Jake Swanson in action at Calistoga Speedway. (Devin Mayo photo)

Swanson Bounces Back In California Sprint Week

CALISTOGA, Calif. – After crashing the previous night, Jake Swanson reclaimed the lead from Ryan Bernal on lap 23 and won the Sunday California Sprint Week feature at Calistoga Speedway.

Racing the John Grau and Mike Burkhart-owned No. 34AZ Stratis Construction/Team AZ Racing DRC, Swanson’s Louie Vermeil Classic triumph was his second AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car win of the season.

Bernal, Jason McDougal, Danny Faria Jr., and fast qualifier Austin Liggett rounded out the top-five drivers.

Geoff Ensign earned the Specialty Fasteners/Saldana Racing Products Hard Charger Award with a 17th to seventh-place run. Mike Martin claimed the Wilwood Disc Brakes Lucky 13 Award with a 13th-place finish in the main event.

Liggett scored his first career USAC/CRA Woodland Auto Display Fast Time Award by posting a time of 19.666 seconds over the 24-car roster.

The night’s eight-lap heat race victories went to Damion Gardner, Austin Williams and Jace Vander Weerd.

Rico Abreu won the headlining King of the West/NARC feature.

The finish:

1. Jake Swanson (2), 2. Ryan Bernal (4), 3. Jason McDougal (10), 4. Danny Faria Jr. (1), 5. Austin Liggett (6), 6. Charles Davis Jr. (12), 7. Geoff Ensign (17), 8. Damion Gardner (3), 9. Chase Johnson (5), 10. Richard Vander Weerd (9), 11. Jace Vander Weerd (15), 12. Brody Roa (11), 13. Mike Martin (23), 14. Matt McCarthy (13) (13), 15. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (16), 16. Chris Gansen (14), 17. Billy Aton (18), 18. Austin Williams (8), 19. Steve Hix (22), 20. Terry Schank Jr. (20), 21. Tommy Malcolm (19), 22. Jake Morgan (21), 23. Bud Kaeding (7), 24. Michael Faccinto (24).