Pike Rules IMCA Modifieds at Bakersfield

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Stock Car

Photo by Blakesley Sports Media

By Steven Blakesley

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2025) – Pahrump, Nevada’s Jake Pike battled past Bakersfield’s Gavyn Manning over the final three laps to win the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

22 IMCA Modifieds took the green flag for the 30-lap feature. Pike started eighth and advanced into the lead past Austin Keifer of Corona on lap 13. Keifer tracked him back down before a caution flew on lap 17. Pike held court on the subsequent restart. 11th-starting Gavyn Manning and 13th-starting B-Main transfer Ricky Childress, Jr. battled for second position. Childress retired from the race on lap 20, however.

A caution on lap 27 set up a three-lap shootout between Pike and Manning. Manning drove inside Pike and the pair raced side-by-side through turns three and four. Manning pushed up the track with his front wheels in the air, allowing Pike to drive around the outside to maintain the lead. Pike grabbed the $750 checkered flag, his first this season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region, followed by Manning for a second straight runner-up finish. Bakersfield’s Brad Pounds finished third followed by 17th starting Bryan Clark and Kiefer.

Bannister Doubles Up at Bakersfield with Back-to-Back SportMod Wins 

Tyler Bannister of Bakersfield is now two-for-two in 2025 Karl Chevrolet IMCA Sport Mod competition at Bakersfield Speedway after topping the 20-lap affair.

Bannister rocketed from eighth position into the lead by lap three. He then accumulated a straightaway advantage while his father Jason drove up to second as well. The large lead was nullified by a caution on lap 17. The lead grew again over the final eight laps of the feature, with Tyler Bannister winning by 2.333 seconds over Jason Bannister. Chris McKellar, Paul Brown, and Tate Loftis rounded out the top-five finishers.

Johnson Controls the Field for Dominant Stock Car Victory

Steven Johnson won the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature after an early race challenge from Wayne Dotson. It is the first time he has visited victory lane in 2025 in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region. Johnson drove to a five-second gap over second place, which was erased when opening night winner Austin Van Hoff of Chowchilla spun. Johnson was on the charge again on the restart, building his lead back to 2.715 seconds at the stripe. Dotson settled for second over Jacob Van Essen in third, Raymond Noland in fourth, and a resurgent Van Hoff in fifth.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Track Vision TV powered by Low Budget TV.  Full replays are available through the IMCA TV Replay Subscription Pass for $24.99/month.

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