PETERSEN MEDIA
There are a few races across the country that have eluded Shane Stewart, and the Trophy Cup in Tulare, CA is one of them. Though he has led the points five times heading into the final day, the race eluded him again this year, as he ended up second in overall points after overcoming a late race flip.
Teaming back up with Paul Silva, and piloting the Kick-it/Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation/Lucas Oil Products No.57 car, Stewart kicked off the ultra competitive weekend by timing in second fastest during qualifications against the 85 cars that were checked into the event.
After charging form eighth to third in his heat, Stewart sat second in points heading into the 30-lap preliminary feature event and started 11th due to the 12-car inversion.
Early in the feature, Stewart ventured to the top of the high-banked Thunderbowl where he began creeping up in the field, gaining very valuable points.
By the 10th lap, Stewart had cracked the top five as he charged forward from the sixth row behind seventh row starter, Rico Abreu. As everyone chased down Roger Crockett, Stewart advanced to the fourth spot and began pressuring Abreu and Jason Meyers.
Taking over the third spot late in the feature, Stewart began to close quickly on Abreu and Crockett, until the red flew on lap 25 for Crockett and a lapper that had gotten together.
The restart saw Abreu get into the turn one wall opening the door for Stewart, but Abreu rallied and went on to win, as Stewart settled for second.
Taking a six point lead into the finale on Saturday, Stewart kicked the night off by charging from 10th to third in his heat race, keeping Jason Meyers six points behind him heading into the 50-lap finale.
Starting shotgun on the field in 24th, Stewart kept Meyers at bay for 10-laps until Meyers was able to get around him, and slowly pull away, as Stewart chased him down hoping to keep him at least one spot ahead of him for points purposes.
With Meyers getting to the front, Stewart was marred in heavy traffic, though he seemed to gain speed and pick off positions by the halfway point as he reached the 10th spot, but Meyers had worked his way up to fourth.
Trouble ensued for the Bixby, OK driver on the 36th lap, as Jac Haudenschild got upside down in the first turn, and Stewart got upside-down as he got on the binders trying to avoid contact.
Making quick repairs, Stewart returned to the track for the final 14 laps, hoping to gain ground on Meyers with a lightened car count on the track.
With Meyers finishing second, Stewart was unable to work inside the top five, and ended his weekend second overall in Trophy Cup points.
“That is one of the toughest races in the country, and I want so bad to win it,” Stewart said. “I have been leading the points heading into Saturday a few times, and unfortunately things haven’t fell my way. There is a reason this race gets over 80 cars a year. It’s grueling, and it’s great for the fans.”
The Silva Motorsports team thanks Kick-It For Children’s Cancer, The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, Lucas Oil Products, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Pro Bilt Construction, Palmero Properties, Finley Farms, Car and Fleet, Stepping Stone Genetics, FK Rod Ends, OMP Racing, Wesmar Racing Engines, , Shift Creative, Amerikote, XYZ, Hoosier Tire, Pro, Banshee Graphics, Dan Olson Products, K&N Filters, RE Technologies, Weld, Schoenfeld Headers, Butlerbuilt Seats, Vortex Wings, CP Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Huggins Cams BR Ignitioneering, Blackwell Consolidation, and Petersen Media for their partnership in 2012.
ON TAP: Shane will now bolt his seat into the 3G Racing machine this weekend for the Short Track Nationals in Little Rock, AR, another event that has eluded Stewart.
STAY CONNECTED: For all of the latest news on Shane Stewart visit his website at www.shanestewart.com or become a fan of his on facebook at www.facebook.com/ShaneStewartRacing. We also encourage you to visit www.kick-it.org for all the happening with the Kick-It For Children’s Cancer program and www.jeffgordonfoundation.com for all the happening with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.