Croft Conquers Marysville
Saturday night in Marysville, CA, Willie Croft returned to the track he competed at regularly early in his career and capped off a very strong night by parking his Holy Smokes BBQ/Amerikote/A.R.T. in victory lane for the first time in 2011.
After lining up outside of the first row, Croft quickly began working on early race leader Jonathon Allard, as they quickly pulled away from the field. The slicked off racing surface made passing ultra tough, but Croft continued to hound Allard until the caution waved of the fifth circuit.
After getting back underway via a double file restart, it was apparent the Holy Smokes BBQ No.29 was faster then the leader as he was now all over Allard. On the eighth circuit, Willie was able to slide under Allard, and quickly distance himself from the rest of the field.
After a long green flag run, that saw Croft reach lapped traffic, the 29 car picked through it to perfection as he was never seriously challenged for the top spot, until the caution flag waved on lap 21, bunching the field up for a double file restart.
As the race got underway, Croft was able to rocket away from the field, and roll the slicked off surface to near perfection. One final caution flew on lap 28, once again bunched the field up, setting up a green-white-checkered shootout, but Willy would not be beaten on this night as he cruised to his first victory of 2011.
“This was absolutely a great night all around,” said a jubilant Croft. “We qualified with a new track record, ran second in both out heat and the dash, and got out of here with our first KWS win of the season. I have to thank all my guys for everything tonight, and we will take this momentum to Chico, and the Bradway next week.”
To kick off the night, Willie timed his Amerikote/A.R.T. No. 29 in with the quickest lap in the history of Marysville Raceway Park. Croft then proceeded to charge through his heat after coming to a stop early, and finishing second, before charging from fourth to second in the dash.
Willie and his Amerikote Racing/team twenty nine crew will be back in action Saturday May 7, 2011 at the Silver Dollar Speedway for the annual Dave Bradway, Jr Memorial.
For more information, including the latest merchandise please visit www.williecroftracing.com.
- Petersen Media on May 01, 2011
- Article Date: 5/1/2011