|
Photo by Graph X Designs
Jason Statler races to first Golden State Challenge victory of season
By Gary Thomas
Petaluma, CA – June 7, 2008…Former King of California Jason Statler has had a rather tough start to the season with an unusually high amount of bad luck plaguing him for much of the year, but the Los Gatos veteran put that all behind him on Saturday night at the Petaluma Speedway and brought home his first Golden State Challenge Series win of 2008.
“The Big Guy” had finished second in the main event during the previous Petaluma Speedway visit and came into this past weekend off a pair of sixth place finishes last weekend with the series. The 3/8 mile clay oval also happened to be the site of his very first Northern Auto Racing Club victory, which occurred at NARC Speedweek in 1996.
“This feels great to be back up here in victory lane because we really needed a win bad,” Statler said. “I want to thank Dave Rios, Mark Bristow and this whole team for working hard all year and it’s great for it to finally pay off tonight. I also want to thank all you fans for coming out tonight and supporting us.”
The 30 lap GSC main event saw Statler start from the third position and fall into line fourth at the waving of the green flag. After a couple of laps he was able to move up to third before a caution flag flew on the third circuit. During the restart leader Tim Kaeding slowed with mechanical problems and it moved the DF Rios Construction, D & D Roofing No. 00 up to second for the restart.
Once the action got back underway he motored on in the runner-up spot until leader Tyler Walker tangled with a lapped car on lap six and came to a stop in turn four. After a season where he seemingly couldn’t catch a break, Statler now found himself sitting out front leading the field with 24 laps remaining in the race.
A number of cautions and reds slowed the pace of the feature and wore on Statler as the race went on. “It seemed like we couldn’t go a lap before the yellow lights came on and with the way the season has gone, a million thoughts kept going through my head,” he said. Statler continued to hit his marks however, and maintained the top spot ahead of 13-time and defending GSC champ Brent Kaeding.
Disaster nearly occurred on the 17th lap when two lapped cars spun directly ahead of him, but Statler was just able to make it through when it looked like he would be taken out of the running. “I have no idea how I made it out of that because I hit the stalled car in turn two, but thankfully we had some luck on our side tonight and got through unscathed.”
As the race went down to the wire Statler had to deal with Kaeding who was putting some intense pressure to the rear of the Pheasant Run Shopping Center, YAK Graphics Maxim, but the “Big Guy” didn’t let it faze him and drove off for his eighth career Golden State Challenge Series main event victory. “I have to thank Brent because he didn’t force the issue in the last couple laps once he got his nose under me. If he hadn’t let off I don’t think we would have been sitting up here because there was no way I was backing off,” Statler concluded with a big smile.
The Los Gatos driver also competed on Friday night at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway and brought home a third place finish in the feature aboard the Kaeding Performance, Bell Helmets No. 00.
With the momentum from his first GSC win of the season Statler will now head for the Calistoga Speedway next Saturday to compete in his first California Civil War Series event of the season. Last August he brought home a third place finish with the traveling 360 group in Calistoga and also won with the series in August of ’06 at the intimidating half-mile.
Statler is also coming off a season that saw him win the Salute to Walter T Ross at the Calistoga Speedway, which was his first 410 victory at the track. The Napa County Fairgrounds half-mile has long been one of his favorite tracks and he’ll shoot for his third career victory at the speedway next Saturday.
For more news and information on ’04 GSC champion Jason Statler and the Statler Racing team visit http://www.statlerracing.com
--------------------------
Jason Statler will head to to the beautiful Calistoga Speedway this coming Saturday to compete with the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series. Photo by Paul Trevino Racing Photos
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
|
