyer quickly reeled Albright back in and shot to the inside for the lead entering turn three on lap six. Coming off turn four, Dyer dove to the bottom to get around a slower car running through the middle. At the same time, Albright chose the high road, and by the time they reached turn one, Albright had regained control of the top spot. Another yellow flag soon followed. Albright, Dyer, Kramer, Warner and Taft made up the top five for the restart. Things changed on lap nine when Dyer encountered an issue exiting turn two, allowing Kramer to sail past. The new second-place driver immediately began chipping away at Albright’s advantage. By lap 13, the top three were running nose-to-tail. As they exited turn four to complete the lap, Kramer dove to the inside and nearly pulled alongside Albright. Once again, Albright, aboard the Vito Trucking/J&A Powder Coating/Romey’s Window Cleaning #35Jr, was equal to the challenge and maintained the lead entering turn one. One final yellow flag interrupted the action, but Albright flexed his muscle again on the restart and closed out the 25-lapper with a five-car-length advantage at the checkered flag. Kramer finished second, Dyer was third and Warner crossed the line fourth. Ageless Michnowicz, who has raced at Ventura for over 40 years, was one of the drivers forced to the rear after the opening-lap tangle. He charged back through the field and passed Taft late in the race to finish fifth. For the second night in a row, 2025 SCLS champion Peter Benker took home the Eibach Spring Forward and West Evans Hard Luck awards after starting 12th and finishing seventh. “Shugah’” Shane Sexton received the Rebel Gears Hard Luck Award. For the CLS G.O.A.T., the result secured his fifth Western States Lightning Sprint Championship in the event’s 10-year history. This year’s triumph was a little different, as for the first time the championship was contested over two nights rather than one. When the final checkered flag waved, Michnowicz held a 17-point advantage over SCLS point leader Taft. Michnowicz’s nephew Nigh finished third, followed by Dyer and CLS-leading rookie Warner. While Taft finished second in the WSLSC standings, he came away with the inaugural California Clash Series championship. The four-race series pitted CLS competitors against their SCLS counterparts. Taft’s 461 points were 10 more than runner-up Dyer. Nigh finished third in the Clash as well, with Peter Benker and Brent Sexton rounding out the top five. The CLS now gets a couple of weeks off before returning to Ventura Raceway for the final two races of its 32nd season on October 17 and 24. Dyer maintains the championship lead heading into those events. Warner, contesting his first full CLS season, sits second, 43 points behind. Just as he did in the two mini-series that concluded last weekend, Nigh occupies third. Veteran Robertson is fourth, while rookie Liam Coffey, driving an ex-Jeff Dyer car, rounds out the top five. 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 main event winner. For updates and complete series information, follow the California Lightning Sprint Car Series on Facebook or visit the official website at racecls.com. Keizer Aluminum Wheels Qualifying: 1. Bobby Michnowicz, 12.180; 2. Jarrett Kramer, 12.308; 3. David Taft, 12.311; 4. Jeff Dyer, 12.366; 5. Cody Nigh, 12.398; 6. Dakota Albright, 12.409; 7. Tyler Warner 12.470; 8. Drake Cardey, 12.482; 9. Cody Benker, 12.618; 10. T.J. Tengrove, 12.651; 11. Brent Sexton, 12.694; 12. Jon Robertson, 12.771; 13. Peter Benker, 12.777; 14. Liam Coffey, 12.786; 15. Ryder Pitt-McQueen, 13.094; 16. Ryan Greco, 13.175; 17. Adam Jones, 13.261; 18. Marlie Andrie, 13.461; 19. Ted Krupa, 13.520; 20. Dale Gamer, 13.905; No Time Shane Sexton; No Time Steve Becker Racing Junk Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Warner, 2. Dyer, 3. Michnowicz, 4. Tengrove, 5. Becker, 6. Becker, 7. Greco, 8. Krupa Extreme Muffler Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Kramer, 2. Cardey, 3. Nigh, 4. Brent Sexton, 5. Coffey, 6. Gamer ARS Heat #3 (8 Laps): 1. Albright, 2. Taft, 3. Robertson, 4. Cody Benker, 5. Jones, 6. Andrie, 7. Pitt-McQueen, DNS Shane Sexton Main Event With Starting Positions (20 Laps) 1. Dakota Albright, CA … 1st 2. Jarrett Kramer, Spring Valley, CA … 5th 3. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 3rd 4. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … 7th 5. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 6th 6. David Taft, Ramona, CA …4th 7. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 12th 8. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … 2nd 9. David Cardey, Riverside, CA … 8th 10. Liam Coffey, San Bernardino, CO … 14th 11. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 11th 12. Steve Becker, Lakewood, CO … 17th 13. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 9th 14. Ryan Greco, Palmdale, CA … 19th 15. T.J. Tengrove, Lakewood, CO … 13th 16. Marlie Andrie, Oak View … 21st 17. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 10th 18. Dale Gamer, Anaheim, CA … 15th 19. Adam Jones, Santee, CA … 20th 20. Ted Krupa, Ventura, CA … 22nd 21. Ryder Pitt-McQueen, Oak View, CA … 18th 22. Shane Sexton, Warner Springs, CA … 16th 2026 CLS Contingency Awards A red and white sign with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.A logo with palm trees AI-generated content may be incorrect. A red and white text on a black background Sep 26th– Ventura Heat Races Award Recipient Racing Junk Heat Race #1 winner - Competition Suspension Inc. $50 product certificate Tyler Warner Extreme Muffler Heat Race #2 winner - Extreme Muffler $50 product certificate Jarrett Krramer ARS Heat Race #3 winner Dakota Albright Main Event Award Winner 2nd place BR Motorsports - $25 product certificate Jarrett Kramer 3rd place Saldana Racing Products - $50 product certificate Jeff Dyer 4th place King Racing Products $25 product certificate Tyler Warner 5th place Smith titanium - Bobby Michnowicz 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 Shane Sexton Criteria Award CLS Member Extreme Mufflers 10% off purchase CLS Member EZ Up 30-40% off purchase CLS Member RC Fuel Injection 50% off products and services to all race series participants CLS Member Rod End Supply $30 off each $100 for CLS participants Series Champion Triple X Race Components $500 off any chassis or chassis kit Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Point Standings 1. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … 1234 2. Tyler Warner ®, Alpine, CA … 1191 3. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … 1016 4. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 991 5. Liam Coffey ®, San Berardino, CA … 922 6. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA … 842 7. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 760 8. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 719 9. Peter Benker, Alpine, CA … 519 10. Cody Benker, Alpine, CA … 465 Final California Clash Series Points (CLS vs SCLS) 1. David Taft … 461 2. Jeff Dyer … 450 3. Cody Nigh … 407 4. Peter Benker … 398 5. Brent Sexton … 379 6. Tyler Warner … 378 7. Cody Benker … 376 8. Jon Robertson … 341 9. Shane Sexton … 325 10. Liam Coffey … 297 Final Points 10th Annual Western States Lightning Sprints Championship 1. Bobby Michnowicz … 254 2. David Taft … 237 3. Cody Nigh … 218 4. Jeff Dyer … 215 5. Tyler Warner … 208 6. Jon Robertson … 192 6. Peter Benker … 192 8. Brent Sexton … 190 9. Cody Benker … 181 10. Liam Coffey … 144 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 Final 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 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 – Dakota Albright 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