Raschke Steers Broken Car to Win in Ventura Feature

Although his car was falling apart, Mike Raschke of Ventura was able to keep his driving skills together long enough to win the 20-lap mini-stock main event at Ventura Raceway on Friday night.

Gary Hubert of Camarillo held the lead for the first seven laps before a flat right-rear tire sent him to the pits. Raschke took over the lead and held on the rest of the way with a right-front quarter panel flapping loosely in the wind.

The loose metal caught the attention of chief steward Bob Ford while the field was driving under a yellow caution flag. But Ford decided Raschke’s Pinto was sound enough to continue and Raschke proved him right by winning his first feature of the season.

Current mini-stock points leader Jeff Drake of Fillmore finished second. Tim Gill of Camarillo was third and Kevin Parker was fourth.

Ventura’s Tom Stephens blew a right-rear tire on Lap 17 of the Street Stock 20-lap main event, costing him the lead and the race. Paul Moore of Oxnard won over Mark Heurung of Ventura.