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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2024) – Troy Morris III had the right prescription for winning the race dedicated to the memory of The Race Doctor.
Morris led 46 of 50 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified circuits Saturday at hometown Bakersfield Speedway, topping the Mike Moshier Classic ahead of Gavyn Manning.
The win, Morris’ 10th this season and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying sixth, paid $1,200.
Moshier, aka The Race Doctor, was the long-time announcer at Bakersfield and died in 2015 at the age of 69.
“This win was special,” said Morris. “I grew up listening to him (Moshier) announce at the track. He called my first win and interviewed me when I was six and racing a mini dwarf.”
Morris got to the front early from his inside row three start and built a seven second advantage before the scheduled stoppage at lap 25.
Tyler Blankenship found his way to the lead following the restart with Manning challenging in third; issues at the front, however, saw Blankenship drive off to the work area and Morris restart at the point.
The final caution waved with two to go. Morris beat Manning to the checkers by 1.7 seconds, as Rob Sanders, Brad Pounds and Blankenship completed the top five.
The Moshier checkers were the first of the season at Bakersfield for the much-traveled Morris, who brought wins at six other tracks in Arizona, California and Oregon into the night.
He’ll be eastbound shortly, breaking bread with Jeff Aikey and family in Cedar Falls, Iowa, then racing at the Showdown at MoTown at Marshalltown and the Prelude at Boone before the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
Tyler Bannister was the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod winner, ahead of father and hard charger Jason, who had started ninth.
Dylan Wilson, Ricky Childress Jr. and Chris McKellar ran 3-4-5.
The Mike Moshier Classic was broadcast by IMCA.TV affiliate Bakersfield Speedway TV.
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