PETERSEN MEDIA
– Electing to take last week off to regroup and put together a new car benefitted the Monte Motorsports/Monster Energy team, as Shane Stewart returned to action with the World Series Sprint Car Series and pocketed a pair of top five finishes over the weekend.
“Our results haven’t been horrible all year but, they haven’t been up to our standards as a team,” Stewart said. “We hit the drawing board, and took a week off, and I think we are on to something.”
Kicking off on Friday night, Stewart timed his Monster Energy/Milwaukee Tools/GearWrench No.7 machine in with the fastest lap during time trials, putting him in the first heat.
Starting 10th, Stewart worked himself to the sixth spot, and earned a spot in the opening night feature, where he would start in the fourth position.
The start of the race saw Stewart get by Roddy Bellbowen for the third spot, aboard his Prosser Toyota/KRE Engines/Lucas Oil backed entry, as he chased down the lead duo of Jason Sides, and Jason Johnson.
Running in the third spot, Stewart didn’t seem to have anything for the leaders, as they kept distance between themselves and Stewart. As they began racing each-other, late in the race, Stewart was able to close the gap, but ended the night in the third spot.
Returning to action on Saturday night, Stewart sat very well in weekend points, and found himself in the second heat, where he started dead last. Getting his elbows up, the American driver worked his way up to the third spot, before winning the fifth heat from the front row, and putting himself in the second row of the feature event.
Falling into the fourth spot when the race went green, Stewart hounded fellow American drivers Daryn Pitman, Jason Johnson, and Jason Sides, as the four distanced themselves from the field.
Working the low side of the speedway, Stewart tried to work his way back on to the podium, but came up just short and ended up fourth.
“It was a much better weekend for our team, and hopefully we can hit our stride this week at the Presidents Cup and then The Classic,” Stewart said. “My guys continue to work hard, and I’d like to reward them with a few wins.”
Following this weekends action, Stewart has propelled himself to third in WSS Championship standings.
Shane and his Monte Motorsports team thank Monster Energy, Milwaukee, GearWrench, Prosser Toyota, KRE Engines, Lucas Oil Products, Factory Kahne Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Miracle Recreation Equipment, Mahle Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, OGIO, GoPro, and DC Shoes.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS- Starts-6, Wins-0, Top 5’s-3, Top 10’s-4.
ON TAP: Shane and the Monte Motorsports team will be in action in Adelaide on the 23rd for the Preisdents Cup, before heading to Warnambool this weekend for The Grand Annual Classic.
Shane Stewart’s Down Under Tour Schedule-
January
23rd Presidents Cup Avalon Raceway, Greelong
26th Grand Classic Premier Speedway, Warnambool
27th Grand Classic Premier Speedway, Warnambool
February
2nd WSS #10 Speedway City, Adelaide
8th WSS #11 Manjimup Speedway, Manjimup, WA
9th WSS #12 Attwell Park Speedway, Albany WA
15th WSS #13 Bunbury Speedway, Bunbury WA
16th WSS #14 Bunbury Speedway, Bunbury WA
22nd WSS #15 Perth Motorplex, Kwinana WA
23rd WSS #16 Perth Motorplex, Kwinana WA
March
2nd Krikke Boys Bunbury Speedway, Bunbury WA
3rd Krikke Boys Bunbury Speedway, Bunbruy WA
9th General 25 Perth Motorplex, Kwinana WA
15th Darley Challenge Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
16th Darley Challenge Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
23rd TBA
29th Easter Trail Maryborough Speedway, QLD
30th Easter Trail Archerfield Speedway, Brisbane
31st Easter Trail Charlton Raceway, Toowoomba
STAY CONNECTED: For all of the latest news on Shane Stewart visit his website at www.shanestewart.com,become a fan of his on facebook at www.facebook.com/