BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — R.J. Johnson charged from sixth starting spot to win Saturday night’s Golden Empire Clash at The Dirt Track at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.
Chris Gansen led the first lap of the 30-lap USAC-CRA Sprint Car Series main event before giving way to Cody Williams on the second lap.
Johnson, who was the fast qualifier, used a lap-17 restart to power into the lead. He led the remainder of the distance, holding off Logan Williams for the victory.
A.J. Bender, Eddie Tafoya Jr. and Tommy Malcolm, who started 14th, completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. R.J. Johnson (6), 2. Logan Williams (9), 3. A.J. Bender (5), 4. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (7), 5. Tommy Malcolm (14), 6. Cody Williams (4), 7. Austin Williams (8), 8. Chris Gansen (1), 9. Ryan Timmons (11), 10. Brent Owens (2), 11. Chris Ennis (17), 12. Verne Sweeney (13), 13. Jon DeWees (16), 14. Camie Bell (18), 15. Brody Roa (3), 16. Elexa Herrera (15), 17. David Gasper (10), 18. Austin Grabowski (12).
