Five Surgeries Later, Joanides Finished Race at Mesa Marin

Nick Joanides is accustomed to going full circle. As a regular on the racing circuit, the Woodland Hills driver has taken his share of laps around the track.

But few, if any, were sweeter than the ones he took last week at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, where he finished 22nd in the Late Model division season opener.

In his second competitive race since last summer, Joanides returned to the site where he suffered third-degree burns on both hands in July in one of the worst accidents at Mesa Marin.

Following a five-car collision that left Joanides trapped in his burning car, another driver pulled him from the vehicle moments before his car exploded.

Joanides spent a month at the Sherman Oaks Burn Center recovering from his injuries.

He has undergone five surgeries, and at least three more are scheduled.

“When it first happened the doctors didn’t think I’d be able to race,” Joanides said. “Then they said maybe in six months.

“I quadrupled my physical therapy and went from there.”

Compression gloves he wears 24 hours a day are a constant reminder of the accident.

“My hands are a little sore on the back side but fortunately the palms are what you use on the steering wheel,” he said. “But that’s OK. Most importantly I’m behind the wheel and that’s what counts.”

“Basically it wasn’t the comeback I wanted. We ran a backup car that was a last-minute deal we threw together. But it felt good physically and mentally.”

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When Saugus Speedway closed last season, area drivers were forced to find new racing sites.

Based on opening-night results at Mesa Marin Raceway, it appears the Bakersfield half-mile oval is where most drivers have relocated.

Sean Woodside of Saugus took the checkered flag in the competitive Late Model division when Bakersfield’s Kevin Vernon experienced engine trouble late in the 75-lap feature.

Marty Stowell and Rod Johnson, both from Canyon Country, finished fourth and fifth.

The top five spots in the Grand American Modifieds main event went to area drivers, with Thad Friday of Northridge finishing first.

“We are just tickled to death to have drivers from the Los Angeles area come up here,” said Marion Collins, owner and promoter of Mesa Marin.

In the Late Model division, 48 cars entered, an increase of 33% from last year’s opening.

“The more cars you have entered, the better the competition,” Collins said.

“With the number of cars we have entered I think our attendance is going to improve. Plus it’s better for the fans.

“They know they’re going to see some good racing.”

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When NASCAR Southwest Tour racer Bobby Lyon makes his second appearance in two years at the Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles on Sunday, the kids will be giving him a hand--literally--in future races.

The Lyon Racing Team has made arrangements to have children make handprints with paint on the hood of his race car. The handprints will be labeled with the children’s names stenciled next to them.

Lyon will race the decorated car at Mesa Marin on April 13 and Sonoma on May 4.

The Sonoma race will be televised by ESPN, tape-delayed later that night.

“Our idea is that the kids will be able to see their handprints on TV when we race,” Lyon said.

“We are happy to be given the opportunity to bring a little pleasure to these kids.”

Lyon, who holds the record for most starts in Southwest Tour history with 133, is ninth in the Southwest Tour points standings.

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ESPN will televise Wednesday’s USAC Midget race from Ventura Raceway. ESPN also will broadcast the April 24 Midget race from Ventura.

Several top USAC Western States drivers are expected to race Wednesday, including Billy Boat of Phoenix, last year’s Western States champion.

Because of the special midweek race, Ventura Raceway is dark tonight.