IMCA Modifieds West Coast Nat'l Results
6 June 1999
Kevin Nichols rebounds from heat crash to win first annual West Coast Nationals
By Gary Jacob and Don Low
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (May 30) - Forced to make major repairs to his car following a
heat race crash, Bakersfield's Kevin Nichols rebounded to win the first annual West Coast
Nationals for I.M.C.A. Sunoco Modifieds. Nichols drew the pole for the 40-lap main, and led
every lap to earn the richest prize of his racing career as he pocketed $2,000 for the victory,
at the Bakersfield Speedway.
Running in the extreme outside groove, Nichols had to fend off serious challenges from
regional title contender Jason Pike for the win. Pike, the 1998 track champion, was a $1,500 second and
Ventura's Rich Wolfe collected $1,000 for third. Nichols' engine was claimed by Watsonville visitor
Fred Lind. The Nichols team definitely puts the social aspect of the sport on its priority
list and Kevin was quick to thank late model teammate John Lowery for his work in organizing
the post-race barbecue that carried on into the wee hours Monday morning.
The 33 cars entered included teams from Arizona, Nevada and both northern and southern
California. The top three from each of four heats advanced to draw for the front 12
positions in the 40-lap "A" main. The inside row got the jump at the start of the
feature and Nichols was able to pull into the faster outside groove ahead of the field. A stalled
car on the opening lap resulted in a restart, but the race went to lap 23 before the yellow
came out again. Pike successfully worked the bottom groove to take
second from Wolfe on lap 26. Several times, he was able to pull alongside Nichols but could
not finish off the pass. A final caution on lap 38 gave Pike a last shot, but
Nichols remained loyal to the faster groove and won.
Wolfe, Pike, Jimmy Reeves of Laton and Gary Curtis of
Camarillo won heat races. Alan Updyke of Tustin took the "B" feature.
Nichols and Scott Pounds of Bakersfield were dueling for the final transfer spot out of the
fourth heat when they tangled and got into the wall. Nichols was able to bounce along the
wall, across the finish line for third. Nichols had scored his first feature win of 1999 the
previous weekend and his big victory boosted him into the track point lead.
The West Coast Nationals was sponsored by Dirt Racers Supply and Tilton Engineering.
Feature Results -
1. Kevin Nichols, Bakersfield;
2. Jason Pike, Pahrump, Nev.;
3. Rich Wolfe, Studio City;
4. Wayne Coffman, Lamont;
5. Randy McGraw, Oakview;
6. Fred Lind, Aromas;
7. Scott Bartels;
8. Darrell Zweifel, Bullhead City, Ariz.;
9. Jim Perkins, Fort Mohave, Ariz.;
10. Gary Curtis, Camarillo; 11.
Mike Berger, Las Vegas, Nev.;
12. Eric Center, Mesa, Ariz.;
13. Steve Smothermon, Porterville;
14. Jimmy Reeves, Laton;
15. Steve Greenland, Reseda;
16. Brian Cass;
17. Jack Parker;
18. Jeff Miller, Bakersfield;
19. Alan Updyke, Tustin;
20. Scott Busby, Martinez;
21. Chuck Harrell;
22. Al Adam, Westlake Village.