Brent Sexton Wins Barona Scls Main – Racing Uscs Sprints at Ventura This Saturday - Speedway Digest

Three-time lightning sprint car racing champion Brent Sexton posted his first victory of 2024 when he outdistanced the field in the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series main event last Saturday at the Barona Speedway. This Saturday night, June 1st, the veteran driver and his son, Grant, will be back in action in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series presented by Inland Rigging at the Ventura Raceway.

444480337_1022393829888790_3418807816680679370_n.jpgBrent Sexton after his Barona win. SCLS photo.

Sexton, 52, was making his 13th start of the 2024 season. Switching back and fourth between his 360 sprint car and his lightning sprint, it was his fifth start in the smaller car this year. Once his home track, Saturday was his first appearance at Barona since he placed second in a POWRi Southwest race last July 8th. It was only his second time racing at the track since 2022.

Making the short drive from his home in nearby Lakeside, Sexton was driving his familiar #44 on the San Diego County quarter-mile oval. It was one of only two races on the SCLS schedule in 2024 that cars would race without wings. That was no bother for Sexton who has raced wingless numerous times in lightning sprints over the years and now does in full-size sprint cars in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Series and USCS competition.

Starting fourth in his eight-lap heat race, Sexton cut to the inside in the first bend on lap one and hijacked second place. On a track that was dry at that time of the evening, he stayed there for the duration.

The second place run in his heat earned the likable Tennessee native the inside row two starting spot for the main. With the sun gone, the track was much racier than it was for the heats and much racier than it was for the first race of the year a couple of weeks earlier. That set up an exciting battle for the drivers and fans.

Eager to perform, Sexton put on a show in the main event. He got a great start when the green flag began the race and was second going into turn one. He tried to knife his way into the lead in turn two, but that attempt was thwarted. What happened next was some of the best laps of lightning sprint car racing Barona fans have seen in years. Sexton and early leader Peter Benker put on a slider fest that saw the lead change hands five times from turn two on the second go-around until turn two on lap three.

When Sexton took the lead on lap three, he led the remainder of the way. However, it was anything but easy. Benker fought him hard for several laps. Even though Sexton increased his advantage, Benker stayed within striking distance the entire way. One slip-up by Sexton could have cost him the race. Fortunately, he drove a near-perfect race for his initial win in 2024.

This Saturday at Ventura, Sexton will be in a brand-new Triple X car. The last time he raced at Bakersfield was two weeks ago when he placed sixth in the California Lightning Sprint Car Series main event. On the same night, Grant, who was last season’s USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, placed fifth in the USCS feature. Grant will enter this week’s race 15th in the USCS championship standings.

Spectator gates for the first USCS race at Ventura will open at 3:00 p.m., with racing at 5:30. Adult tickets are $22.00. Seniors 60 and over, military with ID, and students with an ID get in for $18.00. Children 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by an adult. The track is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/, and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE.

Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt.

If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:[email protected] or mailto:[email protected].

SGR PR