BF's BS
By Bill Foland
Mountain View, CA. 05/11/03
Before I get started, I just want to thank everybody that has asked me when I am going to write another column because it FINALLY has inspired me to write once again. I have been going through some very rough times as of late. I have had some health problems, some personal problems, problems getting my race car back out on the track and just have not been able to muster up enough to be able to write a new column so here goes.
With the new season in full swing, the sure winner as of late has been RAIN!!!!!!! There have been probably more rainouts across the country already this year than there was all of last year. But this past weekend the Golden State Challenge series was able to run the most prestigious race of the year, the annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial. It is hard to believe that Jr. has been gone for over 15 years. I was at Skagit the night that Jr. was killed and it sure doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we lost a truly great man, husband, racer and friend. We still miss that smile and laugh that would come from the man that drove the familiar #3.
This year's edition of the race had just about everything that you might want to see at the races and then some. I have to first start out by saying that the Hoser's from Hoserville really stepped up in a big way by giving away a Right Rear tire and a front wing to the winner's of the four heat races. If you get a chance at the races to see any of these people associated with Hoservilleca.com make sure to take the time to thank them for their efforts, it was truly above and beyond their duty. You guys all know who you are, but whether it was Mike, Rich, Chuck or the one and only TopWing, I told you at the races but I will say it again here that the racers really appreciated everything that you did at the Bradway race. Dave and Diane Durica also need to take some credit home for raising the lap money as well as Tom Rolfe, Taylor Wings, Scribner Engineering and Padjen Motorsports.
The first heat was picked off by Craig Stidham with a high side pass of Brad Furr late in the race to pick up the first Tire and Wing. The 2nd heat race went to Brent Kaeding after starting on the pole when Nick Rescino Jr. spun before the start of the heat race. The 3rd heat race was led by Chad Riolo until "The Weapon" Wayne Williams found a sweet spot and drove by and proceeded to walk off with his first heat race win of the year. The 4th and final heat race went to Canadian Jimmy Carter who was very happy to receive the Tire and wing. Also to go along with the prizes for winning the heat races was a plaque from the Hoser's which was also a very nice gesture. Handing out the Prizes on the front stretch was none other than former Bayland's head man Dave Vodden.
The Main Event provided some great action for most of the night on the very slick but wide racing surface. Doug Lippincott provided some great bonzai moves that Jr. would have been proud of. Lippincott was able to dive bomb Jon Allard on a couple different occasions before Allard was able to get by for the final time on lap 7 and sailed off to a comfortable victory and Rick Wright's 3rd consecutive Bradway win. Tim Kaeding also was able to pass Lippincott but Doug returned the favor the next corner. Some early fireworks came to the speedway when on lap 23, contact between Jason Meyers and GSRS point leader Tim Kaeding sent the Cowan 7T over the edge of the track with severe front end damage and a very upset Tim Kaeding coming back to the racing surface for some choice words and some target practice with his steering wheel and helmet towards the Elite racing #1. Eventually cooler heads prevailed and Tim was set down to last on the night and Meyers loaded up quickly and headed home without further incident. It is too bad that something like that had to happen on a great night of racing, but that is part of racing and I am sure that it will happen again. Congrats to the entire Wright One Construction team on their big win after spending the better part of the last month traveling with the WoO and they will return to the road later in the year to try it again.
Following Allard across the line was Lippincott, Meyers, 17th starting Brad Furr and Craig Stidham. The next few weeks will prove crucial in the GSRS as the teams go to Watsonville, then their only appearances at the big ½ mile in Calistoga. Usually this separates the contenders from the pretenders as the title is still up for grabs between many driver's. Tire wear has been a factor as of late with Chico being very slick, Tulare taking rubber the last race and Calistoga coming up.
B.F.'s Notes: ...Jeff Shepard and Paul McMahan have switched rides and so far it looks like it has been good for all parties involved…Dennis Moore Jr. has shown his muscle so far this year with a win at Chico and Tulare to go along with very consistent finishes…Blake Robertson has settled in the McMillen 10 rather well with some strong runs at Chico and Tulare…Peter Murphy looks like he landed a ride at Skagit and should be a factor when the Dirt Cup comes around in June…Congrats to Damion Gardner on being named the #1 non-wing driver in the Sprint Car Poll…Danny Lasoski has been red hot as of late as rumors of traction control have been swirling the past several weeks…Cris Eash has won 3 Features already this year…Lance Dewease looks to have another stellar year going even with all the rainouts…Craig Dollansky has turned into one of the most consistent driver's in the country…Joey Saldana has finally broken into victory lane with the WoO…Chuck Gurney Jr. has really stepped up his game this year in the CRV Racing #83 in Cali 360 action…J.J. Yeley looks to be a contender to win all three USAC Divisions. That is all I have for this time, stay tuned for the next exciting edition of B.F.'s BS coming to a website near you. BF
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