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Photo by Davy Thomas
Motor problems slow Brett Miller on final night of Memorial Day weekend triple-header
By Gary Thomas
Calistoga, CA - May 30, 2007... Following two solid night’s of Golden State Challenge Series action for Chico’s Brett Miller, motor issues forced the youngster to scratch after heat race competition at the 24th annual Tribute to Gary Patterson on Sunday night. Prior to the Tribute to GP, however, Brett and Care Free Pools Racing put together a pair of very good night’s to kick off the first three day weekend that the Golden State Challenge Series has seen in a long time.
The three day Memorial Day weekend workout began on Friday at the 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway located on the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. As the weather started to heat up in Chico and Northern California in general, getting to the cooler climate of Petaluma was a nice change of pace.
Brett started off the weekend with scoring the best qualifying effort of his Golden State Challenge career. "The Catfish" blistered the 3/8 mile in 12.862 seconds aboard the Care Free Pools, Platinum Powder Coating, Care Free Custom Graphics, A1A Performance Muffler No. 1x. The time was good enough for a close second in the qualifying order behind only 12-time King of California and Nor Cal legend Brent Kaeding. The 17 year-old then lined up sixth in the second heat race and carved his way forward to collect a third place finish and put the Wolfe Electric, Aspire Homes, Jandy Pools, Smartwebsales.com No. 1x into the dash.
The dash birth was the third time Brett has gotten into a dash this season and he started fifth and finished fifth in the six lap contest, holding off a late race charge by Brent Kaeding to earn a third row starting spot in the feature. The track was very tacky and made for some very fast racing all night long and the 30 lap main event was no exception. "The Catfish" ran right around the top five for much of the feature and at the finish he brought home a solid sixth place finish.
On Saturday Brett competed in his very first 410 race at the quick and long Calistoga Speedway ½ mile during the annual Salute to Walter T Ross. Brett qualified 17th quick and finished fifth in a very stacked second heat race. He then lined up way back in the 17th position for the 25 lap main event. Brett looked much more comfortable in the car during the feature as he began to get a feel for the track
"The Catfish" had driven forward and during a yellow flag on lap 20 the BR Motorsports, Al’s Concrete, RPM Racing Engines, JP’s Paint & Body No. 1x sat in ninth place. The final lap of the feature was wild as a handful of cars ran out of gas and Brett maneuvered around them to finish the Salute to Walter T Ross main event in seventh place. It was a good end to Brett’s first night at Calistoga in a 410 and everyone looked forward to coming back on Sunday for the 24th annual Tribute to Gary Patterson.
During maintenance on the car Sunday morning the crew found a problem with the motor that was used on Saturday night, so it was decided to swap the engine to not risk further damage. The team was forced to use the small track motor and were unfortunately underpowered for the super fast Calistoga Speedway on Sunday night. Brett qualified 18th quickest in the field aboard the Maxim Chassis, Country Craftsman No. 1x and in the heat race he heard a pop in the engine. "The Catfish" pulled to a stop on the track and was a scratch for the rest of the night.
On Monday Brett’s grandpa and team owner Bill Bell brought both engines up to Steve at RPM to check them over.
As of now Brett and Care Free Pools Racing are planning on running both night’s this coming weekend with the Golden State Challenge Series. On Friday GSC is in Watsonville for a night of action at Ocean Speedway. Brett earned his career best GSC finish the last time the series was at the track and will look for more good things this time around. On Saturday the series shifts over to the Placerville Speedway bullring for the final time this season at the red clay 1/4 mile.
For more news and info on 17 year-old Brett Miller visit http://www.brettmillerracing.net
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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After running three straight night's of GSC action this past weekend, Brett Miller and Care Free Pools are planning on running both night's this weekend in W'ville & P'ville. The Golden State Challenge Series goes from a pair of big tracks last week to a pair of bullrings this week.
Photos by Davy Thomas
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www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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