Roseville, California -- Eric Schmidt made his first win of the season a big win, claiming the win in the grueling Hotwood 111 for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models at Madera Speedway in Madera, Calif.
Golden State Racing teammate Katie Hagar of Sacramento pulled in a strong fifth place finish for the team as well, in a hugely successful night for the Frank Jordan-owned outfit that competes full-time at Madera.
Schmidt, the 2007 All American Speedway and 2006 SRL champion, had been in an uncharacteristic slump while trying to figure out the one-third mile asphalt oval just north of Fresno.
But on Saturday, Schmidt proved to any doubters that he “still has it,” qualifying second and leading 88 laps for the victory. The field featured champions from every central valley NASCAR track, and was arguably the toughest Western Late Model field this season in the state of the California.
“I ran down there three or four times in the SRL,” Schmidt said. “I just needed some time to figure out the Late Model tires. Also, in the Late Model at Madera the top groove is preferred and that took some getting used to.”
Schmidt moved quickly from his ninth starting position to take the lead from Jeff Belletto on lap 23.
“Sometimes it seems like you have those races where you start in the back and it takes a long time to get to the front but it wasn’t that way on Saturday,” Schmidt said.
For Hagar, she rolled off the grid second and ran third for more than half of the race. Hagar was passed by Gottula on lap 58 and then went back-and-forth with Rick Thompson.
Hagar ended up finishing fifth in the final rundown.
“Its good for the whole team to have (Katie) finishing races,” Schmidt said. “That’s what’s important for her to learn. What’s great is Saturday night we didn’t tear up any equipment, which gives us time to improve our equipment back at the shop rather than spend the time to repair it.”
The incredible runs for the Golden State Racing team sees Schmidt just 15 points behind Gottula in the points chase, with Hagar fifth but building up momentum for a run to the front of the standings.
Golden State Racing will return to action April 25 with a 50 lap feature as part of the NASCAR Camping World Series West night of racing at Madera Speedway.
Race fans can learn more about the talented team at www.goldenstateracing.com
Golden State Racing is also sponsored by: AT&T, Yellowpages.com, Petron Plus Formula 7, Jilbrit Internet Dealership Systems, Long Engine Systems, Higgins Hardwood, Harris Industrial Gases, Holiday Inn Express of Madera, Gone Racin’, and Blakesley Sports Media.
