Meyers is a Hit at Tulare, Can He Stay On Top of the Charts? By Bobby Gerould (Tulare, CA. 11-26-02) … In 2002, there have been three Winged 410 Sprint Car races at the Tulare Thunderbowl so far. The same driver won all three races. However, the most recent race was five months ago on June 29th. Like the pop charts, five months can be an eternity in sprint car racing. So will Jason Meyers still be in a groove?
Clovis, California's Jason Meyers (23), who spent 2001 on 'tour' racing against the world's best sprint car drivers on the World of Outlaws series, learned firsthand how the best teams in the business operate. He parlayed that knowledge into domination of his California peers at the three Thunderbowl Winged 410 Sprint Car races held this season. Meyers who returned home to racing in the Golden State this season swept the three feature events, leaving him 'unbeaten' at the Thunderbowl. Maintaining that unbeaten status may be difficult as Meyers joins 37 pre-entered drivers for Friday's Fan Appreciation races at the ultra fast, high-banked 1/3 mile oval located on the Tulare Fairgrounds.
Now again, Meyers will have to beat his fellow stars of California, a hit parade of drivers so talented they could match up well against any competition. There's the Kaedings, Brent and Tim. Brent has won more 410 races at the Thunderbowl than any driver entered. Brent's eight wins are easily tops, but the elder Kaeding hasn't claimed a checkered flag at the Thunderbowl in the past two seasons. Brent's son, Tim is currently the hottest driver in California, winning the 2002 Golden State Challenge, 'King of California' crown, along with the Trophy Cup. Tim ran a strong second to Steve Kinser in the Gold Cup, and also won the last 410 meeting in California, Hanford's Cotton Classic.
Steve Kent has to be considered a threat to make Meyers skip a beat. The two-time Golden State champion will be back in Roger Henderson's potent #7n. Tommy Tarlton, a two-time track champion at the Thunderbowl is also ready for a strong showing. Add in potential aces, Blake Robertson, Brian Coelho, Mike Faria, Kevin Pylant, Jason Statler, Andy Forsberg, and Ricci Faria and you have a gang of drivers from the Westside that can challenge Meyers.
Washington is sending a strong crew with Kasey Kahne, and Jason Solwold heading a list of four Northwest pilots. Iowa Hawkeye, Dennis Moore Jr., Nevada's Doug Lippincott, and Arizona gassers Steve Cushman, and Steve Stone will also throw down. But the out-of-staters getting the most airplay on Meyer's hitlist are World of Outlaws stars, Danny Lasoski of Missouri, and Indiana's Joey Saldana.
Meyers acknowledges that the regional heatseekers are requesting a new tune at Tulare. "Yes there is going to be some heavy hitters, but we've beaten them before and we can beat them again. I don't want to sound arrogant but I have to have that mindset. Danny (Lasoski) and Joey (Saldana) are gonna be tough. Danny was here last year and was real good. They will be the guys to beat this weekend, but at the same time I think we will be the guys to beat too."
Meyers is equally excited about trying a few new ideas on his 800 horsepower sprint car at Tulare. "We'll try some new stuff, but you don't want to shake the bag too much. We will work with Elite Landscaping in 2003, and they will be with us Friday." He adds, "They are great people, and I'm really excited to be associated with them."
Lasoski, who last week was invited to join fellow sprint car hero Steve Kinser for a gig in the 2003 IROC Series, will race a sprinter owned by Dennis Roth of Fresno. Last year, the two teamed up to defeat a strong field of teams at Tulare's late season event.
Saldana will drive Rick Wright's #35 after all. While it was previously reported that Saldana would race a BR MotorSports entry, he is now listed back in the Wright One Construction #35. That car carried Tim Kaeding to the 2002 Golden State championship. At the Thunderbowl, not only Wright's crew but also members of Joey's World of Outlaws team will assist. The Indiana native is making only his third career start at the track. Recently filed entries for the Friday night races have come in from Chad Riolo of Roseville, California, and Steve Cushman of Mesa, Arizona.
The Friday evening races serve as a tune up for Bakersfield Speedway's $40,000 single night show 24 hours later. The weekend of winged sprint car racing offers over $58,000 to competitors. Last place in the Feature at Tulare will pay $400, and it will be bumped to $600 at Bakersfield.
World Champion drag racer, Gary Scelzi will add spice to the Fan Appreciation races at Tulare's Thunderbowl Raceway, the day after Thanksgiving. Scelzi will serve as Grand Marshall and honorary starter.
Number of Thunderbowl 410 Winged Wins:
- Brent Kaeding 8
- Steve Kent 3
- Jason Meyers 3
- Blake Robertson 2
- Randy Hannagan 2
- Tim Kaeding 1
- Eric Rossi 1
- Glen Boune 1
- Peter Murphy 1
- Tommy Tarlton 1
- Jason Lund 1
- Danny Lasoski 1
- Jac Haudenschild 1
- Randy Tiner 1
Business involvement, Public Relations: ThanksgivingTulare@Hotmail.com
Tickets: (559) 688-0909 …$20 for main grandstand. $15 for bleachers. $10 for kids 7-12 years old. Kids under 6 are free!
Grand Marshall: Gary Scelzi - NHRA World Champion, drag racer.
Hotel Info: The Holiday Inn Select in Bakersfield is the official Race Headquarters. Either November 29th or 30th, 2002. Holiday Inn Select - Bakersfield -$65 Racer's Rate for Friday, and or Saturday Nights - Call (661)-323-1900 - ask for Reservations - tell them you are with Bakersfield Speedway.
Who: Winged Sprint Cars, 1,200 lbs., 800 horsepower.
What: Tulare Thunderbowl Fan Appreciation Races
Where: Tulare Thunderbowl, at the Tulare County Fairgrounds in Tulare, California. Near Highway 99.
When: November 29, 2002. Festivities start at Noon.
What Else? · Top Eight qualifiers will receive $50 certificates toward parts at B&B Oval Track Products. · Exclusive Collector's Edition HammerDown! Race Program numbered only to 250.
Vendor Fair: Starts at noon Friday. · Race Cars on display in parking lot from Noon-3pm. · Kettle Corn. · 104.9 FM - "The Z" doing remote radio broadcast from the track. · HammerDown! Race Gear selling T-shirts and Beanies. · 2003 Sprint Car Calendars · Thunderhead apparel. · Bad Attitude T-shirts
Official Pre Entry List - Fan Appreciation Races, Tulare, California. 11/29/02
As of November 25, 2002.
# Driver Name - Hometown - Car Owner
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