From Peterson Media
Though the calendar year changed to 2013, Shane Stewart still remained solid as he opened the year with a fourth place finish at the Premier Speedway before charging to a sixth place finish at the Archerfield Speedway.
Kicking of the New Year in Warrnambool, Stewart and his Monster Energy/Milwaukee/Miracle Recreation Equipment team got off to a slower then usual start as they timed in 23rd fastest to kick off the Speedweek finale.
“It wasn’t the qualifying effort we were looking for, but we seem to race much better then we time in as of late,” Stewart said.
In his two heat races, Stewart scored a pair of second place finishes aboard his Lucas Oil Products/J&J/KRE powered no.7 machine and earn the 10th starting spot in the feature event.
On the very racy Premier Speedway, Stewart was able to make some things happen, as he worked the cushion on his charge to the front. Slicing through heavy traffic, Stewart was able to park his Monte Motorsports machine in the fourth spot to close out WSS Speedweek.
“We made some adjustments after time trials, and we raced much better,” he said. “It’s tough to come from the back of a WSS race, and get to the front, so if we can start qualifying better, I think we will be just fine.”
Heading to Brisbane for a two night show, Stewart was the last car out during qualifications and it was not a friendly spot to be in as he timed in 29th quickest.
With the two night show, the format was a little tweaked, as drivers would run three heat races with the top 18 in points making the invitational feature, and Saturday night would just be a heat race into feature events.
Needing to make up serious points after his qualifying time, Stewart went on to win all three heat races he was in, but did not make the top-18 feature event.
“Qualifying keeps killing us,” he said. “We are a much better team than this, and we have some amazing sponsors that deserve to have their car in all feature events, contending for wins.”
Back in action on Saturday night, Stewart scored a third place finish in his heat, and put the Monster Energy backed machine in the sixth row of the feature event.
Poised to end the weekend on a good note, Stewart drove with sheer determination to get towards the front.
On a very tricky track to gain ground, Stewart showed why he is one of the best in the world as he worked his way up to the sixth spot as the checkered flag flew.
“We rebounded nicely,” he said “But we are definitely not on our game right now. Speedweek is over so we have some time to figure some things out and get this car back up front.”
Shane and his Monte Motorsports team thank Monster Energy, Milwaukee, Miracle Recreation Equipment, Lucas Oil Products, J&J Racing, KRE Engines, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Kaeding Performance, Factory Kahne Shocks, Ogio, Etnies, GoPro, Alpine Stars, and Wrap My Ride.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS- Starts-3, Wins-0, Top 5’s-1, Top 10’s-2.
ON TAP: Shane and the Monte Motorsports team will return to action on January 12th at the Sydney Speedway. Stewart started out his 2012/2013 AU season at the speedway in December and took home the top prize.
Shane Stewart’s Down Under Tour Schedule-
January
12th TBA Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
18th WSS #8 Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
19th WSS#9 Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
23rd Presidents Cup Avalon Raceway, Greelong
26th Grand Classic Premier Speedway, Warnambool
27th Grand Classic Premier Speedway, Warnambool
February
2nd WSS #10 Speedway City, Adelaide
8th WSS #11 Manjimup Speedway, Manjimup, WA
9th WSS #12 Attwell Park Speedway, Albany WA
15th WSS #13 Bunbury Speedway, Bunbury WA
16th WSS #14 Bunbury Speedway, Bunbury WA
22nd WSS #15 Perth Motorplex, Kwinana WA
23rd WSS #16 Perth Motorplex, Kwinana WA
March
2nd Krikke Boys Bunbury Speedway, Bunbury WA
3rd Krikke Boys Bunbury Speedway, Bunbruy WA
9th General 25 Perth Motorplex, Kwinana WA
15th Darley Challenge Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
16th Darley Challenge Sydney Speedway, Parramatta
23rd TBA
29th Easter Trail Maryborough Speedway, QLD
30th Easter Trail Archerfield Speedway, Brisbane
31st Easter Trail Charlton Raceway, Toowoomba
STAY CONNECTED: For all of the latest news on Shane Stewart visit his website at www.shanestewart.com,become a fan of his on facebook at www.facebook.com/