By Bill Sullivan, Sullivan Images Media
SEBASTOPOL, CA 9-18-10 - Sebastopol's Bradley Terrell began the 2010 racing season aboard his family owned number #43 sprint car and was set to travel around to race in a variety of venues throughout the year. Early in the season, 19-year-old Terrell found himself in the point lead of Petaluma Speedway's All Pro Series and decided then he would pursue his first career championship.
It was just a few weeks into the season when Terrell lost the motor in his own sprint car and was faced with giving up his quest for the All Pro Championship, a series he contested for in 2009 and finished as a bridesmaid to two time champion Alissa Geving of nearby Penngrove.
Thanks to the contributions and support of area car owner Scotty Dupont, Terrell has now been added to the list of champions at Petaluma Speedway after he captured the title last Saturday night. The evening was a reverse dejevue of 2009 for Terrell, on this night Geving won the main event while he finished third to capture the title.
"Words cannot convey how appreciative I am of Scotty Dupont for his help this season," said Terrell, who drove Dupont's American Auctioneering sponsored sprint car for the remainder of the season. "He stepped in at a time when I thought our season was over and gave me a competitive car to drive. I could not have done this without him and my whole family that put so much into this team."
Terrell's third place finish was his ninth top five finish of the season Saturday night and his 11th top 10 placement of the year. During the 2010 campaign the Analy High School Graduate garnered two feature wins, four third place finishes, two fourth place finishes, a fifth place, one eigth place finish and a 10th which took place on the night when he suffered mechanical woes.
"We really had a good consistent season for the most part," said Terrell. "It was that consistency that kept us in the point lead and resulted in winning the championship. Although it was something I tried not to think about all year, it feels good to finally win it. Not only for myself, for Scotty and my whole team, they deserve this."
Entering the final night of competition, Terrell's title was far from being secured in his name. Before the first green flag of the night waved he sat just eight points ahead of Calistoga's Mike Benson. Benson gave it his all on Saturday night throughout the preliminary competition. In the end, Terrell claimed the title by a 25-point margin over Benson.
In the pit area following the championship race, a crowd of Petaluma race fans gathered to offer their congratulations on his accomplishment. While the team wore big smiles and enjoyed the attention they all had the same thing on their mind…what's next for Bradley Terrell as the immediate future remains uncertain for the talented young driver.
"This could be the last race of the year for us but I don't want it to be," said Terrell. "I would love race in the post season events like the Fall Nationals in Chico and especially the Trophy Cup in Tulare. I love running that race but right now we have no motor in our own car so I need to find a motor I can use or find a car owner that’s looking for a driver. Hopefully something comes along because I think we could do really well this year coming off this championship like this."
Bradley Terrell wishes to thank Dupont and American Auctioneering along with his marketing partners including 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.
To learn more about Bradley Terrell or to inquire about sponsorship of this racing team or driving opportunities visit his official website at www.bradleyterrell.com. Those who wish to inquire about sponsorship can email the team at bt@bradleyterrell.com. Bradley Terrell can also be found on the social networking site Facebook.
- Bill Sullivan on Sep 21, 2010
- Article Date: 9/21/2010