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Photos by Graph X Designs
Brett Miller & Care Free Pools Racing win special awards at GSC Banquet
By Gary Thomas
Oroville, CA – January 7, 2007…The Care Free Pools Racing team made out well this past Saturday night during the annual Golden State Challenge Series award banquet at the Feather Falls Casino in Oroville. The top 10 drivers in the final season standings were given a chance to get up on stage and recognize those who make everything possible in this expensive sport of auto racing. John Padjen Motorsports announcers Troy Hennig & Bill Sullivan emceed the ceremony.
Brett ended up finishing seventh in points during his first full time campaign with the traveling 410 series and captured the Rookie of the Year award. “I have to thank my mom Beth who doesn’t get recognized enough and my grandparents Bill & Jeanne for everything they do for me and this team,” Brett commented on stage. “Overall it was a fun but tough year and I feel that I learned a lot of things that I can take with me in the future.”
The 18 year-old scored his two best career GSC finishes during the month of June when the series made its way to a pair of tracks that don’t get seen very often by Northern California sprint car racers. The first came on June 11 when GSC traveled North to the Southern Oregon Speedway in Medford, Oregon. The night of competition at the 1/3 mile track saw Brett qualify fourth fastest out of 23 cars and score fourth in the 30 lap feature, finishing only behind veterans Brent Kaeding, Jonathan Allard and Trevor Green. The following week then saw GSC head for its inaugural event at the American Valley Speedway in beautiful Quincy, CA.
The 3/8 mile track has long straights and narrow turns and is surrounded by beautiful scenery which made it nice getaway for the team. During the night Brett charged from sixth to second in his heat race and started the 30 lap main event in the 17th position. On the start of the feature he was caught up in a big mess when a car towards the front of the field got sideways. After pitting to get the damage fixed, the “Catfish” proceeded to carve his way through the field and got all the way back up to fourth where he went on to finish.
Unfortunately the season was also a difficult one as motor issues and just plain old bad luck seemed to plague Brett and the team for much of the season. Around mid-May the engine issues began to surface and it lingered into the summer to the point where all the teams 410 engines were out of commission, and a 360 was put underneath the hood for a few weekends in July. That dedication to the team and the series was apparent to many people and team owner Bill Bell was given the Dave Bradway Jr. Inspiration award by the GSC committee.
“I don’t really know what to say as I’m almost speechless,” Bill said on stage accepting the trophy. “This is really a big honor and I have to thank my guys: Keith Berge, Scot Clarke & Dave Petterson who worked really hard all season and never gave up. I have to thank my wife and my whole family who support everything 100% and I want to thank my driver and grandson Brett who is a great kid and competitor.” Bill also commented that the team had some great engines, but the luck just didn’t seem to be on their side all season long. He also gave thanks and appreciation to all the sponsors and marketing partners who help out with the team and make it possible to get out on the track each and every weekend.
Brett will be in action this week as he makes his way back to compete in his first Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Center in Oklahoma. A record 285 midgets are entered to do battle in the 22nd annual event that features drivers from all walks of motorsports including the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, the World of Outlaws, NHRA, USAC and more. The event gets under way Tuesday night with a pre-qualifier and then the next three nights are set for prelim action to gain points towards Saturday’s finale. Brett will hit the track for his prelim night on Friday, which also includes big time drivers Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Cory Kruseman, Jason Meyers, Dave Darland, Jason Leffler and many more. Also qualifying on that same night are Kyle Larson and Mason Moore, a couple more of the young guns from California. For the event Brett will be competing aboard the Fauver Race Ready Rentals, Care Free Pools No. 64
For more information on Brett Miller and Care Free Pools Racing log onto http://www.brettmillerracing.net
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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Brett Miller being interviewed by Bill Sullivan on stage
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Bill Bell at the table standing next to the Dave Bradway Jr. Inspiration award
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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