BAKERSFIELD, California -- Mesa Marin Raceway hosted their first ever SRL Wild West Shootout event last night on there fast high-banked half mile race track. Bakersfield’s own Craig Raudman crossed the finish line first ahead of 26 other competitors to win the HPS Mechanical/Victory Circle Chassis and Parts 100.
“Anytime you win it is big, but when you win in your hometown and your car owner sponsors the race then it is really big. This is why he puts so much time and money into racing.” Raudman said.
Craig Raudman also set quick time during qualifying. Raudman stopped the clock with a lap of 18.587 seconds. Bakersfield Kevin Vernon was second quick, as he ran a lap of 18.753 seconds. 2003 SRL Rookie of the Year Ryan Foster ran 18.803 to qualify third. Ken Boyd qualified fourth with a 18.930 second lap. Rick Ruzbarsky qualified fifth, as he turned a lap of 18.947 seconds.
An eight car invert placed Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year contender Eric Schmidt on the inside of the front row, along with 2002 Series Champion Jeff Anthony. Schmidt jumped out to an early race lead, as he paced the first 19 circuits, before giving away to Anthony on lap 20. Meanwhile Kevin Vernon and Craig Raudman begin to chase down the race leaders from there row four starting position. Vernon passed Schmidt on lap 21 to take second, as Raudman followed to take third on lap 22. Kevin Vernon made his way around Jeff Anthony to take the lead on lap 28. Lap 32 saw Craig Raudman move around Jeff Anthony for second. Anthony battled back and took second away on lap 37. Raudman and Anthony swapped position four more times before Raudman took second position on lap 44. Raudman has his sights on race leader on Kevin Vernon, as he made the pass for the lead on lap 45. Anthony also slipped passed Vernon to continue to run second.
Ken Boyd from Ceres, California moved into third on lap 45, as Vernon slowed. Rick Ruzbarsky ran fourth and Troy Ermish fifth on lap 52. Ruzbarsky took 3rd away from Boyd on lap 54. Lap 63 Ruzbarsky made his way around Anthony to take second position. Wes Miller drove from his 16th starting position to fifth by lap 76. Raudman continued to lead, Ruzbarsky ran second, Boyd third, and Anthony fourth. Joel Theisen ran sixth after starting 20th. Rookie Mike Mason was seventh, Ryan Foster was eighth, Chris Wadsworth ninth, and Mark Smith rounded out the top ten.
When the Sunoco Checkered Flag waved on lap 100, Craig Raudman crossed the line ahead of Tracy’s Rick Ruzbarsky. “Man these boys had those Hutter and HUR Racing Engines tuned perfect tonight. I gave it all I had in those last 20 laps. We are going to make some small adjustments, and we will better next time we come here. It was a great day for our race teams” Ruzbarsky said.
Ken Boyd finished right behind Ruzbarsky and finished third. “It was real fun out there. It is good to be back at Mesa Marin Raceway. It’s been about 10 years since I last raced here.” Ken Boyd
Jeff Anthony finished fourth, Wes Miller fifth, Ryan Foster sixth, Joel Theisen seventh, rookie Mike Mason eight, Kevin Vernon ninth, and rookie Mark Smith tenth.
Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout returns to action on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at Altamont Motorsports Park.
Average race speed: 68.591 MPH
Margin of Victory: 2.213 seconds
Best lap time: 19.077 Craig Raudman (Lap 81)
Race leaders:
Eric Schmidt 1-19, Jeff Anthony 20-27, Kevin Vernon 28-44, Craig Raudman 45-100
Don’t forget to check out the SRL Wild West Shootout website at: http://www.srllatemodels.com
Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank its 2004 Sponsors, which include: Apex Financial Group, Bassett Racing Wheels, Beam Design, Brodix Inc., Dynatech, Finishline Racing Equipment, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank's Radio, G. P. Fabrication., Hoosier Tire West, Impact Racing, Paul Oil Co., Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit stop usa.com., Print Werx, Sunoco, Total Seal Inc., U. S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and Parts.
