IRVINE, CA -- Craig Raudman, driver of the #2 Advantage Memory/Truck Toys/Speedway Café Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Winston West and NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series, can't remember when he's looked forward so much to a race. Even though Raudman was involved in Dave Reed Racing's decision to run a limited schedule during the 1999 season, it's been a really long winter. The team has kept itself busy working on the racecars, sprucing up the hauler and, generally, attending to business. But, finally, it's time to go racing again.

Come Saturday, Raudman and his team will be at Cajon Speedway in El Cajon, California, ready to compete with the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series regulars in the Coors Light 125.

Raudman commented, "I can't wait...if fact, the entire team is rested up, pumped up and ready to go. I love short track racing, and Cajon is one of my favorites. Everything NASCAR racing is known for happens there...tight, fender to fender racing from start to finish."

Tracy Norman, who was recently promoted to crew chief, and several other long- time crewmembers will join Raudman at Cajon Speedway. Raudman will drive one of his Victory Circle cars that has been built with a new front geometry the shop has recently tested and tested at Mesa Marin Race in Bakersfield, near Victory Circle's shop.

As a preamble to the weekend's activities, Raudman will make a stop at the Irvine Spectrum Center's recently opened Speedway Café. He'll be available at the Speedway Café for autographs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday evening. The Irvine Spectrum Center is located in Irvine, California just off the 405 freeway.

Co-sponsors Truck Toys and Speedway Café will both participate in the event. Truck Toys owner, John Devito, plans to bring one of his customized vehicles to Cajon Speedway and Speedway Café will supply crew uniforms for the team.

Dave Reed Racing operates NASCAR Winston West and Featherlite Southwest Series teams with Craig Raudman as driver. He finished the year in seventh place out of fifteen drivers competing for the Sears Point Raceway Winston West Rookie-of-the-Year Award and thirteenth in the points standings. Raudman finished in the top five in final points standings in four of his past five full NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series seasons. His successful 1997 season included one win, six top five finishes, thirteen top ten finishes and three Bud Pole Awards.

Source: RacingWest
Posted: 3/25/99