Local Cody Nigh Wins California Lightning Sprint Season Finale; Jeff Dyer Clinches First Championship Torrance, CA — October 27, 2026 — Cody Nigh, who grew up around the legendary Ventura Raceway, gave the hometown fans plenty to cheer about last Saturday night when he captured the final Motor City Buick/GMC California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event of the 2026 season. While Nigh was celebrating his victory at the famous oceanside oval, longtime series competitor Jeff Dyer was celebrating something as well—his first CLS championship. Dyer became the 16th different driver to claim the title in the series’ 32-year history. The season finale almost never happened. After a cancelation the previous week due to high winds that damaged the facility, the race was once again in jeopardy when heavy rain soaked the track during the week. However, Ventura Raceway officials and their hardworking crew refused to throw in the towel. They shifted into high gear, worked tirelessly to get the surface race-ready, and saved the show. Winner Cody Nigh with 2nd place finisher Tyler Warner (right) and 3rd place Bobby Michnowicz. CLS Photo For Nigh, who grew up in nearby Camarillo, California, the victory was his second CLS triumph of 2026. His first came in the series' Ventura opener on March 21st. Saturday's win also provided the finishing touch on a successful campaign for Nigh, securing third place in the Motor City Buick/GMC championship standings. 2026 California Lightning Sprint Car Champion Jeff Dyer. CLS Photo. Nigh, a graduate of San Diego State University, served notice early that he was going to be a major factor in the finale. He topped Kaiser Aluminum Wheels Qualifying with a sizzling lap of 13.285 seconds. USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series standout AJ Bender, wheeling Mike Schweitzer's #41, was second quickest at 13.349. Seven-time CLS champion Bobby Michnowicz was third at 13.463. Talented rookie Tyler Warner and Dyer completed the five fastest qualifiers with laps of 13.485 and 13.494, respectively. The final two heat races of the season produced wins for a veteran and a rookie. Michnowicz took top honors in Racing Junk Heat #1, holding off “Rockstar” Jon Robertson and California Highway Patrol officer Dyer. Rookie Liam Coffey claimed the final Extreme Muffler heat race of 2026, beating Warner and Bender to the checkered flag. When the field rolled onto the track for the final 25-lap main event of the year, Nigh occupied the pole position with Warner alongside on the front row. Michnowicz and Braydin Collie made up row two, while Bender and Dyer started side by side in the third row. For Dyer, the championship mathematics were straightforward. A ninth-place finish or better would guarantee him the crown. However, if Warner won the main event and Dyer finished 10th or worse, the rookie would steal the championship. That made every lap, every restart, and every position crucial for the veteran driver. Nigh, driving the Pinky's Tire Service/Cory Kruseman Sprint Car Driving School/TJ Forged/K1 Race Gear/Wicked Chassis/Harlan Willis/Photos by Schnarzy/Channel Island Floor Covering #45, wasted no time taking command. When the green lights flashed to start the final main event of 2026, he immediately charged into the lead. Warner mounted a brief challenge coming off turn two on the opening lap, but Nigh slammed the door and maintained the top spot. As it turned out, that was the only serious challenge the eventual winner would face all night. Behind the leaders, Michnowicz slipped past Collie before the opening lap was completed and settled into third, a position he would hold all the way to the checkered flag. Warner remained within striking distance of Nigh through the opening five laps, but by lap six, the leader began stretching his advantage. Even three caution flags, which repeatedly erased his lead and bunched the field, could not slow Nigh's march toward victory. Meanwhile, Dyer was doing exactly what he needed to do—staying out of trouble. Running fifth, he had no intention of taking unnecessary chances. However, on a lap 13 restart, he drifted wide entering turn one. Coffey, driving a car he purchased from Dyer last winter, saw the opening, darted to the inside, and took over fifth. Although the third and final yellow flag appeared late in the race, it did little to change the outcome. Nigh was simply too strong. He powered away once again and raced beneath the final checkered flag of the 2026 CLS season with plenty of breathing room. Warner capped his impressive rookie campaign with a runner-up finish. Michnowicz crossed the line third, followed by Bender and Coffey, who completed the top five. Newcomer Ryder Pitt-McQueen earned the Eibach Spring Forward/West Evans Hard Charger Award after advancing from 11th on the starting grid to eighth at the finish. Collie, whose night ended prematurely on lap 12, was the recipient of the Rebel Gear Hard Luck Award. After climbing out of his winning car, Nigh was quick to recognize the extraordinary effort that made the race possible. “Thanks to the Ventura Raceway,” Nigh said after his win. “For all intents and purposes, we should not have been here tonight. These guys have been busting their asses the last 48 hours trying to get any semblance of a racetrack together.” “That was not as easy as it looked,” the happy winner continued. “I am wore the hell out. I am just so thankful for my folks, my grandpa, and all the CLS does for us. I also want to thank the Cory Kruseman Sprint Car Driving School, TJ Forged, Doug Nunes, who built this Wicked Chassis, Harlan Willis, Photos by Schnarzy, Pinkies Tire Service and Channel Islands Floor Covering.” Once Nigh finished celebrating his victory in front of the hometown crowd, it was time for the spotlight to shift to the man who had just completed a season-long mission. For Jeff Dyer, the championship represented years of determination, countless hours in the shop, and a commitment to finally chase the title over an entire season. “It has been a long time coming and we have worked real hard this year,” the new champ said after thanking his wife. “I ran this club and the other club (SCLS). I think I ran a total of 35 races this year. I told everyone at the banquet in February I was going to win the championship.” “I have been doing this for 12 years,” the ex US Army Demolition Expert went on. “I was in the military and now I am a cop. So, I couldn’t really put a whole schedule together. This was the first time we were able to. It is a lot of work.” While the veteran racer was thrilled to finally claim the championship, he admitted that playing it safe in the season finale went against his competitive instincts. “I hate point racing, and I had a good car in the main,” Dyer continued. “I knew what I had to do and I did not want to tear anything up. I hate racing like that, but sometimes you have to look at the big picture.” That big-picture approach paid off. When the final championship points were tallied, Dyer held a 43-point advantage over Warner to claim the coveted title. Despite coming up one position short of the championship, Warner had plenty of reasons to celebrate. In addition to finishing second in the standings, the talented youngster captured the CLS Rookie of the Year Award. Remarkably, it marked the second consecutive season that a rookie finished runner-up in the championship chase while also earning Rookie of the Year honors. A year ago, that distinction belonged to Drake Cardey, who has since moved on and is currently battling for the championship in the USAC Western Midget Series. Nigh's season-ending victory secured third place in the final standings, with Robertson and Coffey rounding out the top five. With the racing portion of the 2026 campaign now in the record books, the California Lightning Sprint Cars will turn their attention to celebrating the season's accomplishments. The annual CLS Awards Banquet, featuring great food, good company, championship presentations, and plenty of bench racing, is scheduled for: Saturday, February 6, 2027, at 6:00 p.m. Frantone’s Pizza & Spaghetti Villa Cerritos, California Tickets: $40 per person Please mail checks to: California Lightning Sprints 24325 Crenshaw Blvd. #146 Torrance, CA 90505 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. Cody Nigh, 13.285; 2. AJ Bender, 13.349; 3. Bobby Michnowicz 13.463; 4. Tyler Warner, 13.485; 5. Jeff Dyer, 13.494; 6. Braydin Collie, 13.768; 7. Marlee Andrie, 14.107; 8. Liam Coffey, 14.241; 9. Jon Robertson, 14.380; 10. Leland Day, 14.405; 11. Ryder Pitt-McQueen, 14.758; 12. Dale Gamer, 15.533; 13. Mike Kotlinski Racing Junk Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Michnowicz, 2. Robertson, 3. Dyer, 4. Nigh, 5. Andrie, 6. Pitt McQueen Extreme Muffler Heat #2 (8 Laps): 1. Coffey, 2. Warner, 3. Bender, 4. Collie, 5. Day, 6. Kotlinski Main Event With Starting Positions and Distance Behind the Leader (25 Laps) 1. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … (1st) 2. Tyler Warner, Alpine, CA … (2nd) … +1.260 3. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … (3rd) … +1.891 4. AJ Bender, San Diego, CA … (5th) … +2.483 5. Liam Coffey, San Bernardino, CA … (7th) … +3.892 6. Jeff Dyer, Yucca Valley, CA … (6th) … +4.618 7. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … (9th) … +8.295 8. Ryder Pitt-McQueen, Ojai, CA … (11th) … +9.210 9. Marlee Andree, Oak Veiw, CA … (8th) … +9.730 10. Dake Gamer, Anaheim, CO … (12th) … +1 Lap 11. Braydin Collie, El Cajon, CA … (4th) … +13 Laps 12. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA … (10th) … +13 Laps DNS Ryan Greco, Palmdale, CA 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 - Bobby Michnowicz Extreme Muffler Heat Race #2 winner Extreme Muffler $50 product certificate - Liam Coffey Main Event Award Winner 2nd place BR Motorsports - $25 product certificate - Tyler Warner 3rd place Saldana Racing Products - $50 product certificate - Bobby Michnowicz 4th place King Racing Products $25 product certificate - AJ Bender 5th place Smith titanium - Liam Coffey Quick time Keizer Aluminum Wheels- $50 product certificate - Cody Nigh Spring Forward (Hard Charger) Eibach - $100 product certificate West Evans - $25 product certificate - Ryder Pitt-McQueen Hard Luck Award Rebel Gear - Braydin Collie 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 … 1343 2. Tyler Warner ®, Alpine, CA … 1322 3. Cody Nigh, Camarillo, CA … 1154 4. Jon Robertson, Torrance, CA … 1092 5. Liam Coffey ®, San Berardino, CA … 1036 6. Bobby Michnowicz, Oak Hills, CA … 889 7. Aiden Lange, Lakewood, CA … 842 8. Brent Sexton, Lakeside, CA … 719 9. Leland Day, Bakersfield, CA … 510 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 24 CLS Ventura Raceway – Cody Nigh 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 2026 Jeff Dyer 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