BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Forty-three thousandths of a second made all the difference for Jett Yantis on the final lap of Saturday’s USAC Avanti Windows & Doors Western States Midget season opener at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.
Starting seventh, Yantis took over the lead with two circuits remaining after leader Brody Fuson flipped wildly on the back straightaway while holding a commanding lead with the white flag just within sight.
After the red flag, fast qualifier Broedy Graham pressured Yantis high and low during the final two laps around the third-mile dirt oval. However, Yantis was able beat Graham to the stripe by about a wheel for his third career series victory in his Rusty Carlile-owned No. 4.
Series rookie Drake Cardey held the top spot for the initial 12 laps before Fuson ripped around the outside to gain the lead on lap 13. Fuson appeared headed for a comfortable victory until lap 24 of 25 when he became entangled with a car he was attempting to put a lap down. Fuson climbed out and walked away with a 10th place result.
Yantis then led the final two laps to secure a tight victory over Graham in second, with Jake Andreotti third, Cardey fourth and Dane Culver rounding out the top five.
The finish:
Feature (25 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Jett Yantis (7), 2. Broedy Graham (6), 3. Jake Andreotti (5), 4. Drake Cardey (2), 5. Dane Culver (1), 6. Caden Sarale (3), 7. C.J. Sarna (8), 8. Hailey Lambert (11), 9. Adam Weisberg (12), 10. Brody Fuson (4), 11. Terry Nichols (15), 12. Marvin Mitchell (13), 13. Ron Hazelton (14), 14. Connor Speir (9), 15. Kyle Hawse (10).
