LAKEPORT — Kevin Morris, a 20-year-old DMS Race Products BCRA Midget series rookie driver, became the fourth first-time BCRA Midget feature winner in 2007 Saturday night during the annual Deake Lyndall Memorial race at the Lakeport Speedway.
Piloting father Del Morris” No. 17k Beast/Esslinger, Morris overtook Sacramento”s Ralphie Cortez on lap five and held the lead all the way to the end, holding off two-time reigning BCRA champion John Sarale.
Having been relegated to the back of the field for changing a tire before the feature, Sarale swiftly maneuvered his way into the top five, reaching third behind Morris and Cortez by lap 10.
Sarale”s stellar run marked his second straight runner-up finish.
From lap 10 through 17, Cortez, Sarale and Gary Dickenson were battling for the runner-up spot as Morris stretched his lead.
Intensely pursuing Morris to the checkered after the 30-lap main event were Sarale, Dickenson, 16-year-old BCRA points leader Justin Grant and Fresno”s David Prickett.
Rounding out the top 10 was seven-time BCRA champion Floyd Alvis; Cortez, who had a tire go flat on lap 20; Travis Berryhill; BCRA rookie Nick Foster, Jr.; and 2002 BCRA car owner champion Bill Lindsey, who was driving the Jim Fowler No. 61.
Grant claimed heat two over Dickenson, Sarale and Prickett, while Cortez won heat one over Morris, Mike Donaldson, Alvis and Davey Krohn.
Berryhill won the trophy, claiming the win over fast qualifier Dickenson, Sarale and Prickett.
Dickenson had the fast time, clocking in ahead of Sarale, Berryhill and Prickett with a lap of 12.257 seconds, just three-hundredths ahead of Sarale.
The 2007 DMS Race Products BCRA Midgets Series continues this Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway as part of a co-sanctioned race with the USAC-Western States Midgets. Visit www.bcraracing.com for additional information.
