The Jim Pettit Racing/HotWood Ford started in the 17th position at the Coors Light 125 in El Cajon Saturday night. Pettit who has enjoyed being able to qualify up front in first three races of the series, found himself re-living memories from years past. With less than 2 tenths separating the fast time of Burney Lamar to the last qualifier in the 18th position, Travis Bennet, there was no room for imperfection. The #03 battled to a top 10 finish. Crew Chief, Duane Sharp is known to give a little for qualifying to help the car out in the main event. The team knew before the start of the race, that if anyone in the field could come from the back it would be Pettit.
Pettit immediately began to work around traffic but found it difficult after realizing he did not have radio communications with his team. When the caution flew for #62 of Eric Holmes, he had lost power on Lap 38. Jim was able to remedy the problem and start his pursuit to the front from 18th position. It was follow-the-leader until Lap 64 when the #7 of Bennett got into the #34 of Doug McCoun to bring out the caution and end his night. Jim was now in the 16th position where he stayed until Lap 82 when the #29, Lynch, got spun in Turn 2 and collected 5 other drivers. Pettit pulled an incredible move and managed to avoid the whole thing. Cars were collected right in front and behind of the #03 but the crafty veteran came out unscathed. Restarting in the 9th position things looked better for the #03 team. The last major caution flew when the #88 of Gilliland drove deep into 3 making contact with the #1 of Lamar and spinning him right in front of Pettit. Jim’s Turn 3 and 4 spotter made the call of the night to guide the #03 through the smoke screen safely out of Turn 4. NASCAR made the call to put the #19 of McKean in front of the #03 for the restart on Lap 107. Jimmy worked past McKean before the last yellow and the eventual end of the race.
Pettit battled for 125 laps through five cautions to finish
the night in the 7th position and carry a 20-point lead into
Stockton on May 8th. The race saw Seifert the eventual winner
take the lead coming out of Turn 2 on the opening lap with
the #5 of Joe Herold on his bumper where he would stay all
night. Pettit brought the #03 home in 7th and was happy to
survive the crash laden event. He knew that it could have
been better for the veteran team, but it could have easily
been worse. The next stop will be right in Pettit’s backyard
at Stockton 99 where he picked up his first series win last
year. The Jim Pettit Racing team thanks their sponsors, fans
and family for their continued support.
