SCHMIDT AND GOLDEN STATE RACING PULL OFF NEAR WIN IN WEST DEBUT

Source: Golden State Racing Media Relations
Date: 04/01/2008

ROSEVILLE, California – 2007 All American Speedway champion Eric Schmidt of Roseville, CA made a huge splash in his NASCAR Camping World Series West premiere on Saturday night, nearly pulling off the win.

But the results for the Toyota / NAPA Autocare 150 will show the Frank Jordan owned Golden State Racing team finished 16th, after a late race spin with one lap remaining cost a top-three finish.

“Its just one of those deals,” Schmidt said. “If I was running for points, maybe I’d be a little more upset about it. I am happy to be here.”

Schmidt satisfied the hometown crowd earlier in the afternoon by qualifying fifth for the prestigious race in his AT&T / Yellowpages.com Chevrolet.

The 2006 SRL champion was in for a big challenge from the get go, after being spun on the fifth lap of competition and losing a lap in the process.

But by lap 40, Schmidt had made his lap up, and charged all the way to the 15th position. By lap 71, Schmidt was up to ninth. With leader Eric Holmes enjoying a comfortable lead on the field, all eyes were on Schmidt’s dramatic drive to the front.

Just ten laps later on lap 81, Schmidt was in the top-five, and had 69 laps to make his move to the lead.

Schmidt dueled past Austin Cameron and David Mayhew to assume the second spot on lap 127.

On the final green-white-checkered restart on lap 151, Schmidt was positioned third, inside of row two.

As Holmes and Mayhew motored away, Schmidt was embroiled in a furious battle for the third position.

With the white flag in the air as Schmidt exited turn four, he received contact that sent him for a spin and left him with a 16th place finish.

Schmidt’s car was not as strong on the shorter runs and had its swaybar dragging after the long drive through the field.

“In practice, the longer we ran the better the car got,” Schmidt said. “In these cars you have to be more patient to pass some cars. In a late model you can be more aggressive.”

Schmidt was excited about the solid run in front of his home fans.

“I’ve been racing on and off here for about 17 years,” Schmidt said. “To be a part of something this big is awesome.”

Schmidt plans on running at least two more races in the NASCAR Camping World Series West in 2008, while also assisting his Late Model team’s transition from a one-car effort to a three-car effort. Schmidt is eying a possible full-time drive in 2009.

Golden State Racing’s Late Model program will make its season debut on Saturday at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA.

Golden State Racing is online at www.goldenstateracing.com

Golden State Racing is supported by: AT&T, Yellowpages, Inventory Sales Company, JM Environmental, TXI – Riverside Concrete Company, Long Engine Systems, Higgins Hardwood, Harris Industrial Gases, Gone Racin’, and Blakesley Sports Media.

Updated 8:22am 04.01.08 RacingWest.com

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