IRWINDALE: GRABOWSKI GEARS UP JUST IN TIME.

Byline: Keith Lair Staff Writer

IRWINDALE - Austin Grabowski went from slowest on the Irwindale Speedway half-mile to the fastest Saturday night.

The 16-year-old missed a gear shift at the start of the Automobile Club of Southern California Late Model main event. He was placed last on the race's restart and went on to win the 50-lap race in front of approximately 4,000.

``I was in third gear and it would not go into fourth,'' Grabowski said of the start. ``I tried waving my hand, but it was too late.''

Grabowski was not hit, but four other cars crashed, knocking two out. Grabowski took the lead from Fallbrook's Scott Youngren on Lap 47.

Grabowski squeezed Youngren into the marbles on the 46th lap. Youngren drifted into the Turn 1 wall, brushing it.

``He made a good move,'' Youngren said. ``I just got into the wall and he got by me.''

Joe Ruggles Jr. of Palmdale and Chris Johnson both scored back-to-back victories, Ruggles in Grand-American Modifieds and Johnson in Jasper Engines West Coast Pro Trucks.

Steve Rogers won the Mini Stocks and Steve Stewart finished first in the Pick-Your-Part Figure 8s.

Keith Lair, [phone]

keith.lair(at)sgvn.com