LAKE HAVASU, Arizona — Cabrera sets FAST TIME! Starts third in the 100 lap main, takes the lead on lap 60 and goes on to dominate the race, lapping all the way up to third place! One fan was heard saying "heck, I thought he was gona lap himself!" But their truck didn't come out of the trailer so good, "it wouldn't turn in the center at Friday mornings testing", Cole explained. "My crew chief Mike Munoz & the team and I worked all day on the truck! On Saturday morning we continued to even better the truck, we ended up fastest in practice and set fast time. In the trophy dash, we learned when we were forced to run the bottom, we were lacking some forward bite. Before the main we were able to make some final adjustments that made the truck even better! The truck really didn't change throughout the race, it was awesome!" "I told Mike, if we'd had a bit more forward bite, we would of lapped everyone!" — Cole
Crew Chief Mike Munoz and his crew (Gill Munoz, Mike Freitas, Bobby Schoenbachler and Daniel Vasquez) have managed the "53 Truck" from the beginning of the season. Coles father tells us, "Mike has done an exceptional job with not only with the car, but with Cole. They have formed a bond like a great team should, Mike has shown Cole the importance of understanding a race car, as a driver. I'm extremely proud of the team!" Mike has worked on several high caliber teams throughout his 16 year career, (including two NASCAR Truck teams in N.C., West Teams, Super Lates and also won a Southwest Tour Championship with Matt Crafton). Mike currently manages Central Coast Racing for Todd Souza in the number 13 NASCAR Camping World West Series">NASCAR Camping World West Series car. They have ran partial schedules over the last two years, getting a win in Utah last year. Mike brings priceless knowledge to the 53 team! Mike says "I truly enjoy working with Cole, his young raw talent amazes me every time he gets in a car. He's smart & he learns fast, he"s acquiring a real grasp on car setup, his feedback is that of a mature racer. I'm constantly telling his father to remind me of his age. If you get a chance to watch the kid, you'll know what I mean, he's good! I'm excited to see where he goes, and glad to be a part of it!"
Cole started out racing motorcycles at the young age of four, at ten he moved to dirt micro sprint cars, racing them all over Central California. At thirteen he made his move to the pavement where he ran some races in a Legend car. This year at age 14, he made the transition to the full size ASA Speedtruck, where he won almost half of the races in the 2009 season. "From the first time I placed Cole on an atv at three years old, he's always been advanced for his age." Cole's Father. "Anything he has driven from a 360ci sprint car on dirt, to a 600 hp stock car on pavement, he picks it up almost immediately. It shows because Cole has been 'Rookie of the Year' several times in several series."
Cole's father tells us, "Cole is still too young to run other types of stock cars, so we're really glad the ASA Speedtruck Series was there as an option, it allowed him to run a big car at 14 years old. The series was a really good choice, Cole has been able to gain some valuable experience that he wouldn't get until he's 16 in other series. The series has some very talented drivers & crew chiefs, and the competition is good."
"We're not definite of our plans, but most likely Cole we'll continue with ASA and run a Spears SRL Southwest Tour Car when he turns 16. Hopefully a West Car opportunity will come our way." — Bobby Cabrera
Cole Cabrera is only the second 14 year old to win a main event in the ASA series — Cole crossed the finish line FIRST, four times this season! (out of a ten race season)
www.ColeCabrera.com
