From Shawn Miller
Las Vegas, NV – (March 7, 2013) – There are plenty of Las Vegas puns that can be used to describe Tim Kaeding, but luck doesn’t need to be in any of them.
The guy is just flat out good.
With the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip in the distance, Kaeding celebrated in style after he scored his second straight World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series feature victory at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on Thursday night.
“I think a couple of years ago I lost all my luck at the casinos and it’s paying me back out here at the race track,” he said. “We had a great race car all night long and we did what we had to do, and that was run up front and steal the win from everybody.”
Kaeding roared from his third starting position to the lead on the backstretch of the opening lap with polesitter and Wednesday’s feature winner – Donny Schatz – in close pursuit. By Lap 12, Kaeding had established nearly half a straightaway lead as he entered traffic.
That advantage disappeared in two laps. Kaeding and Schatz raced side by side down the backstretch and into turns three and four on Lap 14. Kaeding stayed on the inside groove as Schatz powered around the top, which gave him enough momentum to take the lead exiting turn four.
As they continued to battle through traffic and with Joey Saldana pressuring Kaeding for the runner-up position, Kaeding had a near-perfect entry in turn one with 10 laps remaining. He slid up in front of Schatz to regain the top spot as they exited turn two.
“It was a hard track to pass on,” Kaeding said. “We snuck by him there. He got stuck on the outside and we kinda got back to the bottom and had some clear track.”
Four laps later, Brady Bacon stopped in turns three and four to bring out the second – and final – caution of the 30-lap feature. Kaeding chose the inside lane on the double-file restart as Schatz’s left front tire went flat during caution.
That gave Kaeding a sizeable advantage on the restart as he rocketed to the lead. Schatz shot down to the bottom groove and struggled, which bogged down that lane.
“It hurt me, actually,” said Saldana, who restarted behind Kaeding on the inside of the second row. “I kinda thought it might help me, him being on the outside. He was smart enough he knew he needed to get down. It just took my groove away and that got Jason a clear run around there.”
That allowed Jason Sides, who restarted fourth, to drive around the outside of Schatz and Saldana for second place. However, he was unable to catch Kaeding, who had an open track without traffic until the checkered flag.
“The cautions kind of plagued us last night; we could have used a caution or two tonight,” Sides said. “But there again, TK was on a good run. We’d like to maybe have another caution to give us a shot at racing with TK off the start.
“I’m happy to run another second place like last night … two top threes both nights and make a little money, maybe offset some of my expenses from Vegas here.”
Saldana finished third to earn his first podium of the season.
“There was a point during the race I thought we had a shot at maybe getting them guys, but it’s just a good, solid effort all night,” he said.
David Gravel, who was racing for injured World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series driver Bill Rose, scored his best finish of the season in fourth place. Kyle Larson rallied from 15th to round out the top five and earn the KSE Hard Charger Award.
Schatz placed sixth, Daryn Pittman seventh, Sam Hafertepe Jr. eighth, Wayne Johnson ninth and fast qualifier Lucas Wolfe was 10th for the second straight night.
The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series wraps up the weekend on Saturday with the Wildcat Shootout Presented by NAPA Auto Parts at Tucson International Raceway in Tucson, Ariz.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Notebook
NOTES – Lucas Wolfe established quick time in qualifying for the second straight race. … This was the first race this season that Paul McMahan didn’t qualify in the top two. … Tim Kaeding won his second heat race and Sam Hafertepe Jr., Wayne Johnson and Kerry Madsen claimed their first of the season. … The dash draw was a six. … Donny Schatz earned his first dash victory. … Chad Kemenah won his first Last Chance Showdown. … There has been a different winner in the first five races for the second straight season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS – Penske Shocks ($100 certificate): David Gravel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Donny Schatz; STP ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Bruce High Performance Transporters ($50 cash and $200 certificate): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Wayne Johnson; UNOH ($50 cash): Wayne Johnson; American Racing Custom Wheels ($50 cash): David Gravel; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): David Gravel; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Sammy Swindell; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Bruce High Performance Transporters ($200 certificate): Daryn Pittman; Superflow ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; JE Pistons (set of rings): Paul McMahan; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; JE Pistons (set of rings): Kerry Madsen; Bruce High Performance Transporters ($200 certificate): Kerry Madsen; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Kerry Madsen; Armor All (case of product): Wayne Johnson; KSE Racing Products ($100 certificate): Kyle Larson.
WINNERS – Tim Kaeding – 1 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 7); Danny Lasoski – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Terry McCarl – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 16); Daryn Pittman – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 15) and Donny Schatz – 1 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 6).
TIME TRIALS – Lucas Wolfe was the fastest qualifier around the half-mile oval with a time of 14.507 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Daryn Pittman (4 points), Paul McMahan (3), Jason Sides (2) and Joey Saldana (1).
WE’RE ONLINE – Make sure to check out WoOsprint.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Statistical Report; Las Vegas, Nev.; March 7, 2013
A-Main – (30 Laps) – 1. 83-Tim Kaeding [3] [$10,000]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [11] [$5,000]; 3. 71M-Joey Saldana [2] [$3,000]; 4. 6-David Gravel [6] [$2,700]; 5. OL-Kyle Larson [15] [$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$2,200]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [8] [$2,000]; 8. 26-Sam Hafertepe Jr [5] [$1,800]; 9. 77X-Wayne Johnson [7] [$1,600]; 10. 82-Lucas Wolfe [4] [$1,450]; 11. 51-Paul McMahan [10] [$1,300]; 12. 7-Craig Dollansky [19] [$1,200]; 13. 4-Cody Darrah [16] [$1,100]; 14. 63-Chad Kemenah [17] [$1,000]; 15. 21-Brian Brown [14] [$950]; 16. 29-Kerry Madsen [24] [$900]; 17. 21M-Jason Meyers [12] [$850]; 18. 11-Steve Kinser [20] [$750]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21] [$725]; 20. 1-Sammy Swindell [13] [$700]; 21. 14X-Brady Bacon [22] [$700]; 22. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [23] [$700]; 23. 33-Danny Lasoski [18] [$700]; 24. 24A-Rico Abreu [9] [$700]. Lap Leaders: Tim Kaeding 1-13, 21-30; Donny Schatz 14-20. KSE Hard Charger Award: OL-Kyle Larson [+10].
Qualifying – 1. 82-Lucas Wolfe, 14.507; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.628; 3. 51-Paul McMahan, 14.675; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.688; 5. 71M-Joey Saldana, 14.689; 6. 21M-Jason Meyers, 14.696; 7. 1-Sammy Swindell, 14.733; 8. 21-Brian Brown, 14.742; 9. OL-Kyle Larson, 14.753; 10. 24A-Rico Abreu, 14.779; 11. 77X-Wayne Johnson, 14.792; 12. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.807; 13. 83-Tim Kaeding, 14.811; 14. 26-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 14.815; 15. 6-David Gravel, 14.821; 16. 29-Kerry Madsen, 14.858; 17. 4-Cody Darrah, 14.866; 18. 63-Chad Kemenah, 14.879; 19. 33-Danny Lasoski, 14.890; 20. 7-Craig Dollansky, 14.934; 21. 11-Steve Kinser, 14.946; 22. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.969; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.979; 24. 27-Mitch Olson, 14.994; 25. 24-Terry McCarl, 15.016; 26. 14X-Brady Bacon, 15.027; 27. 45X-Johnny Herrera, 15.111; 28. 2L-Logan Forler, 15.172; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.192; 30. 44W-Austen Wheatley, 15.214; 31. 83JR-Kyle Hirst, 15.242; 32. 33V-Henry Van Dam, 15.247; 33. 11C-Roger Crockett, 15.268; 34. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 15.288; 35. O-Glenn Styres, 15.295; 36. 21X-Carson Macedo, 15.330; 37. 7K-Jason Solwold, 15.331; 38. 92-Mitch Mack, 15.334; 39. 97G-Jody Rosenboom, 15.362; 40. 88N-D.J. Netto, 15.532.
Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 83-Tim Kaeding [1]; 2. 71M-Joey Saldana [3]; 3. OL-Kyle Larson [2]; 4. 4-Cody Darrah [5]; 5. 82-Lucas Wolfe [4]; 6. 11-Steve Kinser [6]; 7. 24-Terry McCarl [7]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8].
Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 26-Sam Hafertepe Jr [1]; 2. 24A-Rico Abreu [2]; 3. 21M-Jason Meyers [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 14X-Brady Bacon [7]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 7. 13-Mark Dobmeier [9]; 8. 44W-Austen Wheatley [8]; 9. 92-Mitch Mack [10]; 10. 63-Chad Kemenah [5].
Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 77X-Wayne Johnson [2]; 2. 6-David Gravel [1]; 3. 51-Paul McMahan [4]; 4. 1-Sammy Swindell [3]; 5. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [8]; 6. 45X-Johnny Herrera [7]; 7. O-Glenn Styres [9]; 8. 33-Danny Lasoski [5]; 9. 97G-Jody Rosenboom [10]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6].
Heat 4 – (8 Laps – Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 29-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 3. 7-Craig Dollansky [5]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 6. 2L-Logan Forler [7]; 7. 21X-Carson Macedo [9]; 8. 27-Mitch Olson [6]; 9. 33V-Henry Van Dam [8]; 10. 88N-D.J. Netto [10].
Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 71M-Joey Saldana [4]; 3. 83-Tim Kaeding [7]; 4. 82-Lucas Wolfe [6]; 5. 26-Sam Hafertepe Jr [8]; 6. 6-David Gravel [9]; 7. 77X-Wayne Johnson [2]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]; 9. 24A-Rico Abreu [3]; 10. 29-Kerry Madsen [10].
B-Main – (12 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 63-Chad Kemenah [1] [-]; 2. 33-Danny Lasoski [2] [-]; 3. 11-Steve Kinser [3] [-]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] [-]; 5. 24-Terry McCarl [7] [$200]; 6. 2L-Logan Forler [9] [$180]; 7. 45X-Johnny Herrera [8] [$175]; 8. 13-Mark Dobmeier [13] [$160]; 9. 44W-Austen Wheatley [11] [$150]; 10. 33V-Henry Van Dam [12] [$150]; 11. 21X-Carson Macedo [15] [$150]; 12. O-Glenn Styres [14] [$150]; 13. 88N-D.J. Netto [19] [$150]; 14. 92-Mitch Mack [17] [$150]; 15. 41-Jason Johnson [4] [$150]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [10] [$150]; 17. 27-Mitch Olson [6] [$150]; 18. 7K-Jason Solwold [16] [$150]; 19. 11C-Roger Crockett [20] [$150]; 20. 97G-Jody Rosenboom [18] [$150].
World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Top 20 Championship Standings
| Pos. | Driver |
Total |
Diff |
Wins |
Top 5 |
Top 10 |
QT |
| 1 | Daryn Pittman |
702 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
| 2 | Jason Sides |
698 |
-4 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
| 3 | Donny Schatz |
670 |
-32 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
| 4 | Paul McMahan |
655 |
-47 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| 5 | Joey Saldana |
648 |
-54 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| 6 | Sammy Swindell |
644 |
-58 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| 7 | Chad Kemenah |
635 |
-67 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| T8 | Kraig Kinser |
634 |
-68 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| T8 | Kerry Madsen |
634 |
-68 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| 10 | Craig Dollansky |
631 |
-71 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
| 11 | Cody Darrah |
625 |
-77 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| 12 | David Gravel |
622 |
-80 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| 13 | Steve Kinser |
590 |
-112 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 14 | Terry McCarl |
549 |
-153 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| 15 | Sam Hafertepe Jr. |
532 |
-170 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 16 | Danny Lasoski |
506 |
-196 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| 17 | Greg Wilson |
484 |
-218 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 18 | Bill Rose |
416 |
-286 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 19 | Brad Sweet |
394 |
-308 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| 20 | Jac Haudenschild |
382 |
-320 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |