A new partnership between seasoned no-prep racer Nate Sayler and accomplished car owner Chris Michael has immediately produced positive results. The duo parked the popular Bad Intentions Racing “Gucci” 1969 Chevrolet Nova in the winner’s circle at Speed Promotions Racing’s season-opening The Outlaws 32 invitational main event at Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield, California.

Sayler, in his first event behind the wheel of Michael’s Lee White-tuned, ProCharger-boosted Nova, defeated Scott Taylor and his brand-new “Little Goldie” 1969 Chevrolet Camaro in the final round to earn the $40,000 payday and the series points lead. The event was the series’s first to take place in Michael’s home state of California.

On his run to the title, Sayler defeated Mike Henry in the opening round, and Paige Coughlin and Cole Pesz in rounds two and three, respectively, earning him a competition bye into the finale. Taylor, for his part, had to run through a gauntlet of top drivers, including series juggernaut Ryan Martin, Brandon James, “Disco Dean” Karns, and Jeff Lutz to reach the money round.

The opening round of the Saturday main event was highlighted by a series of major upsets, as reigning champion Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, the series’ all-time-winningest driver Martin, and past champion Kye Kelley all bowed out early. 

The new Friday evening “Beat the Champs” format was marred by a terrifying crash by series standout Kayla Morton in the semifinals of the eight-car contest. Her fiery incident brought the racing to an early end for the night, as Kelley advanced to the final round and Taylor and Pesz were still set to run their semifinal matchup when the action was called. The remainder of the program, set to be run on Saturday, was ultimately uncontested. Morton was uninjured in the crash, but her new-look “Hot Mess Express” Mustang incurred significant damage in the high-speed finish line accident.

The Speed Promotions Racing series will return to action later this month at Virginia Motorsports Park for the second of seven planned championship points-paying events.