From Peterson Media
Willie Croft and his Tri-C Motorsports team continue to be one of the regions top teams, as Croft and company pick up their fifth win of the season on Friday night.
With 28 cars on hand, Croft hit the new Stockton-99 Speedway in Stockton, CA with the third fastest lap in time trials.
Racing his way to a heat race win, ‘Double-Down’, put the Tri-C Machine/JRI Shocks/NAAKE No. 3c in the evening’s Dash, where he started in the fifth spot.
Working his way up to a third place finish, Croft would then start the 30-lap feature event from the inside of row three.
Getting the green flag, it was apparent Croft had a very strong racecar, as he worked his way into the second spot, before sliding up in front of Steven Kent on the fourth circuit.
On the extremely slick track, Croft hit his marks, as he immediately began extending his lead over the field.
Though the race was marred with several cautions, Croft was the class of the field, as he powered his way to his fifth win of the season.
“I can’t thank the Lamar family enough for the opportunity they have provided me with this year,” Croft said. “Lee Lindgren and the guys had this car perfect, and it was really a pleasure to drive.”
Heading back to the Placerville Speedway on Saturday night, Croft and company had an eventful night.
With 24 cars on hand, Croft opened his night up by timing the Holey Smokes BBQ/Christian Stover Foundation/ButlerBuilt backed entry in seventh fastest, putting him in the second heat.
Starting fourth in his heat, Croft quickly jumped into the second spot, where he applied heavy pressure on Kyler Shaw, but was unable to get around him, and finished in the second spot, putting him in the feature event, where he started in the fifth spot.
When the feature went green, Croft was victimized in turn one, as contact to the rear of his car sent him spinning, and he was forced to restart in the 20th spot, as a few cars went to the work area.
When the race went back to green, Croft had a strong seven lap run that saw him work up to the 12th spot before the caution waived.
Back underway, Croft stayed committed to the high-side, and slid off the edge of turn two, sending him back to 18th, on the 10th lap.
Regaining his composure, Croft slowly carved his way up to 10th at the line.
“It’s unfortunate what happened on the first lap,” Croft said. “On a track that slick, the start’s are usually slow into one, but unfortunately someone got into me, and we had to go to the back. We had a great car, and I think we could have had something for the win, but that’s racing.”
The Tri-C Motorsports team would like to thank Tri-C Machine, JRI Shocks, NAAKE Suspension, Holey Smokes BBQ, The Christian Stover Foundation, ButlerBuilt, Arai, Brown and Miller, Sander Engineering, FK Rod Ends, Hinchman Indy, Schoenfeld, K&N, Smith Precision Products, A.R.T., Kaeding Performance, Dan Olson Products, Vortex Wings, AIC Powdercoating, and GUTS for their support in 2013.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS: Races-27, Wins-5, Top 5’s-13, Top 10’s-18.
ON TAP: Croft and the Tri-C Motorsports team will be back in action Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA, before retuning to action with the King of the West Series on Saturday night back at the Placerville Speedway.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected with Willie Croft Racing by visiting www.williecroftracing.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @wcroft29.