BAKERSFIELD, California -- Saturday night May 31 was a great night at Mesa Marin. The night was full of great racing and a Fireworks Show. This special night was to celebrate the 90th birthday of Jim Burke Ford. It was only fitting that a Ford would win, right?
The JW Racing crew arrived unsure of the motor, it had been rebuilt during the week because of a rod knocking the previous week. Jeff Williams said it sounded good but then it sounded good the week before until it got to the track. We will just have to wait and see.
When Jeff took his first practice he found the truck to be loose off the corner, and he also found that he was bumping the rev limiter before getting to the turns. Sense the track doesn't open until two in the afternoon this time of year things happen fast. Before we could decide what to do it was time for the second practice. Jeff found that it was no different than the first.
After the second practice a decision was made to change the rear gear and make a shock change. We only had about 45 minutes to get it done but thats racing.
Jeff’s new crew member Camren Beattie, jumped in like a pro and got busy changing the rear end. The crew from the #22 truck came to help also. After some struggling and a few bad words the truck was ready. Just in time to go qualify.
Jeff’s first lap of qualifying was only a 22.3 but he was just determining how the truck felt after the changes. It must have felt good because the next lap was a 21.6 and he had qualified 5th.
Next came a heat race where Jeff would be starting on the pole. At the drop of the green Jeff began to pull ahead of Jim Satterfield the #22. Jim was battling with Tony Forfa the #44 when suddenly Jim hit the wall and his heat race was done. On the restart Tony was glued to the rear of the #28. The heat race was only eight laps long and Jeff took the checkered still in first place.
The tires hadn't even cooled when the call came to stage for the main.
Jeff started in 5th where he had qualified. In the first couple of laps he dropped to 6th. With in five more laps he was back in 5th. Jeff now had about a half a straight-a-way between him and the top four. He continued to run his race and he could tell that he was not losing ground. As the laps continued the distance shortened little by little.
The 79 truck who had been leading blew a motor, and a caution flag came out to check the track. Now Jeff was in fourth. On the restart Jeff was maintaining fourth but was being pressured by the 30 truck of Michael Hahn. Michael was able to get by putting Jeff back to 5th. Michael continued to second place battling for first when his transmission went out. Jeff was now back up to fourth.
The 00 was running third and Jeff was pressuring for the position. A few laps later Jeff was third. The 88 was second and several truck lengths ahead. Jeff continued to push hard and caught the 88. Then Jeff was second. The #72 truck was running in first and again had a few truck lengths on the JW Racing Ford. With only five laps to go it looked like a second place would be our prize. Suddenly a truck spun in turn two and the caution came out.
A green, white, checkered would give Jeff a chance at a first place finish. Going into turns one and two the #72 pushed up the track a little and Jeff was there to take advantage. He came along side the #72 and they were together down the back straight. Aaron driving the #72 is a good and hard driver, but so is Jeff. Aaron being on the outside and having momentum could pull Jeff on the straights. Coming out of one and two on the final lap Aaron pulled about three quarters of a truck and that is how they entered turn three. Jeff’s front tire was even with Aaron’s back tire. In the middle of turn three Jeff pulled up even and coming out of four they were side by side. . The #72 twitched just a little exiting four and the JW Racing Ford pulled in front and won by the length of the truck.
Jeff said, "it was great winning at Mesa Marin in front of so many cheering fans. Racing Aaron is always fun and you know he will never give it up easy. My crew and the crew of the #22 truck worked hard for me in the hot sun all day and without them this would not have happened. I am so happy to win this great event, and have a Ford win the 90th Birthday Celebration for Jim Burke Ford.
It was great to put this Big Tex Trailer, www.americanshine.com Ford in the winner circle. Thanks to those who support us.
