From Peterson Media
Though it was due to a crash, Shane Stewart put on quite the show Friday night at the Sydney Speedway before a rough night saw his weekend come to a close on Saturday while competing in the Scott Darley Challenge.
The United States pilot put on quite the show however, as he got underway on Friday night by timing his Monster Energy/Milwaukee Tools/GearWrench machine in 13th quickest against the 45 car field.
Starting in the fourth spot of his heat race, Stewart was in a big crash that forced him in the pits with a ninth place finish, hampering his event point totals.
Being so low in points, Stewart was up in the C main event, where he lined up in the third spot.
Grabbing the lead on the start of the race, Stewart won the race, and transferred to the B, where he started in the 16th spot.
Stewart would have his elbows up in the B, as he worked the super slick Sydney Speedway to near perfection as he charged his Prosser Toyota/KRE Engines/Lucas Oil Products machine all the way up to the third spot, and transferred his machine to the feature event.
Stewart was not done.
Lining up 23rd in the feature, Stewart was hoping to gain as many spots as he could in hopes of salvaging his points night, and setting himself up for Saturday.
Stewart would exceed expectations.
Hitting the loud pedal, Stewart showed that he was easily one of the fastest cars on the track, as he was on a mission, with his right-rear planted in the cushion.
Taking advantage of a few red flags, Stewart found himself in the top five late in the feature event.
He wanted more.
Getting around Robbie Farr and Jamie Veal, Stewart would close his prelim night with an astounding third place finish, that started in the C main.
“We had an awesome car, and I wish we wouldn’t of wrecked in our heat,” he said. “My guys worked their tails off all night, and I thank them for that.”
Back in action on Saturday night, Stewart scored a second place finish in his heat from his third row starting spot, and locked his K&N/Factory Kahne/Kaeding Performance backed entry into the feature event, where he was scheduled to start in the ninth spot.
With Ian Madsen taking the challenge, he moved up to the eighth spot, but the feature did not go how he had hoped.
After slight contact early in the feature, Stewart’s steering began to be hampered, and he ultimately spun his machine out.
In doing so, a car made contact with him, and severe damage was made to the Monster Energy rear end, and Stewart’s weekend was over.
“It was a wild weekend overall, but our car was fast,” he said. “These guys work hard and I simply can’t thank them enough.
Shane and his Monte Motorsports team thank Monster Energy, Milwaukee, GearWrench, Prosser Toyota, KRE Engines, Lucas Oil Products, K&N, Factory Kahne Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Miracle Recreation Equipment, Mahle Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, OGIO, GoPro, and DC Shoes.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS- Starts-22, Wins-4, Top 5’s-10, Top 10’s-14.
ON TAP: As Stewart’s Australian tour winds down, the team will check some things out before deciding where they will race this weekend.
Shane Stewart’s Down Under Tour Schedule-
March
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/