[i By Bill Sullivan, Racing for the Troops]
[b WEST SACRAMENTO, CA –] After taking a couple of weeks off, the Racing for the Troops sprint car team returned to the likes of the Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series this past weekend in the California North Bay. The team fielded three different drivers in two cars at three events over the Memorial Day holiday and ended the weekend with success in the way of another top ten finish in the series.
On Friday night, the team trekked to the competitive 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway on the Sonoma Marin Country fairgrounds for the 10th segment of the 25 event Golden State Challenge Series schedule. Bobby McMahan was in competition in the Racing for the Troops #26b while Sean Becker returned to the seat of the #51 sprint car.
For McMahan, the night was a complete contrast from the week before when he dominated the action for his first season win at Petaluma aboard a 360 powered machine. On this particular night the team struggled mastering the set up on the unpredictable track surface.
In qualifying, McMahan clocked the 14th position with a 13:230. He drove from 7th to 5th in his heat race and by missing the dash placed himself deep in the field for the 25-lap feature event. In the feature race McMahan fought an ill handeling car and drove from the 14th starting spot to 13th when the checkered flag flew.
"It was the complete opposite of last week," said McMahan. "Everything went our way in the 360 but it's apples to oranges when it comes to set up and weight so you can't really compare the two cars. This just wasn't a great night for us here."
For Becker, qualifying produced a third place position on the roster with a 12:519. He drove to the place in the dash and finished 5th in the feature event that saw very little in the way of passing throughout the field.
On Saturday, the team traveling over the mountain into the scenic Napa Valley to compete on California's largest track, the half mile Calistoga Speedway on the Napa County Fairgrounds. McMahan returned in the 26b car while Brian Sperry got behind the wheel of the #51 for the two night event.
Saturday night McMahan qualified 3rd with a 17:210 an d finished third in his heat race. The night came to an early end, however, when the #26b suffered a rear end failure at the waving of the green flag for the 25-lap feature event.
Sperry qualified 18th on Saturday night with a 19:233. He finished 6th in his heat race and claimed the 15th position in the feature event.
On Sunday night, McMahan returned to the track a earned the 10th qualifying position with a 18:221 on the half mile. He finished fourth in his heat race and claimed the 6th place position in an action packed feature event before an energetic Calistoga crowd.
"We went from bad to worse to pretty darn good this weekend," said McMahan. "We had a fast car on Saturday night but the losing the rear end took us out of contention. In the end we had a fun weekend and a top ten finish at Calistoga, I can't complain."
On Sunday night Sperry was 18th in qualifying with a 19:777. His qualifying effort was followed by a sixth place finish in the heat race and a 15th place finish in the 25-lap A-feature on an unusual dry slick Calistoga half mile. This Saturday, McMahan returns to the GSC Series for the 13th round of action at Placerville Speedway.
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. 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 Jun 03, 2010
- Article Date: 6/3/2010