By Robert Haugh
Finally ending a recent stretch of bad luck, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen claimed a hard-earned fourth-place finish on Saturday, June 15 at the USAC-Western States/BCRA co-sanctioned event at the 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway against an ultra-competitive 24-car field.
Jpix by Jamie photo
“Lightning” McQueen, the track record holder, started the evening by clocking in eighth in the 25-car field, just four tenths off of fast time and two tenths off of second quick. McQueen then claimed fifth in her Heat.
With the invert, McQueen lined up on the pole position for the 30-lap main event in the McQueen Racing #7 Lucas Oil/Simpson Race Products Spike/Esslinger by Duane McQueen on the very rough, slick and speedy track. The outside pole sitter jumped to the lead while McQueen fought a tight condition that worsened as the event continued. Maintaining a Top three run for the duration of the race, McQueen was nipped for the third spot while encountering lapped traffic late in the race, settling for a disappointing, but rewarding fourth place run.
“I was definitely hoping for a better finish, though was grateful to finally get a Top 5 finish. We were so tight the entire race and continued to get tighter and tighter as the race went on. I was really disappointed to lose third place in the closing laps of the race due to two lapped cars. I have won races that way and lost races that way and you always hate to lose them that way. One of the lapped cars was very courteous moving and letting the leader’s race. The other lapped car was not and actually caused a lot of havoc for me moving up when I was on the outside of him which allowed the then fourth place car to get to us and make a very aggressive move for the position. If the situation was reversed I may have made the same aggressive move so I cannot fault them for that but definitely disappointed after running in the Top 3 all race,” states McQueen.
“We will take the Top 5 finish and try to build on it at Watsonville in July.”
McQueen returns to action Friday, July 12 at the USAC-Western States event at the 1/4-mile Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, where she earned a second-place finish last year. Joining McQueen will be Oklahoma young gun Trey Marcham, who will be making his first-ever start at the quarter-mile bullring in the McQueen racing #37 Spike/Esslinger by Duane McQueen.
Though not committed to a full USAC-Western States schedule, McQueen sits sixth in the overall standings, with two fast time awards and five top-10 finishes. McQueen also sits fourth in the Dirt series.
McQueen became the first woman to win a BCRA Midget championship in 2011 when she claimed the BCRA Dirt Midget crown, then claimed the 2012 USAC-Western States Midget championship, amassing four Heat race wins, nine Top 5 runs, three fast time awards and 13 Top 10s in 2012. McQueen also holds five track records at the 99 Dirt Track in Stockton, Calistoga Speedway, Petaluma Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway and Orange Show Speedway. McQueen also recently accepted the prestigious Kara Hendrick Spirit award, one of the top awards for women in Motorsports.
McQueen Racing has dedicated the entire 2013 season to Kenny Speck, a McQueen Racing team member who lost his life earlier this year.
McQueen is also the first female owner to boast a win with a female driver when Oklahoma’s Michelle Decker won a USAC Western States Midget Feature in April 2012 at McQueen’s home track of Bakersfield Speedway at the helm of one of McQueen’s potent Spike/Esslinger entries.
McQueen Racing would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, Simpson Race Products, Eibach Springs, DMI, Rod End Supply, K&N Filters, Advanced Racing Suspensions, MPD, Ruth Engineering, Jet-Hot Performance Coatings, Butler Built Seating Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, American Fabrication, West Evans Motorsports, Western Open Wheel Racing News and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.