From Peterson Media
Returning to the cockpit of his Holey Smokes BBQ/Christian Stover Foundation/ButlerBuilt No.29 following a wrist injury, Willie Croft’s return was spoiled early in the feature on Saturday night as he broke a rear-end, and was sidelined.
Timing in 17th fastest during qualifications, Croft was the odd-man out of the inversion, and found himself starting in the third row of heat one.
Croft got into a torrid battle with Steven Tiner, for the fifth and final transfer spot directly into the feature event, but Tiner was able to hold off Croft and his Brown and Miller/Sander Engineering/FK Rod Ends machine and the veteran driver was forced to run through the B main event for a final shot at making the feature event.
In the B, Croft cruised to the victory, and got his qualifying time back, and lined up for the 30-lap feature event in the 15th spot.
The feature event got off to a wild start that saw numerous cautions and stoppages before the race got a lap in. One of the stoppages happened in front of Croft, as Stephen Allard got upside down.
On the ensuing restart, Croft brought out a yellow as he came to a stop in turn four, with a right front tire that was flat, which may have been from the accident that happened in front of him.
Making the repairs in the pit area, Croft was able to restart from the back of the pack, but it would ultimately be short lived.
With the race getting back underway, the Sacramento, CA driver came to a stop again on the sixth lap, this time with rear-end issues, and his night was over on the sixth lap.
“It was nice getting back in the car,” Croft said. “Everything felt good, I just wish we could have had some better luck. I have to thank everyone for all of their help getting us back on the track after the flat, and the guys who helped this weekend. We will be back for Trophy Cup, and will have Zimmerly with us as a teammate.”
Willie Croft Racing would like to thank Holey Smokes BBQ, The Christian Stover
Foundation, ButlerBuilt , Brown and Miller, Sander Engineering, FK Rod Ends, Hinchman Indy, Schoenfeld, K&N, Smith Precision Products, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Shark Racing Engines, A.R.T., M.R.O. Industrial Supply, Redline Oil, Kaeding Performance, PaPa’s Beef Jerky, Dan Olson Products, Vortex Wings, AIC Powdercoating, Les Schwab, and GUTS for their support in 2012.
ON TAP: Willie Croft will now be back in action this weekend at the Tulare Thunderbowl for the 19th Annual Trophy Cup.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected with Willie Croft Racing by visiting www.williecroftracing.com. Also, if you are a professional or own a business, connect with Zach on Bizbuilt by clicking over to www.bizbuilt.com/ZZR.