By Robert Haugh
Though producing less-then-expected results, Shannon McQueen kicked off the 2012 racing season with a Top 10 run at the ¼-mile Silver Dollar Speedway as part of the Mini Gold Cup in Chico, CA.
Excited at kicking off the season in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger at the famed Silver Dollar Speedway where she holds the track record, McQueen was strong in Hot Laps and was hoping for a chance at lowering that track record. Moments before the Midgets began qualifying, the water truck hit the track, drenching the oval. Being the first Midget to qualify, Shannon struggled on the suddenly watered-down track, limping the car around for a poor lap given the track changes with no notice.
Quickly rebounding, McQueen vaulted ahead of her competitors in Heat 1, claiming Heat 1 from the pole position, leading every lap, finishing ahead of feature winner Ryan Bernal.
Lining up for the feature in the 13th position, McQueen finessed her way into the Top 10, reaching 7th before encountering over-aggressive drivers, eventually coming home 10th, a respectable Top 10 run on the less-than-stellar rubber down track – most tires becoming bald, with many teams having perhaps one lap left on the worn tires.
Next up for McQueen Racing is the 100-lap Gerhardt Classic at the recently revamped 1/3-mile Madera Speedway. Shannon will be chauffering Paul Eskesen’s #10c Beast/Mopar, contending for the USAC-Western States Midget championship.
McQueen Racing would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Rod End Supply, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, Ruth Engineering, Jet-Hot Performance Coatings, Butler Built Seating Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, American Fabrication, West Evans Motorsports and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.