By Bill Sullivan, Racing for the Troops
PLACERVILLE, CA – For Elk Grove’s Bobby McMahan, returning to Placerville Speedway in a 410 cubic inch powered sprint car mirrors a professional quarter-back returning to his Alma mater for a Friday night high school game where he is welcomed with open arms to the place where his successful career was berthed. For McMahan, racing was his sport growing up and Placerville was his arena when he was just 16 years old. Saturday night he had the pleasure of returning to the podium at the place his sprint car racing career was born and where the fans love to see him.
“It’s always special to come back to this place, this where I first strapped into a sprint car and it’s where I learned how to become successful in this sport,” said McMahan, who finished third in Saturday’s Golden State Challenge Series event. “It’s even better to come here and do well like we did tonight in a 410. This place is really special to me. It’s close to home and close to my heart.”
Saturday night, McMahan was the sole representative of the Steve Harris-Racing for the Troops sprint car team based in West Sacramento. Originally both McMahan and his teammate Kyle Harris were slated to compete together in the Golden State Series opener but a late week decision sent the two opposite directions for the night as Harris chose to race a 360 car at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico.
“We just couldn’t make our minds up this week until the last minute,” said McMahan. “Kyle went up to Chico Friday night and decided to run the whole two day show we packed up the small trailer with everything we needed and headed to Placerville. I knew I was going to race here regardless and I’m glad I made that decision.”
When he competes with the Golden State Challenge Series, McMahan is in his comfort zone. While he enjoys racing various venues including 360 cubic inch powered cars, wingless sprints and an occasional venture to the likes of asphalt open wheel racing the former Northern Auto Racing Club Speedweek champion is at home when he has the hefty horsepower in a winged machine on dirt.
Saturday night at Placerville Speedway McMahan joined the likes of King of California champions Brent Kaeding, Jonathan Allard and Jason Statler on the famous red clay at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. From the first green flag, the night was one of success for McMahan.
In qualifying, McMahan was one of two drivers with the fastest time of the night, a 10.140 second lap. McMahan carried that momentum into the preliminary heat race as well as the dash where he finished second in each event. The bridesmaid finish in the dash placed McMahan on the outside of the front row for the start of the 30-lap feature event.
With the waving of the green flag McMahan went to work between two series champions, Allard started on the pole while Kaeding started in third place. Kaeding found his way around McMahan and the three veterans raced their way into lapped traffic early in the race. When the checkered flag waved Allard and Kaeding were followed across the line by McMahan.
“I’d like to get a win here, but finishing behind the two former King of California Champions isn’t too bad when you look at it,” said McMahan.”I really missing racing with the GSC so we’re hoping to be out here as much as possible this year.”
While McMahan had a strong night of racing, Harris was not quite as fortunate in the Chico Silver Cup. An abundance of cars were in competition seeking a start in the feature event. On Friday night Harris finished the night with an 8th place finish in the B feature after driving to 6th in his heat race. On Saturday night his night ended with an 8th place finish in the B-main.
This week both McMahan and Harris are tentatively planning to return to Silver Dollar Speedway for the first Friday night point race of the season. The duo will likely be joined by the third member of their team, Sean Becker of Antelope, as they all compete together for the first time at the track that crowned McMahan as the champion last season. On Saturday the Golden State Challenge Series will likely be their destination as it competes at Antioch Speedway.
“That’s the plan for now, ” said McMahan. “We really want get back to Chico to pay tribute to Steve since we are the defending champions there so Friday night might be the time and then we are looking at Antioch on Saturday.”
Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, Simpson Race Products and Redline Oil.
The team is proud to continue it’s support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America’s active military, veterans and their families. They invite all the race fans to their pit area following the races where both McMahan and Harris will have new t-shirts for sale. They look forward to meeting fans of all ages. You can earn more about the team’s mission by visiting their website at www.racingforthetroops.com.