Kaeding looks for bonus at Calistoga Speedway

Bud Kaeding. (Chuck Fry Photo)

Bud Kaeding. (Chuck Fry Photo)
Bud Kaeding. (Chuck Fry Photo)
From Gary Thomas

Calistoga, CA – (June 3, 2015) — After winning the prestigious Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial in May Campbell, CA’s Bud Kaeding will be gunning to take home a special $500 bonus offered up by HMC Promotions, if he can also claim the upcoming Wine Country Classic at Calistoga Speedway on June 27.

Prior to the Bradway Memorial in Chico on May 2, HMC Promotions offered up the special bonus to a driver if they could win both events. That night saw Kaeding set fast time, win the dash and then go on to score victory in the 40-lap feature. The three-time USAC National Silver Crown champ now has the chance to go for the extra $500 at the Wine Country Classic in Calistoga on Saturday June 27.

In his career Kaeding has won twice at the historic half-mile, once with the King of the West 410 Series & once with the USAC/CRA Wingless 410’s on opening night of the Vermeil Classic in 2013.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back to Calistoga for the King of the West event on June 27,” said Kaeding, who currently leads the series standings while driving the famed Williams Motorsports 0 Sprinter. “Having the bonus up for grabs is a nice incentive. I’ve been fortunate to win a couple of races at Calistoga in my career, as well as a couple of track championships. The work they have put into the place over the last few years has been great to see and it’s really made it one of the best tracks we go to. We hope all the fans will come out and support the show. If you haven’t been to Calistoga in a while, this is a perfect chance to check it out.”

Over the last couple years Calistoga Speedway has seen a total transformation, with immense work going on at one of California’s most famous dirt ovals. In addition to the various facility upgrades that include a new catch fence all the way around the track, a booming new sound system & new scoreboards, lots of work went into the racing surface, which is now wider and features a better degree of banking, with smoother transitions into the corners. The racing has benefited and has been given a big thumbs-up by all involved.

In the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series’ Wine Country Classic last season local favorite Rico Abreu from Rutherford scored the popular victory. Even more track work had gone on prior to the event and what transpired was some of the best Winged Sprint Car racing seen at Calistoga. Passing was prevalent all night long and Abreu captured a great main event over Chico’s Jonathan Allard & eventual KWS champion Kyle Hirst of Chico. Bud Kaeding started on the pole and led the first 13-laps, before coming home in fourth at the conclusion. Abreu is set to compete at the event once again on June 27 looking to add another Calistoga trophy to his mantle.

In addition to the King of the West 410 Sprints on June 27, the Wingless Sprint Car Series presented by Joe Hunt Magnetos will also be in action. The Hunt Series made its Calistoga Speedway debut in April and put on a tremendous show in the main event, which was ultimately captured by Colton Slack of Brentwood. Local driver Joe Stornetta from Napa came home in second, followed by Klint Simpson of Santa Rosa in third. Terry Shank Jr. also from Santa Rosa led the early laps and finished fourth. A great back and forth battle was seen for the lead, with much of the same expected at the Wine Country Classic.

Tickets are on sale for the Wine Country Classic on June 27 and can be purchased by contacting (916) 773-7225. Adult Reserved Tickets cost $30, with Adult General Admission Tickets $25. Children 6-12 are $10 with kids 5 & under free. Hotel Info: The Sandman Inn / Santa Rosa located at 3421 Cleveland Ave. 95403. Phone Number 707-293-2100. Must Mention CALI15 / Calistoga Speedway for an $85.00 rate.

The Calistoga Speedway is located on the scenic Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga, California at 1435 North Oak Street and has been in existence since 1937. For more information on the half-mile log onto http://www.calistogaspeedway.org and for history visit Bobby Gerould’s Hammerdown USA at http://www.hammerdownusa.com/Calistogacareerwins.html

The Calistoga event is part of a big weekend for the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series that includes the Pombo/Sargent Classic at Ocean Speedway the night before on June 26. The weekend as whole is also part of a Prentice Motorsports Group Double Down Bonus Weekend. If a driver wins both Friday in Watsonville & Saturday in Calistoga they will be awarded an extra $3000 bonus. Therefore if a driver sweeps the weekend they have the ability to go home with $9,000. Be sure and make plans for what looks to be a great weekend of Sprint Car racing, which will be capped at the World’s Most Beautiful Dirt Track