Mitchell runs Late Model win streak to 8

A hot night and the closest competition of the season yielded a familiar winner, as Kenna Mitchell of Loomis prevailed in both 40-lap features for the NASCAR Late Model class Saturday night at Roseville's All American Speedway. Mitchell's victories headlined the Edge of Summer event, which also saw Trey Daniels claim the top honor in the INEX NorCal Legend Series feature. The pace was established early when Madera's Joey Kennealy, the 2025 division runner-up, edged Mitchell in time trials. That placed Kennealy on the pole for the first 40-lap contest with Mitchell alongside him on the front row. Kennealy led the opening 14 circuits, but a restart gave Mitchell an opportunity, and she drove around the outside of Kennealy to seize the lead. Kennealy stayed within a car-length throughout the final 26 laps, but Mitchell held on for her seventh victory of the season. The second 40-lap feature was inverted and rewarded fans with the most exciting race of the year. Hayden Stepps, 16, of Oakdale led a tight pack that included Kennealy, Mitchell and Donald Witkowski of Long Beach as the group battled for the top spot. Mitchell moved into second past Kennealy on lap 24 and immediately pressured Stepps. With 10 laps remaining, Mitchell dived to the inside in turn 2. Stepps defended the position and the two made contact, briefly lifting Mitchell's No. 7 machine off the ground before both drivers gathered their cars and continued. Three laps later, Mitchell again went underneath Stepps in turn 2 and completed the decisive pass. Mitchell earned her eighth consecutive Late Model feature victory. Witkowski passed Kennealy for third, with Lincoln's Kylie Glick rounding out the top five. "Lot of battling there for that one. It was fun," Mitchell said. "Had to use the nose a little bit. Just wanted to make sure the car in front of me kept her straight and didn't want her to wreck. She turned down more than I expected so I got off the gas and made sure we all got straight again." Daniels captured the 35-lap INEX NorCal Legend Series feature, which counted toward All American Speedway and NorCal Tour points. The Fort Bragg driver worked his way through a battle with 2025 NorCal champion Brandon White of Eureka, ARCA and Trans Am veteran Tanner Reif and Friday winner Kai Lovell before setting his sights on 2025 Roseville champion Robby Czub. Daniels took the lead on lap 18 and held on through a late caution period. Reif finished second, followed by Lovell, Czub and White. The largest NASCAR Modified field of the season produced a first-time Roseville winner, as Orangevale's Calvin Hegje captured the 30-lap feature. Defending champion Tyler Wentworth of Rocklin suffered a mechanical issue at the start and could not continue. Hegje withstood pressure from Loomis drivers Josh Blackwood and Nick Lyons to secure the victory. Jarred Hess finished fourth in his return to Roseville, while Woodland's Timm Williams completed the top five. A memorable week ended with a victory for 2025 NASCAR Street Stock champion Tim Walters, who welcomed a baby boy before topping the division's largest turnout of the season. He held off teammate Rich Lavallee. Orville Owens impressed in his first start of the season with a third-place run, followed by Cody Rickard and Ukiah's Stephen Ghilarducci. Vic Theberge of Citrus Heights extended his points lead with a victory in the NASCAR Mini Stock feature. Lincoln's Brandon Frantz finished second, followed by Elverta's Ray Molina, Richard Rowland and Stephanie Ziebell. All American Speedway returns July 25 for the NASCAR Midsummer Classic. All five championship divisions will be joined by the NCMA Sprint Cars. Tickets and information are available at www.allamericanspeedway.com.