VISALIA, Calif. — Triple digit temperatures and a triple digit field of micro sprints led to a thrilling night two for the Hoosier Tire California Speedweek Wednesday night at Plaza Park Raceway.
A Non-Winged feature full of twists and turns saw Cameron Paul prevail for the $1000 victory. All four winners earned their first career coveted wooden bear trophies with Maverick Myrick, Jaxon Porter, and Jaxson Evett also taking wins.
Austin Torgerson led Hyper Racing qualifying for a $100 prize for the second consecutive night, topping a 37-car Non-Wing field.
Torgerson crossed over T.J. Smith in turn two on the opening circuit to take the lead. Opening night Super 600 winner K.J. Snow slowed in turn four to bring out the first caution flag and he was unable to rejoin.
Opening night winner Jeffrey Pahule was on a mission, advancing from 18th starting position to ninth just before halfway. Cash Lovenburg challenged Smith for second before the two collided in turn four on lap 16 to bring out a caution flag.
Eric Botelho challenged Torgerson for the lead, sliding past him on lap 22. Paul seized second as well. Lovenburg then flipped in turn four for a red flag with five laps remaining. Corbin Rueschenberg went up in smoke in turn three on the following restart from the third position.
Paul made his move on the next green flag, sliding into Botelho in turn two to make the decisive pass for the lead. Paul scored the victory, followed by Botelho, 15th-starting Caden Sarale, Torgerson and Kale Drake.
Maverick Myrick had a much more uneventful path to victory in Super 600.
Myrick started on the pole position and held the lead through several restarts. Snow lost a wheel in turn two to end his race on lap eight. 2023 Plaza Park Super 600 winner Jake Smith spun in turn two and was clipped by Elijah Gile for race ending damage. Khloe Cotton and Pahule were also unable to finish.
Myrick darted to the $1,000 win followed by Cody Christensen, Torgerson, Brecken Reese and 14th-starting Stefan Sidur.
Braxon Porter won the 25-lap Restricted feature worth $500. 2023 series runner-up Blayden Graham earned the Hyper Racing fast time for the second straight evening. Porter won the opening heat race and Braxon Vasconcellos of Visalia won heat two.
Brayton Roberts led the race from the pole position. Porter drove from fourth to cross over Roberts on the inside to lead lap four. Aubri Huckleberry followed into second place.
Porter held off Huckleberry for the win. Graham took over third on lap 15 but never reeled in the top-two runners. Tuesday winner Jace Thurein and Vasconcellos rounded out the top five.
Jaxson Evett won his first-career Jr. Sprints race when he won the 20-lap feature on Wednesday night at the California Speedweek.