Saturday night in Hanford, CA, Bud Kaeding ended his 2011 USAC National Sprint Car season in the worst way, upside down in turn one on the 16th lap.
Mid-week rains caused a heavy sticky racng surface for the 33 USAC Sprint Cars that checked in. With the night kicking off with qualifications, Kaeding climbed aboard his BK Mtorsports/Alviso Rock/Yak Graphics entry and proceeded to set a new track record at the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway.
The heavy track proved tricky in heat races, and Kaeding was unable to transfer to the feature, and was forced to run the B, for one final shot at moving to the season ending feature.
After starting on the pole, Kaeding proceeded to wire the field, as he transferred to the feature where he would roll off in the seventh position.
Two red flags halted the start of the event, but once the green flag fell for good, Kaeding and his Kaeding Performance/FK Shocks/SCI entry began challenging for the top five as he hooked up in a entertaining three way battle with Ryan Bernal and Bryan Clauson.
As the three battled, Kaeding biked in turn one on the 17th lap, and sent his machine upside down, ultimately ending his night.
“This place is usually slick and fun to run, but tonight she was sticky and a handful,” said Kaeding. “My guys worked their butts off all night trying to free us up, and I took a pretty good ride. I’m alright, probably going to be sore tomorrow, but we will be ready for Tucson.”
Bud Kaeding would like to thank Kaeding Performance, Sprint Car Innovations, Alviso Rock, BZE, Factory Kahne Shocks, Racing Optics, K&N Filters, Yak Graphics, ButerBuilt, and Brown and Miller for their continued support in 2011.
ON TAP: Bud will now head to Tucson, AZ for the Western World Finals taking place November 17-19.
