BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Drake Edwards won his fifth points paying Western Midget Racing race of the season by striking black gold in the inaugural series race at Bakersfield Speedway on Saturday night. The victory was also Edwards’ third in the last four races.
Edwards and Joey Klemish split the eight-lap heat races with 13 midgets on hand. They shared the second row for the feature after a four-car invert. Darin Horton and Logan Mitchell were the front row starters for the 25-lap main event.
Klemish made a strong maneuver on the inside in turn four to lead the opening lap in his first career series start. Edwards and points leader Bryant Bell battled side-by-side in turn two before banging wheels, sending Bell onto his side for a red flag on lap three. Bell was able to rejoin the action at the rear of the field.
Edwards equaled Klemish’s move, driving inside of turn four to nab the lead himself on lap six. Edwards built up a sizable 3.58-second lead at the checkered flag for the coveted win.
Klemish debuted well in second place with Nate Wait finishing third. Mitchell, who sits second in points, kept a resurgent Bell at bay in the battle for fourth, gaining two points in the championship battle. Bell will have just an eight-point advantage on Mitchell with two races remaining in the season.
Feature Finish (25 Laps)
1. 4R-Drake Edwards[4]; 2. 7A-Joey Klemish[3]; 3. 35W-Nate Wait[7]; 4. 96X-Logan Mitchell[2]; 5. 09-Bryant Bell[5]; 6. 3-Jerry Kobza[9]; 7. 66-Darin Horton[1]; 8. 15-Adam Weisberg[11]; 9. 54-Anthony Bruno[6]; 10. 20-Kyle Hawse[10]; 11. 31-Todd Hawse[8]; 12. 57-Blaine Craft[13]; 13. (DNS) X-Terry Nichols