Night two Western SportMod Nationals checkers fly for Docekal

Northern SportMod, Results

Joe Docekal topped the night two qualifier Saturday, at Yreka Speedway’s Western SportMod Nationals. (Photo by Blissful Moments Photography)

By Ben Deatherage

YREKA, Calif. (July 12, 2024) – The Finley Farms Western SportMod Nationals returned to racing with scorching temperatures outside and action on the track at Yreka Speedway on Friday night. The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods were in attendance for the second of three nights of action, and the top eight finishers of the main event were locked into Saturday’s grand finale.

Derek Murphy and Tate Loftis from Bakersfield engaged in a fierce battle for the early lead, with Murphy narrowly leading the opening lap. Loftis stuck to Murphy’s tail, maintaining his position on the inside line while Murphy ruled the top of the track. 

Loftis got the necessary run on Murphy to take the lead on the seventh circuit. Shortly after the overtake, the new trailblazer started pulling away from the new runner-up as Joe Docekal occupied third.

Docekal made a successful pass on lap 16 for second. The Dysart, Iowa driver quickly closed in on Loftis and challenged for the race lead. His sweeping move inside Loftis on the 20th trip past the flag stand was a masterclass move. Despite heavy lapped traffic looming, Loftis was unable to reclaim first.

The race took a dramatic turn on lap 22 when Murphy made significant contact with the front stretch wall, resulting in a caution being thrown and ending his night. When the green flag waved on the restart the Docekal surged ahead of the pack, leaving Loftis and Ryan Peery to battle it out for second place.

When the checkered flag dropped, Docekal emerged victorious while Loftis held on to second and Peery settled for third. Jason Bannister was fourth while Tyler Rodgers completed the top five.

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