Raul Gomez protected his crown during Saturday’s Nitto Race of Kings and scored a second consecutive victory in the King of the Hammers’ most prestigious race.
While Paul Wolff was the top qualifier in the 4400 Unlimited class, it was past “King” Jason Scherer who took the race lead early on. The field was set for three laps around the treacherous, 200-mile course.
As they neared the end, Scherer had yet to relent first position.
Nonetheless, fourth-qualifier Gomez had kept close to Scherer throughout the day. On the last lap, as the two were only miles away from the finish line, Gomez was informed he would beat Scherer on corrected time.
Scherer officially crossed the line first, but Gomez was proclaimed “King” when he finished the race in second.
Josh Blyler came in third.
More than 100 vehicles started the race, but only 35 cars finished.