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Photo by L & J Photos
Bud Kaeding scores runner-up in Watsonville and charges for top 10 in Petaluma
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – April 18, 2009…Returning to California racing competition after a weekend away Campbell's Bud Kaeding drove to a runner-up finish on Friday evening at the Ocean Speedway and put on a charge from the rear of the field on Saturday in Petaluma to score a top 10 in the main event with the Golden State Challenge Series.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Sala/Matherly No. 19 sprinter on Friday night Kaeding was strong once again as he picked up his second podium finish with the GLR Investments 360 sprints at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds track. "The track got really slick, but it stayed pretty racy so it was a lot of fun," Kaeding said. "The 19 car was strong tonight and I definitely think we're gonna win one of these Friday night shows really soon."
After qualifying seventh fastest in the 27 car field the two-time USAC Silver Crown champion brought home a runner-up finish in his heat race to transfer the Weldway Construction, M&M Powder Coating, Kaeding Performance Maxim into the main event. When the big 10 pill was drawn for the inversion it put Kaeding on the inside of the third row for the main event.
The Ocean Speedway surface had slicked off as the night went along and made it crucial to be smooth and easy on the throttle during the 30 lap feature. Kaeding moved his way steadily up to second and tried his hardest to get by leader Jason Statler, but couldn't get the opening he needed and drove the Sala/Matherly Racing No. 19 to a second place finish at the checkered flag.
Kaeding last year finished in a tie for fourth in the Ocean Speedway standings and following his second place finish on Friday night sits just five points behind father Brent in the current standings. "We were really good in the main event, but Jason ran a great race and just didn't give us a chance to make something happen. It was a good run though and gives me some confidence with GSC coming to town next week."
On Saturday night Kaeding headed for the Petaluma Speedway to compete with the Golden State Challenge Series aboard the BK Motorsports, K&N Filters, High Five Pizza No. 29. The evening got off to a tough start though as the 29 year-old qualified well back of what he's used to with his best lap of 13.186 good enough for just 18th quick out of 23 cars.
The crew went to work following qualifying however, and Kaeding jumped out into the lead of his heat race and proceeded to hold off a strong charge from Jonathan Allard to pick up the victory. With the lower than usual qualifying time though, it forced him to line-up deep in the field from the 18th starting position. Early on he had his elbows up as he quickly carved his way up to the top 10 by the time a handful of laps had been completed.
A lap 17 restart would then see Kaeding make an inside pass of Evan Suggs to claim ninth and as the laps ticked down he would make another pass to move the Alviso Rock, Swift Metal Finishing, MDR Machine No. 29 into the eighth position, where he would eventually finish after 30 laps of racing. "It's pretty tough to start from that far back with the kind of competition we have out here," Kaeding said. "We did pretty good to come through on a very fast track though and we'll move on and try and get this thing into victory lane next week in Watsonville."
Next up will be a home game for Kaeding and BK Motorsports as the Golden State Challenge 410 Sprint Car Series invades the Ocean Speedway this coming Saturday night. Last season the Campbell driver scored three top-five finishes in the four GSC events at the quarter-mile bullring, including a runner-up finish to Tyler Walker on May 30. Don't forget to stop by the trailer after the races to check out our wide variety of merchandise on sale.
More news and info on Bud Kaeding can be found by visiting http://www.budkaedingracing.com
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Bud Kaeding will look for his first Golden State Challenge victory of the season when the touring 410 series makes its way to the Ocean Speedway this coming Saturday night. Photo by http://www.graphxdesigns.com
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