By Robert Haugh
March 19, 2011, Bakersfield, CA
Working her way around a slippery track in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen claimed a very respectable ninth place feature finish on Saturday, March 19 in the $2,000-to-win “Battle at the Beach” inaugural VRA Midget series race at the 1/5-mile Ventura Raceway against a stellar 27-car field.
After drawing the highest number in the pill draw, McQueen started sixth in her Heat, where she initially raced to second, but the start was rescinded due to a spinning car. After getting bottled up behind a slower car on the second start, McQueen methodically chauffeured her way up to fourth place, transferring directly to the evening’s feature.
Learning the mandated hard compound VRA series Hoosier Right Rear tire and Hoosier Focus compound Left Rear tire, McQueen and her diligent crew decided that the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger was too tight on entry and lacked side bite in the corner, making the necessary adjustments for the Feature.
Starting 13th in the feature, in which rain was falling during the first 10 laps, McQueen’s veteran prowess led her to coming home ninth as the checkers flew in the 30-lap feature.
“The car did what we asked it to do, we wanted the car to come in at lap 15 to be fast at the end. We lost the track the first 10 laps … we were tight the next 15 as expected and the car came in with five to go and we were one of the fastest cars on the track,” stated McQueen after the feature.
After two strong runs to open the season, Shannon leads both the BCRA and USAC-Western States points. Next up for McQueen Racing is the Saturday, April 9 BCRA race at the ¼-mile Placerville Speedway.
McQueen Racing would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, Ruth Engineering, American Fabrication and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
March 19, 2011 – Ventura, California – Ventura Raceway – “All-Coast Challenge #1”
Summary:
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 4. Shannon McQueen
FEATURE: (30 laps) 9. Shannon McQueen