KOFOID SCORES $12,500 PRIZE WITH JASON LEFFLER MEMORIAL VICTORY AT BAKERSIELD SPEEDWAY

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (November 26, 2025) – In a full circle performance the No. 71 in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship competition, Penngrove, Calif.’s Buddy Kofoid prevailed in Tuesday’s Jason Leffler Memorial at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. The $12,500 win mirrored the 1997 national championship for Jason Leffler, when he won the title in a No. 71 owned by Pete Willoughby with crew chief Keith Kunz. Keith Kunz Motorsports led Kofoid to Tuesday’s victory, sweeping past Alabama’s Kevin Thomas, Jr. on lap 13 en route to the victory. Kofoid celebrated the visit to victory lane with Leffler’s son Charlie. The victory was Kofoid’s first in USAC Midget competition since 2023. Photo by Paul Trevino

Teammate Jacob Denney drove past Thomas as well to score second place. Castro Valley, Calif.’s Jake Andreotti led Western-based teams in fourth followed by 14^th-starting Steven Snyder, Jr. driving to a fifth place effort. Kale Drake was the hardest charger, with the Oklahoma pilot finishing seventh from 20^th on the grid. Bakersfield’s Jett Yantis thrilled the hometown fans with a narrow advance out of the B-Main, then a charge from 19^th to ninth in the 30-lap contest.

World of Outlaws Sprint Car standout Carson Macedo of Lemoore paced time trials and established a new USAC National Midget track record at 14.512 seconds on the one-third mile dirt track. 34 teams participated in the penultimate race for the 2025 series.

A hearty crowd of race fans were also treated to 22 California Lightning Sprints participating in their season finale as well. USAC/CRA Sprint Car star A.J. Bender of San Diego won the 20-lap feature for a $500 prize. Aiden Lange of Lakewood finished second in the feature to wrap up the series crown. Drake Cardey finished third in the 20-lap feature followed Brayden Collie and David Taft. Fast-time qualifier Eric Greco flipped in his heat race and was unable to start the feature.

Tuesday’s action concluded the season on the one-third mile dirt track. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway hosts Speedway Motorcycle action on December 6. The 2025 Bakersfield Speedway banquet is set for December 20, following the CARS Tour West season finale at the half-mile pavement speedway adjacent to the dirt track.

For more information on Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, visit www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com or follow the speedway on social media. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd, near Enos Ln and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield.