The BCRA midget lite division completed a successful season that mixed new drivers with seasoned veterans, at six different speedways. Doug Nunes, of Kingsburg, driving for Lopez Motorsports, prevailed for his third championship in a row, but it was not easy.

Nunes opened the season with a win at Marysville, to continue on from his 08 success. The number 10, of Brian Corso again thrilled the crowd with his rim riding, but could not make that one pass he needed for the win, and Justin Grant took an invitation ride from Lonnie Lopez to finish second.

A full moon was out at the next event in Placerville, where #76 Joey Hoover showed the way to the checker, with one of the finest performances of his career. I asked him after the race what he was thinking as the last lap approached. He said “I hope nothing breaks”. His luck held out, and had a problem in turn two after the checker. Nunes finished fourth, as #6 Rick Holbrook finished second and #9 Chris Glass third.

The #9 Red Hawk Casino entry driven by Chris Glass entered the winners circle at Antioch for race number three, after chasing down the#11x of Jason Sneep, who finished second. Up and coming #35jr Dakota Albright was third followed by #8 of Pete Paulson.
The balance of the division was showing in the first three races.

Race number 4 took the Lites back to Marysville, where 11x Jason Sneep finally got his Lonnie Lopez machine into the winners circle. Sneep had been in the chase all season, with Larry Lavattiata and his dad John Sneep, as his crew chiefs. Brian Corso moved up from his previous finish at Marysville to finish second, followed by Nunes and Paulson.
Four races produced four different main event winners to reflect the balance and of cars and drivers in the Lites. The competition created exciting racing.

A 100 degree day and evening was in store at Placerville for race number 5 of the season. Jason Sneep, and his crew, were on a roll as the track went dry slick, and his set up gave him win number two. Brian Corso was again a bride’s maid, finishing second and Scott Kinney wheeled the #11 Lonnie Lopez entry to third, followed by Albright.

Race 6 took the Lites to the bull ring at Lemoore for the first time. It was the first and only time the Lites had the opportunity to qualify in the season. The bull ring was a handful for drivers used to the big tracks. Cory Ballard, visiting from the So Cal Lightning Sprints took the win, BUT was 6 lbs light at the scales (less than a gallon of fuel) and the race was awarded to #35jr Dakota Albright, producing the 5th different main event winner of the season. Pete Paulson, Chris Glass, and Brian Corso followed Albright to the line.

Returning to Antioch, Sneep continued his domination, winning his third main event. Nunes, Glass and Albright were in the mix, but there is only one spot at the top and Sneeps crew was hitting the set up.

11x Jason Sneep and #1 Doug Nunes are team mates, but Nunes told me he is tired of finishing second. He had to endure that pain again for race number 7 at Placerville as Sneep took his fourth main of the season. Sneep and Nunes battled with Chris Glass looking on followed by Albright.

Getting used to the winners circle, the 11x of Jason Sneep returned to the winners circle for win number 5 at Placerville on August 8th. Nunes, again was the brides maid, scoring points to keep the championship lead, followed by visitor #11 Justin Grant and #6 Rick Holbrook.

Justin Grant took a visiting ride from Lonnie Lopez in his #11 for the only stop at Petaluma Speedway, and made the most of it by finishing with the win. A small field of cars were in attendance, but the names at the top were in the same. Sneep was the brides made, followed by Nunes and Richie Hoover.

Placerville is Nunes favorite track on the circuit and he wanted to get back on the podium. Race #10 was his turn to return to the checkered flag, in first, continuing his march to the championship. #75 Richie Hoover drove the race of his career to finish second followed by Sneep and Holbrook.

Returning to Marysville, Nunes was determined to continue his winning ways, and was successful. Corso and Sneep battled wheel to wheel till the end with Corso again the brides made followed by Sneep and Albright.

A co-sanctioned race with California Lightning Sprints was next on the schedule with show up point only, awarded. Sneep and Nunes were again battling, finishing third and fourth respectively, with Corso and Albright finishing seventh and eighth.

Placerville hosted the last race of the season, and Sneep, again returned to the winners circle for his sixth main of the season. He looked back on two DNF’s that might have cost him the championship. The Red Hawk Casino entry of Chris Glass finished second followed Nunes and Corso. Nunes had a solid season and captured the championship.

Through out the season #6 Rick Holbrook, #53c Cory Green, #62 Marshall Sexton, #77 Zack Beard, #8 Pete Paulson, and #83 Danny Parker showed their strength.

New drivers #88 Nate Buffa, #73 Craig Holsted, #84 Stuart Goehring, #25 Justin Burton, #21 Tim Manning, and #3x Jeff Shurley, drove solid races scoring points. All are looking forward to next season.

Qualifying points may have been a factor in determining a champion, and would be an interesting element of the 2010 season, if the Lites can sell the idea to a promoter.
The midget lite season was captured on video by Pro-Motion Video. All races and a total season compilation will be available on DVD in November. Interviews with drivers and teams will be included in the DVD’s, which make the product different from just a racing DVD.

Tammy Green took over control of the Midget Lite web site, and her skills show, with up to date stories and information. Video clips of races and interviews are on tap for next season.

A marketing effort for BCRA is in the works by myself and Robert Haugh. As it rolls out, information will be posted on the bcraracing.com. We are looking for Outlaw Kart drivers and 600 Micro drivers to move to BCRA. 2010 is going to be a new and exciting challenge.