Team continues Golden State Challenge campaign this Saturday night in round 4 at Petaluma
[i By Bill Sullivan, Racing for the Troops]
[b WEST SACRAMENTO, CA] – If it's one thing that upsets Bobby McMahan in the sport of auto racing it is the three letters "DNF" following his name in the racing results. Prior to Saturday night at the Tulare Thunderbowl, McMahan only had one DNF to his name over the last two seasons of competing in the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team. After a brush with the wall at the fast Tulare 1/3 mile, McMahan added his second digit to that undesirable statistic and hopes it will be the last for some time.
"There is one thing that really upsets me and that is the infamous "DNF" in any event," said McMahan. "But in this case there is nobody to blame but myself. I pushed it a little too hard early in the race and took myself out of the race."
In qualifying on Saturday night McMahan's #26b World Environmental Energy-C&H Veteran Disabled Services sprint car looked to be continuing its momentum in the 2010 Golden State Challenge King of California Series when he clocked the second fastest time of the night behind point leader Jonathan Allard with a 13:427 second lap on the lightning fast clay oval that was packed hard as early as qualifying.
"The car was feeling pretty good in the early running," said McMahan. "I really thought we were going to have a pretty good night after qualifying well and finishing in the heat race."
In the third 10-lap heat race of the night McMahan started fourth on the outside of the second row behind Bud Kaeding, Andy Gregg and Tommy Tarlton. When the checkered flag he had finished third after overtaking Gregg and holding off fellow Elk Grove resident Kyle Larson to the line.
In the feature event, the inversion placed McMahan in a superb starting position. He lined up on the inside of row two behind Bud Kaeding and Tartlon with Larson on the outside and Allard directly behind him. In the first three laps of the race McMahan and Allard began a dogfight for the fourth position. In an effort to gain the advantage McMahan when to the high side of the turn near the cushion where he brushed the outside wall.
"I just pushed it too hard trying to race with Allard," added McMahan. "I flat screwed up it all. It damaged the W link and broke a shock and that’s no place to be racing around with a damaged car."
McMahan brought his car to a stop and went to the work area with three laps complete. When Keith Espindola and the Steve Harris Racing crew surveyed the damage they decided to withdraw from the event. They simply would not be competitive and the car just wasn't safe.
McMahan's teammate Kyle Harris was originally scheduled to compete in Tulare but decided late Friday night to stay out of the driver's seat as he was feeling under the weather. Brian Sperry, crew chief for Harris, made a cameo appearance on the track however. Upon arrival to the Thurderbowl Sperry decided he would strap into the Racing for the Troops #51 for the night.
"Brian figured out that there were 21 cars there and they put 22 cars in the main event so he got back in the firesuit for the night," said McMahan. "He had fun and made a little bit of money too. In fact, he finished better then me this time."
Sperry turned a lap time of 15:845 seconds. He finished the night 16th overall. McMahan was officially scored in the 20th position. This week the team will make repairs and head to Petaluma Speedway for the fourth round of the Golden State Challenge Series. McMahan is now sixth in the standings, 28-points behind the leader. It is unknown at this time if Harris will return to competition this week with McMahan.
Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.
The Racing for the Troops team is proud to honor military veterans and active duty service members. They carry the legacy started by the late Steve Harris by educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. The team invites all of the race fans to their pit area following the races where both McMahan and Harris are available for autographs and photos. Both drivers have brand new t-shirts for sale and each event where they compete. They look forward to meeting fans of all ages.
You can learn more about the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team including its history and its mission by visiting their website at www.racingforthetroops.com.
- Bill Sullivan on Apr 14, 2010
- Article Date: 4/14/2010