[i By Bill Sullivan, Sullivan Images Media]
[b SEBASTOPOL, CA 5-2-10] - Prior to Saturday night, the last time Bradley Terrell visited Placerville Speedway was a night he and his team would like to forget but that too is difficult due to the long hours it took to repair his #43 sprint car after a vicious roll over caused significant damage. Saturday night, Terrell returned to the scene of the crime and managed to leave one Northern California's toughest tracks with a smile on his face this time.
"We are really happy with the way we ran this week at Placerville," said Terrell. "That has been a tough place for us and we finally nailed the set up perfectly for it and had a good night. I went back just setting my sights on finishing the A-feature. Getting a top ten out of it was the icing on the cake."
Terrell returned to the foothill track Saturday night to compete with the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series at the quarter-mile clay oval on the El Dorado County Fairground. The event was the third segment of a campaign that competes at six different tracks for 15 different races during the year. Terrell, barring future sponsorship, hopes to compete in the full series as well as the Petaluma All Pro Series where he finished second in the standings last year.
On Saturday night, Terrell joined the 34 car field and turned a 10:961 second lap in time trials. He ranked 23rd with the final order crossed the scoreboard prior to heat racing action. For Terrell, a transfer from his heat race would be crucial to make the A main line up and avoid a gruelling B main, a race that ended in disaster back in March.
Knowing he could determine his own destiny, Terrell went out for his heat race and did just that. He started on the pole of the 10-lap affair that was packed with area talent. Although he faded back on the start, Terrell maintained a fourth place finish when the green flag waved to transfer straight into the A-feature.
"Qualifying is really important in a Civil War, especially at Placerville," said Terrell. 'We had a fast lap and so did everyone else. I knew I had to do well in my heat race tonight and avoid a B main."
In the 30-lap feature event, Terrell started in the 18th position. Throughout a race that saw numerous caution periods and the leaders duelling ferociously in lapped traffic, Terrell used patience and a strong set up to advance towards the top ten. By the time the checkered flag waved he finished ninth. The top ten finish was a welcome site to the team that will now carry the momentum back to Petaluma this Saturday night.
"We're really happy with the way we performed, " said Terrell. "A top ten finish at this place isn't easy. Now we will head back to Petaluma and maybe we can get our first win of the year there. So far so good, we're still looking for sponsors so we can run both of these seasons."
This Saturday, Terrell returns to Petaluma for the second segment of the All Pro Series at the track he calls home. Two weeks ago Terrell finished fourth in the series opener at Petaluma.
Bradley Terrell is grateful for his continued supporters for the 2010 racing, many of which helped out these past two weeks to get him prepared for the All Pro Series opener. Among his marketing partners are Millhouse Glass, the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, Randy Hanson Auto Body and Paint. Vanlare Steering Repair, A1 Shower and Mirror Incorporated, Knockout Signs, Santa Rosa Moving & Storage, Altes Engineering, and 4 Wheel Parts.
- Bill Sullivan on May 03, 2010
- Article Date: 5/3/2010