DEMING — In the final tune-up race before next week’s Clay Cup, Jason Bloodgood looks ready to go. For that matter, so do many of his opponents.

Bloodgood and Derek Holmwood pitched an entertaining battle for nearly all of Friday’s 1200 A Main at Deming Speedway, with Bloodgood earning the narrow win at the track’s mid-season championships.

Bloodgood, of Burlington, held a narrow lead for much of the race. But Holmwood refused to go away quietly, and attempted numer-ous maneuvers during several laps during the final third of the race; attempting to pass on the high or low side, usually while going into a turn.

After the two drivers exchanged congratulations after the race, Bloodgood said he and Holmwood have had such fights before.

“Here especially,” said Bloodgood, who added that Deming provides a challenging atmosphere. “We’ve raced well, and we’ve strug-gled. With the guys who are out here, and the competition out here, you can’t even be off a little bit. You’re going to give up time, and you’re going to get behind.”

Jake Benson of Maple Falls won the A Main races in the 600 and 250 classes, Chad Sinner took first in the 600 R and Skyler Pawlowicz won the Junior Sprints Main.

Nearly each race had one or two minor delays, but the outcome of the 600 may have been altered by a 3-car pileup on Lap 23 that in-cluded JR Thomas, who held the lead at the time. Thomas’ car had to be towed to the pits and didn’t return; Thomas finished in 14th place, seven laps behind Benson.

The track’s Clay Cup will be held Thursday through Saturday; qualifying races are Thursday and Friday as drivers look to accumulate points for Saturday’s main events.

Craig Parrish can be reached at craig.parrish@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2279.