PETERSEN MEDIA
– Bolting his seat into the always potent Paul Silva owned No.57, Kyle Hirst came from the B main and scored a fifth place finish at the historic Calistoga Speedway on Saturday night.
With 37 of California’s strongest competitors checked in for this historic event, Hirst’s night started off on the right foot as he timed in the ART/Lucas Oil/Pro Bilt Construction backed entry with the second fastest lap of the night during qualifications, only .001 off of Jason Meyer’s quickest lap.
Starting sixth in a very tough second heat race, the driver known as ‘KH’ worked up to the fifth spot, as he battled Tim Kaeding for the final transfer position, but missed out, and was forced to run through the 12-lap B main.
Starting on the pole of the ‘B’, Hirst simply took off and left the field. Leading all 12 laps, he grabbed the win, took a transfer to the feature, and lined up for the 30-lap contest in the ninth spot, just behind the eight car inversion.
Starting in the ninth spot, Hirst kept his right-rear glued to the Calistoga cushion, as he quickly worked up to the seventh spot, as a pair of yellows, and the tragic red flew very early in the feature.
Staying commited to the high-side, Hirst would comfortably race inside the top-10 as he worked up towards the top-five.
Running in the sixth spot, he took over the fifth spot when Brad Sweet was forced into the pits, and ended his night.
On the last lap, Hirst closed in on Rico Abreu who had ran out of fuel, but was un able to get around him and ended up fifth.
“A night like Saturday really makes racing seem so miniscule,” he said. “It’s still surreal that we lost Tyler Wolf, and I send my prayers with him and his family. I do also need to thank Paul Silva for bringing me out here tonight to race with him. He is as good as they come, so it really is a privledge.”
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.