MERCED, Calif. – Racing forward from fifth, Austin Liggett slipped by Jake Swanson on the 11th lap and sprinted to Friday night’s California Sprint Week victory at Merced Speedway.
Piloting his family-owned No. 83 Excel Environmental Services/Liggett Trucking Maxim, Liggett scored his second career AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car triumph and became the tenth driver to win in fifteen races.
The defending USAC West Coast champion finished ahead of “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr., Chase Johnson, Brody Roa and Swanson.
Ryan Bernal earned the Specialty Fasteners Hard Charger Award with a 20th-to-eighth run. Koen Shaw claimed the Wilwood Disc Brakes “Lucky 13 Award” and Colby Johnson scored the USAC 360 bonus for the second race in a row.
Damion Gardner posted his 89th career Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award and a new track record in qualifying to start the night, with a time of 12.085 over the 20-car field.
The night’s 10-lap heat race victories went to Gardner, Swanson and Austin Williams.
The finish:
1. Austin Liggett (5), 2. Danny Faria Jr. (3), 3. Chase Johnson (11), 4. Brody Roa (2), 5. Jake Swanson (1), 6. Austin Williams (9), 7. Damion Gardner (6), 8. Ryan Bernal (20), 9. Charles Davis Jr. (4), 10. Colby Johnson (7), 11. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (8), 12. Mike Martin (13), 13. Koen Shaw (19), 14. Steve Hix (18), 15. Chris Gansen (12), 16. Sean Watts (16), 17. Mark Barroso (14), 18. Matt McCarthy (10), 19. Austin Ervine (17).