Utts Survives Hot Seat at Ventura : Auto racing: Camarillo driver shakes off father’s crash to hold off defending track champion.

Not only the engines were hot during the 20-lap street stock feature race Friday night at Ventura Raceway.

Tempers flared during a race that resembled a demolition derby, coming to a head during the post-race technical inspections in the pit area.

Charles Utts of Camarillo won the race after grabbing the lead from Chris Tonali of Santa Barbara coming out of turn two on the fifth lap--two laps after his father’s car was forced into the fence in a collision with Ventura’s Randy McGraw.

Charlie Utts, 57, walked away from the crash, but the car was severely damaged after flying into the fence and flipping back onto the track with flames coming from under the hood.

Charles Utts was hotly pursued for the final six laps by defending track champion Paul Moore of Oak View, a racing rival and the man who Utts thought caused his father’s crash.

Both Uttses exchanged angry words with Moore after the race, but track officials quickly stepped between the drivers before any blows were thrown.

“There’s been a lot of stuff said in the press, and a lot of stuff said around town,” Charles Utts said.

“When you see your dad upside down, it has an effect on you.”

Utts’ victory was the first race for his Oldsmobile Cutlass on dirt after campaigning last year at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield.

“It’s only going to get faster,” Utts said.

Eddie Patterson of Oak View captured the 15-lap mini stock main event after inheriting the lead from Ken Hewitt of Moorpark on the 11th lap when Hewitt’s car got a flat tire.

Don DeAzevedo of Port Hueneme won the 15-lap pony stock main event, and Rick Taylor captured the 15-lap International Motor Contest Assn. modified feature.