Bakersfield Speedway
Decker holds off Hogge for Bakersfield victory
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 31) — Polesitter Jeff Decker of San Jose, Calif., survived an onslaught of pressure from Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas, Calif.., in the final laps of Saturday’s feature at Bakersfield Speedway to capture his first West Coast Late Model Shootout victory of the season.
Decker’s second series victory of his career paid $2,000 and came in the first leg of a Labor Day weekend doubleheader for the California-based series. Hogge settled for second while hometown driver Rob Sanders topped two-time defending series champion Clay Daly of Watsonville, Calif.., and Tommy Malcolm of Corona, Calif., in a three-way battle for third.
The series moves to Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway on Sunday for another $2,000-to-win event.
Notes: Deckers’ sponsors include The Pink Poodle, Alviso Rock, S and S Automotive, Atomic Signs, E3 Designs. ... A lap-19 caution for debris set up the late-race chaos. ... Roger Holder suffered a broken right front on lap eight. ... Nick Bartels slowed with a flat tire on the sixth lap. ... Brad Pounds won the tour's previous event on Aug. 10 at Bakersfield; he did not enter Saturday's event. ... Hogge was a late entrant after suffering a flat tire en route to the track.
West Coast Shootout @ Bakersfield: (1) Jeff Decker, (2) Bobby Hogge IV, (3) Rob Sanders, (4) Clay Daly, (5) Tommy Malcolm, (6) Mike Kirby, (7) Tony Toste, (8) Andy Obertello, (9) Larry Childress, (10) Steve Drake, (11) Jason Papich, (12) Devin Crockett, (13) Nick Bartels, (14) Larry Wise, (15) Cody Laney, (16) Jeff Manka, (17) Bruce Duckett, (18) Dennis Souza, (19) Carla Laney, (20) Roger Holder. Fast qualifier (among 20 cars): Drake, 13.378 seconds. Heat winners: Drake, Bartels, Hogge. Dash winner: Decker.
