BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Friday night’s practice session at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway gave teams their final opportunity to prepare for Saturday’s October Classic, where multiple championships will be decided during the CARS Tour West season finale.
The October 17 event, presented by Haddad Dodge RAM, features the CARS Tour Southwest Pro Late Models competing in the Harvey L. Hall 125, along with the CARS Tour West/Kern Raceway Limited Late Models in the Haddad Dodge RAM 75.
One of the weekend’s biggest storylines involves the Pro Late Model championship battle, where Robby Sawyer enters the finale holding a narrow 11-point advantage over Kyle Keller.
Sawyer leads the standings with 344 points, followed by Keller with 333 and Jaron Giannini with 326. Just 18 points separate the three championship contenders heading into the final race of the season.
Another championship battle involves the $7,500 Pro Late Model Triple Crown, which has produced a competitive points race through the first two rounds.
With the top two entries in the standings absent from this weekend’s competition, the No. 22 Dick Shepherd entry sits third with 76 points, followed by Steve McGowan’s No. 7 with 72 and Charlie Wilson’s No. 12 with 70.
The No. 9 Jeff Jefferson entry remains within striking distance with 67 points, while Brandon Riehl’s entries hold 66 points apiece.
The close standings leave several teams with an opportunity to improve their positions in the final Triple Crown standings, adding another element to Saturday’s Pro Late Model competition.
Championship implications extend beyond the headline division.
The CARS Tour West/Kern Raceway Limited Late Models will conclude their championship season with the 75-lap Haddad Dodge RAM 75, while Frank’s Radio Legends will determine their CARS Tour West champion.
The NASCAR Crown Vics will also contest their Kern Raceway championship finale.
