Dave Byrd went after the triple feat of three main events, at two different tracks, in one day and pulled it off. Dave’s 31 years of racing has produced numerous opportunities to race double headers in the same division or even quite a number of times he has had the fortune of racing in two separate divisions on the same night including a personal record of racing nine races in 11 days, but Dave had never raced three main events in one day. Saturday August 30th, Dave changed that stat as he raced in the 100 lap SRL Southwest Tour race at Altamont Raceway Park outside Tracy, California in a 'Day' show and then made the trip south to Madera Speedway in Madera, California to race in twin 75 lap Late Model mains events in an 'evening' show.
The day started early with the Altamont Raceway Park opening the track at 8:00 am. The day moved fast, starting with two practice sessions and qualifying, then rolled right into the SRL Southwest Tour Series main event. Qualifying did not go all that well, for the team, and Dave lined up in the 11th starting position. The cars were impounded by the SRL officials after qualifying and no adjustments could be done to the cars before the main event. The green flag flew at a reasonable 3:45pm and the race was on. The crew had a plan to bring Dave in and make wholesale changes to the car, but never really got the chance. Dave was man handling the car and was moving through the field. Dave would run as high as second, but in the closing laps ended up fourth.
“It’s too bad I couldn’t quite hold the position at the end there,” explained a winded Dave Byrd. “This car has good power and great bite, but I was working so hard to get the car to turn, I’m sure I burned off the right rear (tire).”
The SRL race did run longer than expected, due to an extended red flag for the clean up of Rick Ruzbarsky’s turn three crash. The second race of the day for Dave was suppose to be the first of two main events at Madera Speedway, but with the delay caused by the extended SRL race at Altamont, the race was on just to get to Madera Speedway. The only thing that could have made the race to Madera Speedway smoother would have been a police escort, which at times was probably on the verge of happening!
After numerous update phone calls to the Madera crew and Madera track officials, Dave’s rock star style entrance to the track included cooperation from security, track officials and crew members. Dave was able to race right up to the team’s trailer, sign in, and jump in the race car, in time to roll off the scales and pull out on the track behind the field of cars during driver’s introductions. Having missed qualifying, Dave was required to start at the rear of the field in both Madera main events.
Special help during the day came from unlikely places as two of Dave’s main competitors in the special “Hotwood Bonus Awards” would come to the aid of the team in helping tech and practice the car. Jeff Belletto from the long time rival Belletto family sat in Dave’s car for scaling purposes and “Young Gun” Ross Strimiska gave up one of his practice session in order to “Hot Lap” Dave’s car. This was especially important as the car had gone through major work since it was last raced.
With humid temperatures still hovering at over 100 degrees in the central valley, Dave was able to jump in the car and race 75 laps, battleing to a third place finish. During the approximate two hour break to run other divisions, Dave used the time to down fluids in order to battle the intense heat and possible dehydration. The crew used the time to make adjustments to the car. The Western Late Models lined up again with Dave once again starting at the rear of the field. Dave was able to race an additional 75 laps bringing home another third place finish.
For more information, race over to www.davebyrdracing.com
Dave Byrd is partnered with: Performance Electrical, Strandwold Properties, Jack McCoy Enterprises, Freight Train Peters Racing Engines, Ringers Gloves, Team Chevrolet, Foletta Bros, Inc., Swendeman Hardware, and Bob Strandwold Racing, Madera Auto Center, Madera Toyota, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, Madera Chevrolet, Country Club Auto Body, MTD Farms, Performance Electric, Foletta Bros, Inc., Madera Mobile, Perko’s Café & Grill, Robert V. Jensen, Inc., Central Valley P & S, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Jason’s Mobile Graphics & Decal, Kragen Auto Parts, Electronic Sorting Service, Schoettler Tire, Inc., AmeriPride Uniform Service, BG, Jim & Pam Garcia, Kenny Whalen Racing, Sargent Racing, Webster, Country Builders and Construction.
