Kole Raz Looks to Continue His Momentum at Kern County Raceway’s Wild West Shootout

For Immediate Release: SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series Media

Kole Raz and his Sigma Performance Services Team have shown flashes of brilliance in 2021, sitting fourth in the championship standings for the Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series. The Kulwicki Driver Development Program participant has scored two top-five finishes, as the first half of the 10-race season is in the books. His best finish was a third at Irwindale Speedway, and on the 26th, he will head to the series other ½-mile oval in Bakersfield, CA for Round #2 of the “JM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. Wild West Shootout”, looking for a $10,000 victory.

Kern County Raceway is the site for Round #6 of the season for the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series, but for Raz, it was the location of his worst finish of the season. His 17th place effort, in the 27-car “Winter Showdown” field, was a disappointment for the team, which struggled to find speed. It was part of an up and down season for the Rookie-of-the-Year Contender, but a season he feels assured in, heading back to the series tracks for the second time.

“The rookie season thus far has given me a quick taste of the highs and lows”, Raz admitted. “I believe not only the #21 (Raz), but the #25 (Brandon Farrington) have made strides towards the right directions. I’ve been going to a lot of new tracks this season and really feel confident for this second half of the season.”

Raz has worked very closely with his SPS Teammate Brandon Farrington in 2021. They have been together for multiple seasons, racing together at Tucson Speedway for TMI – Tucson Motorsports Inc. and sharing championships at the 3/8-mile facility. Farrington has even joined Raz in his Northwest Super Late Model efforts as his occasional spotter. The pair are both rookies in the SRL in 2021 and are invaluable to each other in their efforts, after coming from the short track in Tucson.

“I got another brother behind me with Brandon”, Raz explained. “We have been able to share some special moments on the track over the years. I know we got each other’s backs on and off the track. It has been neat to share this new experience with him this season.”

The 2021 season will find Raz flying the Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP) insignias, as one of seven finalists in this year’s program. A program win for Raz would be worth 7 x $7,777 ($54,439) and expanded national exposure for his racing career. 2018 SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series Champion Jeremy Doss is the most recent champion in this program (2020 was not held due to Covid-19) and is a testament to its prestige, as well as its pension for building character. Raz has had a great experience thus far, and now that he has graduated high school, he is ready to step up his involvement with the tenants of the program.

“My experience with KDDP has been second to none”, Raz stated. “I’ve been able to build great relationships with the other finalists and learn from what they do, to also improve myself on and off the track. I’m excited now being done with high school, to take a huge leap in helping my community.”

Raz is coming off a top-five finish at ALL AMERICAN SPEEDWAY – ROSEVILLE CA, in his last SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series start. He finished third in Saturday’s Northwest Super Late Model Series event at South Sound Speedway (WA) and is starting to gather momentum, as the season enters the Summer months. His return to Kern, for the second time, will be a litmus test for the team, as both Farrington and Raz struggled back in March. The SPS team delved into the question of their prior Kern performance and Raz feels they have found the problems and are ready for a strong effort from both teams.

“Kern was definitely one to put behind us, however, we know what went wrong come race time and look to go have a strong run this go around.”, Raz declared. “I know Brandon is fond of Kern, and I’d look to see SPS build off our top-fives at All American.”

To have the success Raz has experienced, it takes a team effort and support from those around him. He is grateful for his opportunities and the support he receives.

“As always, a big thank you to the ones who make it possible; Brad Corneliusen and Joan Corneliusen, Sigma Performance Solutions (SPS), Joe, Jimmy Parker Sr, Chris Pulliam, Patrick Hillyer, Wells Johnson Company, and The Master Wrench.”

The June 26th $10,000-to-win “JM Environmental Inc. Wild West Shootout – Round #2” is sure to be a large part of the biggest single day race event of the year at Kern County Raceway. The special event will feature the to-the-back challenge, where any driver who qualifies into the top eight will be given the option to start in the back, for an extra $10,000-to-win. This option could pay the winner a whopping $20,000!  LiUNA Local 220 will also present the biggest fireworks show in Kern County. The full night of racing on the big ½ mile with also feature the SPEARS SRL Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services, who will race for $7,600 to win and the Spears Modified Series Series. The BMR Drivers Academy, and local Super Stocks are also on Saturday’s schedule for a huge evening of excitement.

For those unable to attend, catch all the action LIVE at www.SpearsRacing.TV. The event will also air on MAVTV at a time and date to be announced later.

Celebrating its twenty-first season in 2021, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.