Harper Survives to Win Saugus Main Event

In a race decided more by attrition than by speed, Will Harper of Tarzana won the 40-lap Sportsman main event before a crowd of 4,078 at Saugus Speedway on Saturday.

The race was abbreviated to 38 laps because of several accidents, which left the track covered in spilled oil and coolant. Eight yellow flags and a red flag were waved, reducing the 24-car field to 18 by Lap 19, and by 16 by the conclusion of the race.

In the 25-lap Street Stock main event, Ken Maler of Castaic withstood another swarm of yellow flags midway through the race and held off a tailgating Russ Beckers of Sepulveda to claim a wire-to-wire win.

Maler and Beckers locked bumpers repeatedly. But Beckers, who entered the race leading the overall points standings and started in the No. 3 position, was unable to overhaul Maler.

On Lap 14, Sue Pittinato of Canyon Country spun out on Turn 2 and was broadsided by Lee Ladd of Thousand Oaks for the third yellow flag in four laps.

Both cars were forced to the pits. Ladd was able to drive away, but the race was delayed for more than 10 minutes while Pittinato’s car was towed and the track was washed off.

Rudy Sandoval and Garrett Yamada battled early in the 10-lap Mini Stock main event, but Sandoval took the lead on Lap 5 and went on to a five-length victory.

In the 15-lap Sportsman semi-main event, John Higgens started on the pole and never trailed, winning by half a straightaway over Bill McLean of Canoga Park.

Tim Staubs of Littlerock also led from start to finish in the 15-lap Street Stock semi-main.

Eight-lap heat-race winners included Tom Austin of Burbank (Sportsman), Jim Marlewski of Simi Valley (Street Stock oval), Joe Barreras of Canyon Country (Street Stock figure-eight) and Sandoval (Mini Stock).