A westward trip brought the first of two Mission Foods/Cory Texter Promotions Showcase events to California in 2026. Ventura Raceway welcomed flat track riders to a bash at the beach, where several Californians put on golden nights in the Golden State.
Story by Scotty Taylor | Photos by Fast Glass Media / Wendy Edwards
Ryder Bitz-Hay of Rohnert Park, California, was brilliant aboard his KTM, scoring victories in all three main events he contested. Bitz-Hay’s consistent starts and ability to navigate a slippery racing line on the California quarter mile propelled him to triumphs in 450 Amateur, Open Amateur, and a second Road to AFT main event victory of the season. Jett Katarzy and Braxton Ragan were the closest challengers to Bitz-Hay on the night. Katarzy came home with runner-up honors in the three races. Ragan led Bitz-Hay early in Open Amateur action and bested him in the night’s Mission Challenge Dash for Cash.
It wasn’t just the home-state riders feeling the California love. Pennsylvanian Cruise Texter continued his dominance on the Mission Foods Showcase scene. Texter earned main-event wins in 50cc Chain, 65cc, and Mini Open competition. He also added a win in the G&G Racing 65cc Dash to his resume that night.
Florida’s Robby “Bobby” McLendon outdueled Scooter Vernon en route to wins in the 30+ and 40+ features.
Replicating the feats of Bitz-Hay and Texter, Bryan Berna scored a trifecta of triumphs, tackling the Vintage, Framer Shootout and 50+ classes on the night. Berna’s night was nearly upended by a bad start in the Framer Shootout main, where the opening lap saw him back in fifth. The Lemoore, California, rider moved forward, taking advantage of any opening that presented itself, and found himself back in front just before halfway. Continuing with Vet class and Vintage honors, Jeff Lassley narrowly edged Mike Hale in the 60+ main. Hale put in a late charge but came up 0.241 of a second short of Lassley. Jonathan Schaefer led wire-to-wire, besting the Running of the Bulls class.
A pair of Jacksons proved to be a winning hand in Ventura. Jackson Joiner of Bakersfield, California, took home victories in the Youth Premier and 85cc features, staving off fierce attacks by Carson Lyons and Brody Davis on the night. Lyons was able to get the better of Joiner in the G&G Racing 85cc Dash earlier in the evening. Jackson Brown was cruising on the coast, leading every lap to take home wins in the 250 Amateur and Open Novice mains.
Additional winners on the night included Paige Keck (Women’s), Hunter Hansen (50cc Air-Cooled) and Shawn Raggio (Hooligan).CN
2026 CTR Showcase Event at Ventura Results
Road2AFT (Top 5)
- Ryder Bitz-Hay (KTM)
- Same Drane (Yam)
- Dillon Durelle (Yam)
- Wyland Seger (Hon)
- Jed Fyffe (Yam)
