Curtis Scores Mini Stock Victory at Ventura

Gary Curtis of Camarillo ought to have thanked several slower drivers for helping him win the Mini Stock 20-lap oval main event Friday night at Ventura Raceway.

Curtis battled Ventura’s Marty Desbrow throughout the race. Desbrow took the lead on Lap 8, but Curtis overtook him on Lap 9 when he became stuck behind slower cars. Desbrow took the lead back on Lap 15 but again was caught in slower traffic, allowing Curtis to take the lead on Lap 18 and hold on for the victory.

Desbrow was second by two car lengths with Moorpark’s Rock Ake third.

Two yellow flags on Lap 2 helped Don Keeter of Ventura move up from fifth place to take the lead, and he held off Jim Firsich of Port Hueneme to win the 15-lap Street Stock oval main event.

Terry Swauger of Ojai recorded his first main event victory of the season in the Mini Stock eight-lap figure-eight race.

Mini Stock drivers repeatedly broke the track record during qualifying, with Jeff Drake topping everyone by driving a lap in 16.715 seconds.