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Photo by http://www.johnsracingphotos.com
Bud Kaeding dominates A-main at Ocean Speedway for second Golden State Challenge 410 Series victory of season
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – August 8, 2009…Rebounding from motor problems during his most recent Golden State Challenge appearance two weeks ago Campbell's Bud Kaeding proceeded to maneuver the BK Motorsports No. 29 sprinter to a dominating victory at the Ocean Speedway on Saturday night to score his second series win of the season.
The victory for Kaeding was also the sixth of his career with the Golden State Challenge King of California Series to put him in a tie with Randy Tiner, Paul McMahan and Bobby McMahan for 15th on the all-time win list. "We haven't won a GSC race at this place in a few years so it feels great to finally get back into victory lane here with the 410," said Kaeding, who last won a GSC event at the Ocean Speedway in 2006, while subbing for his father Brent Kaeding in the Al's Roofing Supply No. 69.
Going into his home track Saturday Kaeding looked to regroup after a blown engine in hot laps ended his night prematurely during his most recent Golden State Challenge Series outing in Chico on July 25. A field of 26 sprint cars was on hand at the Ocean Speedway Saturday for the penultimate event of the GSC season and the 29 year-old opened the night by setting the fourth fastest lap in qualifying and then driving the Alviso Rock, K&N Filters, High Five Pizza Maxim to a dominating victory in the opening heat race.
Kaeding then got a solid draw for the dash to put him on the front row for the six lap contest and he would hound leader Jason Statler for the entire distance, until getting a strong run in the final corners to miss out on the win by about a foot at the stripe in an exciting finish. It put him on the outside front row for the 30 lap Golden State Challenge Series main event and during the initial start he would run side-by-side with Statler for a half a lap, before the yellow lights flashed on for a pair of spun cars in the second corner. The next start saw Kaeding settle into second as he tried to find the preferred groove to put his machine in with the Ocean Speedway surface being prepared to perfection with multiple lines able to be used.
The Campbell racer found the high-side to his liking and began to reel in Statler, but cautions on lap four and six slowed the flow early on. When the green came back out Kaeding got his elbows up as he raced hard after Statler and on lap eight he would move the Swift Metal Finishing, YAK Graphics, Kaeding Performance No. 29 into the top spot off turn two. Shortly after that current GSC point leader Tyler Walker carved his way into second and then closed in on Kaeding's rear bumper.
Walker was in search of becoming the first driver to win nine main events in a single GSC season, but Kaeding would not let that bother him as he looked as strong as he has all season long with traffic coming into play. With the track being very racy and wide Kaeding could put his machine anywhere on the surface and pulled away from the field, navigating his way through traffic like a magician. After gaining a huge lead the final caution of the race came out on lap 25 and for the restart Kaeding had a four lapped car cushion between himself and Walker.
When the green flag waved for the final time Kaeding rocketed away from the rest of the competitors to easily cross under the checkered for his first Ocean Speedway victory of the year. "I have to give big thanks to my guys because this thing was awesome tonight," said a jubilant Kaeding on the front stretch after the race. "Being this close to home we have some sponsors in attendance tonight so we couldn't have picked a better night to win."
Kaeding was also in action on Thursday with the USAC K&N Silver Crown Series at Oswego Speedway in New York where he qualified 13th fastest out of 26 cars and brought home a 10th place finish in the 100 lap feature to maintain his series lead. The two-time Silver Crown champ will bring a 60-point advantage over Tracy Hines into the next event, which will take place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 22.
For more info on Campbell, CA's Bud Kaeding visit http://www.budkaedingracing.com
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Bud Kaeding and team in victory lane with the Golden State Challenge 410 Sprint Car Series at the Ocean Speedway on Saturday night. Photo by http://picasaweb.google.com/jmart16164?pli=1
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