BAKERSFIELD, California — Madera Speedway celebrated our nation’s independence in grand style with an outstanding fireworks show that ignited the sky just before the start of the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series “Performance Electrical 120”. After the eight car invert was drawn by fast qualifier Craig Raudman, May 23rd winner Auggie Vidovich started on the pole with current Spears Southwest Tour Series point leader, M.K. Kanke, on the outside of row one.
"It’s really amazing to be racing with these guys and I’m having a great time doing it."— Kevin Callahan
At the drop of the green, Vidovich in his ActionSportsDrives.com/Performance Electrical Chevrolet jumped into the lead and moved to the preferred high line of the Madera 1/3 mile. The race began to look like a carbon copy of the SRL’s May 23rd event at Madera Speedway, with Kanke stalking Vidovich for the lead. Kanke made it known early on that he did not plan to ride in second position any longer than necessary. He quickly began to work Vidovich on the inside where he would draw even in the middle of the turn, but Vidovich would get the best drive off from the preferred second grove.
On lap 59, Kanke’s RPM/PSI Chevrolet made it to the left rear quarter panel of Vidovich at the stripe and muscled his way into the lead by a nose exiting turn two. Subsequently, the caution flag flew which established Kanke as the leader. Once the green waved to restart the race on lap 63, Kanke never looked back on his way to his third win in four starts in the 2009 Spears Southwest Tour Series.
"We really had a great car. It was tough to get by Auggie, but he is a class act and he raced me clean the whole time," remarked Kanke. "The tires were great tonight. I could drive wherever I wanted to and I finally found a way to get past Auggie…this is the best car I have ever had under me as long as I have been racing."
The battle for second now heated up on lap 65 as Santee’s Mike Mendenhall was closing in on Vidovich, Jim Pettit was third followed by Raudman. For 76 laps Pettit had worked on Mendenhall for third, but could not make the pass stick as Mendenhall held off each repeated attempt until contact on lap 80 between the two sent both cars to the pits for repairs. Pettit returned to finish fourth while Mendenhall retired for the evening.
“We’re still happy. We were really pleased with our car’s performance all weekend…we’re disappointed we didn’t close the deal with a good finish, but as odd as it sounds, we’re still happy.” stated Mendenhall after the race.
On lap 88, Victory Circle Chassis Rookie-of-the-Year contender Kevin Callahan moved passed Raudman for third. Callahan soon had a mirror full of Greg Voigt’s Auto-Pro Racing Engines Chevrolet which had charged through the field after a lap 60 pit stop. Callahan made the pass on Vidovich for second on lap 107 with Voigt in tow. After a hard fought battle for second over the next 12 laps, Voigt moved even with Callahan on the final lap. The two cars were locked at the door handles as they slid off turn 4 going for the SUNOCO Checkered Flag, with Callahan edging Voigt for second by less than six inches at the finish line.
"It’s really amazing to be racing with these guys and I’m having a great time doing it," said the 21-year-old Callahan. "I have been watching M.K. since I was a kid and he has always been great, so I wasn’t surprised by how well he ran tonight."
The top five at the finish were Kanke, Callahan, Voigt, Pettit, and Josh Combs. Kanke extended his point lead over Voigt, 208 to 166.
The next stop for the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series will be at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on Saturday, July 18th for the “SPEARS MANUFACTURING 100”.
Watch the “Performance Electrical 120” at www.GoLiveStream.TV
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Race Stats: SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series “Performance Electrical 120” – July 4, 2009 at Madera Speedway
Race Leaders: Auggie Vidovich 1-59, Kanke 60 -120
Lead Changes: 2
Winning Margin: 3.498 seconds
Fastest Lap of Race: Kanke 14.680 seconds on lap 7
Time of Race: 42 minutes 2 seconds
Fast Qualifier: Craig Raudman 14.607 seconds
Five Star Race Bodies Hard Charger Award: Kevin Callahan
Ron’s Rear Ends Hard Luck Award: Rex Lockwood
Top Victory Circle Rookie-of-the-Year contender: Kevin Callahan
2009 Championship Standings: Kanke 208, Voigt 166, Byrd 161, Pettit 155, Raudman 147, Bammer 142, Callahan 140, Combs 124, Farre’ 122, Newberry 120, Westmoreland 120, Ermish 116, Mantooth 102, LaMoure 97, Vidovich 87, Wood 74, Mendenhall 67, Spangler 62, Sanchez 62, Potts 52. (Note: Best 9 of 10 finishes will be tallied for championship)
