Gomes Goes for Two In-a-Row at Kern County Raceway’s “Winter Showdown”

Bakersfield, CA – With his win in the ”All-Star Showdown 200” in January, Jacob Gomes moved into a tie with MK Kanke for fourth on the All-time wins list for the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series, with 11. On March 25th, Gomes will look to repeat his “Winter Showdown” win from 2022, and vault into a tie with Jeremy Doss for third on that all-time list. He would also become only the second two-time winner of the event, joining Bubba Pollard and Derek Thorn in the Kern County Raceway Park (CA) annuls of history. The win would be worth $10,000, which follows his $25,000 payday at Irwindale Speedway (CA).

Gomes is coming off his second SRL championship in 2022. He scored three victories during the season and just edged Jeremy Doss for the title by two points. He finished 2022 off with a strong run in the Snowball Derby a 5 Flags Speedway (FL), qualifying ninth and finishing eighth. He got his title defense off to a great start by winning at Irwindale and taking home the $25,000 prize. Gomes proceeded to travel cross-country last weekend and scored another eighth-place finish in the inaugural ASA Stars National Tour “Sunshine State 200” at Five Flags Speedway. He is now ready to defend his title in the “Winter Showdown”.

“I can’t wait to get back and give it all we got again”, Gomes exclaimed. “I think we have a great shot at it, and I’m happy to get back racing again.”

The pairing with Campbell Motorsports in 2022, and with Derek Thorn Racing (DTR) in 2023, has proven to be very beneficial to Gomes and the Gomes Motorsports team. Combined, Jacob has seen the realization of his potential behind the wheel, as well as the opportunity to increase his knowledge base, and a chance to travel to new facilities with Thorn.

“Ya, we have been working together for a while, trying to build together between the help of Derek (Thorn), Mike Keen, and my dad”, Gomes stated. “It’s been a great combo, and I can’t wait to have another year with these guys again. It has been a great learning experience and opportunity between them (DTR) with us (Gomes Motorsports) at the track, and also being involved with getting to go with them, and to help them at the track too.”

Gomes improvement in 2022 can be seen in his results at KCRP. Last season he scored the win and two third-place finishes. In his last eight starts he hasn’t finished outside the top-10, with seven in the top-five. Prior to that, Gomes had mixed results at Kern, averaging a 13th-place finish in 18 previous starts. He had multiple strong runs, but frustrating ones as well. But the ½-mile facility is one of his favorite tracks, and one in which he looks forward to visiting.

“It’s a fun track and really racy”, Gomes explained. “It has two good groves and its puts on a good race for the racers and fans. It is always fun coming back to it.”

The “8th Annual Winter Showdown 135” will feature the Zambelli Fireworks Spectacular, Live Music, Camping, Vendors, and the Super Late Models of the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series. The “Tour” will have a break on lap 80 of the 135-lap event. Teams will be allowed to make adjustments, with no tire changes. $10,000 will go to the winner, with $1,200 to start, for those on the Spears Frequent Flyer Program. The Spears Modified Series and the Spears Pro Late Models presented by Sigma Performance Services will also join the action. Admission Gates officially open at 4:00 PM, as Qualifying begins. Opening Ceremonies are set for 5:15 PM, with Racing scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM.

Celebrating its twenty third season in 2023, 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”.