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Statler finishes seventh at Ocean Speedway

By Gary Thomas

May 6, 2007... San Jose’s Jason Statler brought home a pair of top 10's this past weekend, but it wasn’t exactly what the 2004 King of California is used to as passing cars was difficult. Getting finishes is what you need to do though and in a points race, those will pay off as the season goes on. Jason and the No. 10 team have shown some serious speed throughout the season and as the action heats up in the coming month, you should expect to see the ‘Big Guy" up front each and every night.

Jason kicked off the weekend with Silver Dollar Speedway Point Race #6 on Friday in Chico. He took part in an autograph session before the night’s action and was then ready to try and cut into Jonathan Allard’s point lead the track point standings. Jason began the night by qualifying 19^th quick aboard the Tom Rolfe Trucking, DF Rios Construction, Pheasant Run Shopping Center No. 10. He then brought home a third place finish in the night’s third heat race to transfer the Platinum Powder Coating, Northgate Rock, BR Motorsports No. 10 into the night’s main event.

In the 25 lap main event Jason started way back in the 15^th position. The 1/4 mile bullring had remained hooked up and fast all night and Jason made his way up to a 10th place finish by the finish. During the night Jason commented that they had changed a few things on the car and they just didn’t work. It was apparent as Jason uncharacteristically struggled during the night at a track he always does well at.

Saturday night was Golden State Challenge Series Round 10 at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway and strong winds during the day took its toll on the track surface as it got drier and tougher to pass on as the night went on.

Jason began the night by qualifying seventh quickest with a lap of 12.893 around the 1/4 mile clay oval. Jason lined up fourth in the night’s opening heat race and fell back early on before bringing home a sixth place finish. Jason tried hard to get around youngster Brett Miller the last few laps but couldn’t get the traction to make the pass.

By not finishing in the top five it took a chance away of getting into the dash and with only 20 cars competing during the night, no B-main was held so Jason was placed behind the dash cars for the 30 lap main event. He started from the inside of row five and after 30 laps he brought the Tom Rolfe Trucking, Yak Graphics, Hansen Machine No. 10 home in seventh place. Track conditions were very tough for the second Saturday in a row as it was one lane on the bottom during the whole main event.

This coming weekend will see the biggest night of racing this season for the Golden State Challenge Series as the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial takes place on Saturday at Silver Dollar Speedway. The event pays honor to racing star Dave Bradway Jr. who was taken from us in a crash at the Skagit Speedway in 1987. The race has been going on since 1991 and is always the most prestigious race to win during the GSC season and Jason had the honor of claiming the race in 2004, the same season he won the King of California championship.

The action gets underway on Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway with Point Race #7. The night will feature the highest paying Point Race of the season as extra sponsors have boosted the winning payday up to $2,350. Then on Saturday night it will be the 17^th Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial which also serves as Golden State Challenge Series Round #11. Jason goes into the night sitting fourth in the GSC point standings. We encourage everybody to attend Saturday’s race as this is always one of the funnest night’s of the season as we pay tribute to a respected driver that touched so many people.

For more info on Jason Statler visit http://www.statlerracing.com

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

Jason Statler goes into the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial weekend sitting fourth in the Golden State Challenge Series standings. Jason won the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial in 2004 and will look to win it again on Saturday.

Photos by Davy Thomas

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

Photo by Davy Thomas

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

Jason Statler in victory lane at the 2004 Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial. Photo by Johns Racing Photos

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com