MARYSVILLE, Calif. – John Michael Bunch took the lead on lap two and collected the win in the 360 sprint car class Sunday evening at Marysville Raceway.
The race was moved to Sunday to accommodate airing the event on pay-per-view, a necessary adjustment when fans are not allowed.
A 31 car field of winged 360 sprints was led by Blake Carrick in qualifying as the Lincoln, Calif., driver posted a 13.174-second lap.
Four heats inverted 4 and moved the heat winners and fastest four to transfer to a redraw to set the first four rows. B main racing added another four to create a 20-car field.
The 25-lap main had Bunch and Brad Bumgarner draw front row assignments.
It was J.J. Hickle leading the first lap before Bunch ran the top to take over on lap two. Bunch led the rest of the laps to collect his fifth career Marysville win, but it was thrilling action along the way.
Bunch stayed with the top while a great battle between Hickle and Blake Carrick for second raged on lap after lap.
Carrick closed on Bunch when he was clear of Hickle briefly but a yellow with seven laps remaining allowed Bunch to pull away a bit from his pursuers.
The last handful of laps featured a four car battle for second with sliders adding to the drama.
Carrick was able to emerge from the multi-car battle to finish second with Hickle, Shane Hopkins, and Tanner Carrick filling the top five.
Brett Youngman won the crate sprint main and Andrew Peckham collected the IMCA Northern sport mod finale. Kyle Cheney ended the evening with a hobby stock victory.
Marysville will next race Wednesday, June 24.