By Robert Haugh
Piloting the McQueen/Eskesen/Rescino Racing #7 Beast/Mopar, Bakersfield’s Shannon claimed rebounded from a Lap 18 incident with a lapped car to claim fourth-place run in the USAC-Western States Midget feature at the Harvest Classic at 1/3-mile Madera Speedway on September 15.
After starting 11th in the feature, McQueen methodically picked off cars, moving into fourth by Lap 10 and began running down the leaders. While overtaking a lapped car, the lapped car turned into McQueen’s mount from the outside in Turns 3 and 4, spinning McQueen out and relegating her to restart last in twelfth after a caution.
With a dozen laps remaining, McQueen quickly moved back into fourth but ran out of time to reel in the leaders in the 30-lap feature.
Struggling with setup all weekend, the car was a snug in the center of the corner in qualifying; therefore McQueen didn’t qualify well, settling for sixth-fast time. After making a spring change, Shannon drove a much-better handling car to the 8-lap Heat win from the pole.
“We struggled with our pavement program and are glad to have brought home a Top 5 to conclude the pavement portion of the schedule. We are looking forward to the home stretch final four races, especially this coming weekend’s race at out home track of Bakersfield Speedway,” says McQueen, adding “I am grateful for the opportunity Paul gave me for the year, as we would not be where we are in the points without that opportunity.”
McQueen carries a 150-point USAC-Western States Midget points lead with four races remaining, all on Dirt, heading into her next event, Saturday, September 22 at the 1/3-mile Bakersfield Speedway where she will be piloting the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger.
McQueen Racing now focuses on four Dirt races, where they hope to gain on David Prickett, who leads McQueen by 30 points in the Dirt series standings. Following Saturday’s Bakersfield event, there is one race at Petaluma Speedway and Route 66 raceway in Victorville followed by the 72nd Annual Turkey Nite Midget Grand Prix at Perris Auto Speedway.
McQueen has amassed four Heat race wins, nine Top 5 runs and 12 Top 10s on the year. McQueen Racing also boasts a feature win with Michelle Decker in April at Bakersfield Speedway.
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, MPD, 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: 6. McQueen, 14.207
HEAT: (8 laps): 1. McQueen
FEATURE: (30 laps) 4. McQueen
Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.