Thirkettle Gets Second Win in a Row

Pole-sitter Travis Thirkettle led wire to wire Saturday night to win his second late model race in a row at Irwindale Speedway.

Tim Huddleston, the division’s 2005 champion, finished second for the second consecutive week in the 40-lap race on the half-mile track.

Thirkettle posted the fastest qualifying time for the second consecutive week, and won the eight-lap heat race that determines the starting grid.

“He has got the ‘A’ package right now -- his expertise behind the wheel, his car is just incredible and his dad setting it up,” Huddleston said. “It takes everything, and he’s got all the packages.”

Thirkettle’s father, Jim, was a longtime driver who serves as his crew chief and spotter.

“We communicate and we make the necessary changes,” said the younger Thirkettle, a Newhall resident who received $1,000 for the victory. “You have to stay one step ahead.”

Pole-sitter Billy Ziemann of Bloomington won the figure 8 race, with Rusty Stewart second. Jesse James, host of the Discovery Channel series “Monster Garage” and husband of actress Sandra Bullock, finished third.

Tom Landreth of Alta Loma won the 30-lap legend cars race and Mark Whitson of Riverside won the 20-lap pure stocks race, both on the one-third-mile track.

-- Steven Herbert