Hubert Wins Third in Row at Ventura

Gary Hubert of Camarillo appears to be the new dominating driver in the Mini Stock division at Ventura Raceway, replacing Marty Desbrow of Ventura, who dominated that class for three years before moving to the IMCA Modifieds.

As proof, Hubert won the 15-lap oval main event Friday night for the third time in as many races this season.

Hubert took the lead from Joe Silva of Port Hueneme on Lap 2 but a yellow flag put Silva back in the lead position. On the restart Hubert powered past Silva on the inside of Turn 2, just as he had the previous time, and pulled away.

Gary Swenson of Port Hueneme was second and Silva finished third, the same order as their current season points standings.

Bill Bartels of Culver City recorded a flag-to-flag victory in the Street Stock 15-lap oval main event. Bartels won for the first time this season as Paul Moore of Oxnard, who won the previous two times, finished second.

Ray Marroquin of Santa Maria, the defending IMCA champ at Ventura, won for the first time this season with a victory in the 20-lap main event. Jim Deines of Bakersfield was second and Ryan Cole of Santa Maria took third.

Silva and Tom Stephens of Ventura each won their eight-lap figure-eight main event in the Mini Stock and Street Stock divisions. Both drivers won for the second time this season and lead in the season points standings.

Scott Boucher of Oak View won the eight-lap Pony Stock oval main and figure-eight main events.

Heat-race winners were Leonard Rowe of Oxnard and Cole (IMCA Modifieds); James Weston of Santa Barbara and Bartels (Street Stocks); Bruce Dunson of Santa Barbara and Swenson (Mini Stocks).

Adail Gayhart of Malibu (Street Stock) and Hubert (Mini Stock) each won their first Trophy Dash race of the season.