Loomis' Mitchell sweeps twin Late Model main events on opening night in Roseville

Taking on drivers from all over California, defending NASCAR Late Model champion Kenna Mitchell of Loomis swept the twin 40-lap features on opening night of the 72nd NASCAR season at All American Speedway in Roseville. "I couldn't ask for a better opening night," said Mitchell, who also topped qualifying. "It was a good race. I had some fun battling with Thomas Martin and Monty Tipton. We had a solid car, and I feel pretty good about it." Mitchell started on the pole for the first 40-lap feature and jumped ahead. Kylie Glick, the 2024 Jr. Late Model champion, spun on lap 38, erasing a nearly three-second advantage for Mitchell over the pack and setting up a green-white-checkered duel for the victory. Mitchell outfoxed Auburn's Martin over the final two laps with Martin settling for a strong second-place finish. Joey Kennealy of Madera, Monty Tipton of Mill Valley and Colton Nelson of Auburn rounded out the top five. An eight-car invert placed Glick and Atwater's Jason Aguirre in the front row for the second 40-lap affair. The duo jockeyed for the lead before colliding into turn one, sending Glick spinning. Oakdale's Hayden Stepps and Tipton made hard contact into turn three as well, with all four drivers relegated to the rear of the field. Nelson inherited the lead on lap three with Kennealy and eighth-starting Mitchell in hot pursuit. Kennealy nabbed the top stop on lap four with Nelson shuffled back to fourth on the outside line. Mitchell took the lead from Kennealy on lap 15 and brought along Martin into second. Mitchell paced the rest of the way for a convincing 1.3-second victory over Martin. Nelson topped Kennealy in a battle for third with Stepps finishing fifth. Defending NASCAR Mini Stock champion John Sproule won the 30-lap season opener in an exciting battle with 2024 Stockton 99 Speedway champion Josh Cross of Manteca. Plenty of side-by-side action ensued behind Ray Molina before 10th-starting Sproule navigated to the front. Sproule took over the top spot from Molina on lap 12. Cross then drove into second and began to challenge Sproule. Cross made a few attempts at the lead before a caution flag on lap 24. Cross continued to challenge Sproule over the final six circuits to no avail. Vic Theberge, Molina and Brandon Frantz rounded out the top five. NASCAR Modified defending champion Tyler Wentworth of Rocklin had a steady season opener, winning the 30-lap feature. Jose Hernandez of Rio Linda held off Wentworth until the ninth lap. Hernandez then squared off with former Street Stock champion Andrew Peeler in a spirited fight for second. Peeler spun coming to the finish and tagged the front stretch wall but was uninjured. Wentworth, Hernandez and Peeler were scored as the top three finishers. Another battle of champions developed in the NASCAR Street Stock class with Josh Whitfield winning the 30-lap main event. Whitfield raced door handle to door handle with multi-time champion Richard Lavallee. Whitfield used the high side to grab the lead on lap 11. Darren Prociw of Folsom spun on lap 25 for a late race caution. 2025 champion Tim Walters battled his friend and teammate Lavallee for the second position. Whitfield saw the checkered flag first while Lavallee topped Walters by a nose at the stripe for second. Cody Rickard won a tight battle for fourth over Barret Sugden. All American Speedway hosts the A-All Mini Storage Monster Truck Bash on April 18, followed by NASCAR Armed Forces Night on May 9. Tickets and info at www.allamericanspeedway.com.