From Gary Thomas, photo courtesy of John’s Racing Photos
Lake Perris, CA – Competing in a trio of high profile USAC events to conclude the 2009 season Campbell, CA’s Bud Kaeding proceeded to get the busy week of racing off to a strong start by charging from 18th to fifth during the finale of the 14th annual Budweiser Oval Nationals on Saturday night at the Perris Auto Speedway.
Kaeding’s most recent event prior to this past weekend was the 16th annual Trophy Cup at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, where be scored an eighth place finish in the overall standings at the event while driving the Sala/Matherly Racing No. 19 sprinter.
Getting back behind the wheel of the BK Motorsports Maxim for the USAC National Sprint Car Series sanctioned Budweiser Oval Nationals Kaeding was able to persevere throughout the weekend and put a strong end to the $12,500 to win event. Opening night on Thursday saw the three-time Oval Nationals champion qualify 31st fastest in the field, but rebound in the heat to finish fourth, before claiming a 14th place result in the main event aboard the Alviso Rock, K&N Filters, Kaeding Performance No. 29.
Coming back for Friday Kaeding improved his qualifying time to 19th fastest overall, but a seventh place finish in the heat and a 10th place effort in the semi-main put an early end to the evening. Looking for much better things on Saturday the 29-year-old driver found himself in the 20-lap semi and was able to move forward in the event to cross the stripe in sixth at the checkered to transfer out and give the High Five Pizza, Swift Metal Finishing, YAK Graphics sprinter an outside row number nine starting position in the A-main.
With a number of drivers being involved in numerous incidents throughout the feature Kaeding used some hard driving and veteran experience to carve his way through the field and after 40-laps of racing brought home a solid fifth place finish. The result in the final night’s main event was very impressive considering the fact that prior to the weekend Kaeding hadn’t made a wingless sprint car start since mid-July. The Campbell racer has finished among the top-10 now in every Oval Nationals main event since 2001, with seven of those eight times being finishes of sixth or better, including five top-five’s and three victories.
With the Oval Nationals completed Kaeding’s attention will now be turned to Thursday’s 34th Copper World Classic at the Phoenix International Raceway, where he will wrap up his third career USAC K&N Silver Crown Series title. With the title already locked up the now three-time Silver Crown champ will look to finish off the season the same way he started it, in victory lane. Despite not winning since that very first race of the year Kaeding’s stout consistency has allowed him to dominate the point chase all season long as he has finished in the top-10 at every event. With a third title under his belt he joins fellow Californian Jimmy Sills as the only two drivers to win the Silver Crown championships on three occasions.
Following the Copper Classic Kaeding and the BK Motorsports team will then travel to the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway for the 30th Pacific Coast Nationals on Saturday and Sunday, which is sanctioned by the USAC National and USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. Tickets for the big two nights of racing will be the same price both days with Reserved Grandstand seats $35 and General Admission Bleacher tickets being $30. Children under 12 will be half-price in the bleachers. The front gate will open at 3pm on Saturday November 14 with wheel packing at 4, qualifying at 5 and first race scheduled for 6. Sunday will see the front gate open at 2pm with wheel packing at 3, qualifying at 4 and first race scheduled for 5.
For more news and information on Campbell, CA’s Bud Kaeding visit http://www.budkaedingracing.com