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