SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Billy Aton picked up his first career NARC-Fujitsu King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series win at Santa Maria Raceway on Saturday night.Â
Aton drove the family-owned bright orange and white No. 26, leading all 30 laps after starting from the pole.
Dominic Scelzi, who won the night before at Tulare and is leading the season long point standings, was closing in on Aton but ran out of laps and settled for the runner-up spot in the Scelzi Enterprises No. 41.
J.J. Ringo charged thru the field after starting in the 12th position filled out the podium. Ringo received the Swift Metal Finishing Hardcharger award for his effort.
Aton and Bud Kaeding made up the front row as the two would be involved in the race’s first slowdown as Aton got loose going into the fourth turn, got half sideways but was straightened out by Kaeding whose contact got him over on his side bringing out the red flag.Â
D.J. Netto and Sean Becker were also involved as both of their cars went to the work area along with Kaeding. Further back in the field, Mitchell Moles made contact with the third turn wall and sustained enough damage to his front end, that he became the race’s first retiree.
Kaeding, Netto and Becker were able to return and tag the end of the field. After the restart with Aton leading Ryan Robinson, he would be Kaeding and Becker who would cause the next caution period as their cars stopped on the race track.
With a double-file restart, it would be Aton who would pick the bottom line. he next caution was charged to Jesse Attard and Becker whose cars would slow as both cars had suffered right-rear flats.Â
It would be Corey Day who would step up and challenge Aton on lap nine. is bad luck would continue as he would bring out the caution when he ran into the stopped Becker, who was just attempting to pass a car but made contact, spun and was then run into by Day.
Robinson would put pressure on Aton, but his challenge was short lived near the halfway point as Scelzi got around him. Robinson would eventually pull into the infield and out of the race.
Aton beat Scelzi to the finish, with Tim Kaeding third.
The finish:
Billy Aton, Dominic Scelzi, J.J. Ringo, D.J. Netto, Tim Kaeding, Bryce Eames, Sean Watts, Jesse Attard, Sean Becker, Mark Barroso, Brooklyn Holland, Jeffery Strole, Keith Day Jr., Ryan Robinson, Corey Day, James Herrera, Bud Kaeding, Mitchel Moles