By Robert Haugh
Cautiously avoiding over-aggressive drivers, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen finessed the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger to a podium third-place run in the stellar 21-car USAC-Western States field at the 1/3-mile Santa Maria Speedway on Saturday, May 12.
Having started fourth on the grid, McQueen fell to fifth early, but clawed back to third by the halfway point, coming home third behind only Brad Kuhn and Jake Swanson.
McQueen claimed third in Heat 2 after jumping from sixth to third early. McQueen was nearly displaced from the track by an over aggressive driver, however rebounded to take third at the line.
McQueen clocked the third fastest time, at15.45, less than one tenth off Kuhn’s fast time of 15.37, despite battling a very hard, dry slick, deteriorating track in qualifying. McQueen was the only one near the end of the qualifying line to time within a half second of fast time.
Next up for McQueen Racing is the May 19 USAC-Western States event the 3/8-mile King’s Speedway in Hanford.
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.
SUMMARY:
QUALIFICATIONS: 3. McQueen, 15.45
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 3. McQueen
FEATURE: (30 laps) 3. McQueen
Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.