Jeffrey Peterson leads flag to flag at Kern for third CARS Tour West Limited Late Model win of season

Jeffrey Peterson started from pole position and led flag to flag to win the Military Appreciation Night Mission Bank 75 for his third CARS Tour West Limited Late Model victory of the season Saturday evening at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

The Grand Torrance native paced the field throughout the 75 lap feature, overcoming late brake issues to secure his first career Limited Late Model victory at Kern by over two seconds. The victory was Peterson’s third of the season, with his previous two wins coming earlier this year at The Bullring in Las Vegas during the season opener in February and again in March.

“We’ve had a few slip away from us here,” Peterson said. “About 10 laps into the run, I started to get a really bad vibration through the brake pedal. I tried to cruise and stay off the brake as much as I could.”

Peterson set fast time in qualifying earlier in the day and led the field of 15 to the green flag for the fifth race of the season.

As Peterson jumped out to the early lead, second and third in points Skyler Schoppe and Tanner Huddleston battled side by side for the runner-up position.

The pair raced wheel to wheel through the opening 20 laps with both drivers getting loose off corner exit before Schoppe eventually cleared Huddleston for second.

Limited Late Model points leader Kenna Mitchell started eighth and quickly began working her way through the field. Mitchell entered the weekend with four consecutive Top 4 finishes, including her first career series win earlier this season in Bakersfield.

On Lap 34, Mitchell caught Huddleston battling for fourth position. Exiting Turn 2, the pair made contact after Huddleston drifted slightly down the racetrack while Mitchell made contact with his left rear quarter panel. The contact sent the Agoura Hills driver spinning into the inside wall, ending his evening in 14th.

The lone caution in the 75 lap feature came for the aforementioned Huddleston incident.

When racing resumed, Peterson once again stretched his advantage over the field.

With 20 laps remaining, Schoppe slowed on track with a left front flat tire before bringing his machine to the work area under green, ending any hopes of a podium finish.

As the laps wound down, Peterson continued managing worsening brake issues by coasting deep into the corners, but still crossed the line with a commanding advantage.

Finishing second was Christian Bazen, capping off his 21st birthday with his best finish in the series to date driving for the same team as Peterson under crew chief Linny White.

“This thing was an absolute monster this entire race,” Bazen said. “I gotta give credit to Linny White. He gave me a rocket ship.”

Mitchell completed the podium in third, earning her fourth consecutive Top 3 finish and continuing her strong start to the season.

“It was fun in that race,” Mitchell said. “It was fun getting past all those cars. A lot of green flag laps made it hard to get up there and challenge for the win, but it was still a good result.”

“I want to thank all active military in the grandstands, my crew chiefs Corey and George, my crew for giving me this car this weekend, my parents for supporting me and everyone who makes this show possible.”

Scott Youngren and Brendan Ruzbarsky rounded out the Top 5.

CARS Tour West Limited Late Models- Military Appreciation Night Mission Bank 75
Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway
May 16, 2026

1. Jeffrey Peterson
2. Christian Bazen
3. Kenna Mitchell
4. Scott Youngren
5. Brendan Ruzbarsky
6. Ryan Pannone
7. Nash Youngren
8. Chris Monez
9. Donald Witkowski
10. Byron Borneman
11. Patrick Dennison
12. Skyler Schoppe
13. Brian Pannone
14. Tanner Huddleston
15. Michael Nicks