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Photo by Johns Racing Photos
Jason Statler has tough evening at Ocean Speedway
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – March 14, 2008…Returning to the scene of his most recent victory Los Gatos racer Jason Statler was hoping for good things at his home track of Ocean Speedway in Watsonville this past Friday night.
Unfortunately lady luck wasn’t on the DF Rios Racing team’s side as a pair of accidents in the main event took Statler out of the running. Very strong day time winds gave way to extremely chilly temps at night as Statler and the rest of the teams made their way to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds ¼ mile on Friday night.
After timing in with a best lap of 12.273 aboard the DF Rios Construction, Pheasant Run Shopping Center, D & D Roofing No. 00, Statler started from the front row in the opening heat race and proceeded to hold off a strong challenge from youngster Shane Golobic to pick up the victory.
The qualifying time however, put Statler deep in the field for the feature and with the track dried out considerably it made it a difficult task for 22 cars going into turn one on the start of the main event. The start proved disastrous for Statler as he was involved in a multiple car pileup and got upside down in the first set of corners. After being towed to work area crew chief Mark Bristow and others went to work and did a fantastic job to get Statler back out on the speedway for the restart.
After going back green the former King of California got up on the wheel in “Big Guy style” and was moving forward from the get go. Just when it looked like he was going to salvage the race he was involved in another incident in turn two which put an end to the night. Statler will put the evening behind him and be back in action next Saturday night at the Placerville Speedway for Golden State Challenge Series Round 4.
For more info on Jason Statler and the 00 team log onto http://www.statlerracing.com
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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