From JAK Media, photo courtesy of Baron Media
American Bud Kaeding added his name to the record books with a stunning victory against a world-class field in the inaugural Capalaba Wreckers Sprintcar Cup at Titan Garages Brisbane International Speedway (BIS) on Wednesday night January 6.
Kaeding, who also won the International Sprintcar Series event at BIS on January 1, ran down race leader James McFadden on lap seven of the thirty-five lap Feature event and from there simply drove away from the field to score a $10,000 pay day. Kaeding’s winning margin was close to six seconds over Max Dumesny with Brooke Tatnell, Jason Johnson and Garry Brazier completing the top five after a torrid battle between those four over the last half of the race.
Race favourite Donny Schatz had a forgettable night at the track, firstly failing to finish his second qualifying Heat race after a flat right front tyre almost put him into the turn three wall and then a rare, uncharacteristic mistake by the World Of Outlaws Champion while on a charge through the field during the Feature had him riding the front straight wall and almost flipping the #2 Pick N Payless J&J.
Although Schatz did not finish the event, one gets the feeling that the DNF against his name will only steel him even more for Round 9 of the Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars Championship and fifty lap, $20,000 to win Titan Garages Australian Sprintcar Open at the Archerfield raceway on Friday and Saturday night, an event he is chasing a hat-trick of wins in.
The race was slowed or stopped on three occasions for Robbie Farr who was out on lap one after contact with the back straight and turn three walls, for Brent Kaeding and Bryan Mann who come together exiting turn four and also for Kerry Madsen who flipped in turn four early in the race.
Keading’s victory was almost one half of an unprecedented double, with Bud coming from the rear of the pack to second place behind race leader Nathan Smee during the twenty lap Midget Feature before he jumped the cushion and almost spun the #91 Spike/Brayton, causing the yellow lights to come on prematurely.
Kaeding eventually finished third behind Grant Draney and John Davidson in his quest to become the first man to ever win both the Sprintcar and Midget Feature races on the one program at Brisbane International Speedway during its thirty years of operation. Smee, chasing a hat-trick of wins at BIS this season, spun the #25 American Tire and Racing Services Spike/Esslinger on lap eighteen while leading and eventually finished back in eighth spot.
Sprint Car Feature: 1. USA29 – Bud Kaeding, 2. V5 – Max Dumesny, 3. W2 – Brooke Tatnell, 4. NQ47 – Jason Johnson, 5. A1 – Garry Brazier, 6. W25 – James McFadden, 7. W95 – Ryan Farrell, 8. USA4 – Danny Smith, 9. Q29 – Dave Murcott, 10. Q18 – David Muir, 11. Q68 – Cameron Gessner, 12. Q25 – Andrew Scheuerle, 13. Q2 – Todd Wanless DNF: USA2 – Donny Schatz, Q16 – Bryan Mann, W92 – Kerry Madsen, USA69 – Brent Kaeding, Q7 – Robbie Farr
Midget Car Feature: 1. 67 – Grant Draney, 2. 24 – John Davidson, 3. 91 – Bud Kaeding, 4. 92 – Brock Dean, 5. 19 – Darren Vine, 6. Q5 – Adam Wallis, 7. 98 – Matt Greenwood, 8. N25 – Nathan Smee, 9. 55 – Brad Sloan. DNF: 88 – Scott Jeynes, 70 – Mike Rinkin, 96 – Chris Singleton, 10 – Vaughan Bryce, 6 – Jeremy Hassell, Q25 – Anthony Chaffey, 9 – Doug Cavell, S5 – John MacKay, 76 – Keith Giles