Mitchell second at Stockton, leads CARS Tour West points

Kenna Mitchell of Loomis has found a permanent home on the podium so far on the CARS Tour West circuit. Running the series full time this year, the Del Oro High School graduate hasn't missed the podium yet while climbing to the points lead in the Limited Late Model division. She's also the reigning track champion at All American Speedway in Roseville and swept the twin Late Model main events on opening night. In CARS Tour West, Mitchell sandwiched third- and fourth-place finishes at The Bullring in Las Vegas around a victory at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway on March 14 before her runner-up finish at Stockton 99 Speedway on Saturday night. Jay Juleson of San Jose was the race winner. Mitchell sandwiched third- and fourth-place finishes at The Bullring in Las Vegas around a victory at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway on March 14 before her runner-up finish at Stockton 99. Asked how this year's version of Kenna Mitchell has grown as a driver over last year at this time, she said, "I'm a lot more comfortable now on the track. With passing, I've felt more comfortable this year than I did the last time I was in Stockton. You need to adapt, and I've gotten a lot better at that." Mitchell started ninth in the 100-lap main event and gradually moved up in the field while avoiding numerous spins and crashes. She battled Tracy's Justin Philpott for second place late in the race with Brenden Ruzbarsky of Tracy also joining the chase. After trading nudges, Mitchell passed Philpott and followed Juleson to the checkered flag. Mitchell finished 2.104 seconds behind the winner and 1.821 seconds before third-place Ruzbarsky. Tanner Huddleston was fourth and Philpott fifth.