By Gary Thomas
Hanford, CA – October 12, 2013…The annual “Cotton Classic” has routinely provided exciting moments throughout the years and on Saturday night the 28th edition certainly didn’t disappoint, as Tim Kaeding made a last lap pass of Jason Meyers to claim an exciting victory at the Kings Speedway with the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series.
It was Kaeding’s 63rd career Golden State/ King of the West 410 win and the third time he has captured the “Cotton Classic” at the 3/8 mile clay oval in a 410 Sprint Car. Ironically his first win at the event came in 2002 when he passed Tommy Tarlton on the final lap, which made for a bit of de ja vu on Saturday with Meyers aboard the Tarlton & Son No. 21m during the night.
“I really hope you fans liked that race because it sure was a lot of fun from my seat and that’s what it’s all about,” Kaeding said on the front stretch after the race. “It was great racing with Jason Meyers right there for the win and I can’t thank Dennis & Teresa Roth enough for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to drive this race car. I hope all you fans come back next week to the Trophy Cup in Tulare because we’ll be putting on a show there as well.”
The 30-lapper came to the line with dash winner DJ Netto and current King of the West point leader Kyle Hirst on the front row. When the green lights came on it was Hirst jumping into the lead with Jason Meyers following along in second and Tim Kaeding in third. On lap nine-lap Kaeding charged by Meyers for the runner up spot and began to come after Hirst for the lead. The two Roth Enterprise teammates proceeded to put on a show for the solid crowd on hand, trading the lead back and forth over a two-lap period, prior to a caution flag waving.
On the double restart Hirst got a great start, as did Meyers who battled Kaeding for the second spot through turns one and two. Kaeding was able to hang onto the position though and keep chase after Hirst. The complexion of the race would change on lap 19 however, as Hirst got sideways in the second corner and surrendered the lead to Kaeding, with Meyers also coming along for second. The former two-time World of Outlaws champion then turned up the heat on Kaeding and on lap 23 made a beautiful move down low to take the lead exiting turn four.
Kaeding kept Meyers in his sights though and over the final six-circuits stalked his rear bumper with the crowd sensing a thrilling finish on tap. With the white flag in the air “TK” made a spectacular move to get by Meyers in turns one and two for the lead of the race that he would never relinquish. Kaeding crossed the Ed Entz checkered flag for his third King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series victory of the year in just three starts on the season. The two-time Golden State/ KWS 410 champ has had the best season his career this year and will be gunning for a fourth career “Trophy Cup” title next weekend in Tulare.
Meyers crossed the stripe in second to earn a runner up finish at the “Cotton Classic” for the second consecutive year at the event and Hirst brought home yet another podium finish in third. The KWS point leader has now claimed 12 podium finishes in the 17 series events held in 2013. Chico’s Jonathan Allard scored fourth at the finish in the Williams Motorsports No. 0 with St. Helena’s Rico Abreu rounding out the top-five aboard the Abreu Vineyards No. 24 mount. Completing the top-10 at the 28th “Cotton Classic” were Fresno’s Craig Stidham, Hanford’s DJ Netto, Grass Valley’s Jason Statler, Campbell’s Bud Kaeding and Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs.
Winning the 12-lap Last Chance Qualifier was Evan Suggs and taking home the six-lap dash as previously noted was DJ Netto. The three 10-lap Kaeding Performance heat races were picked off by Tim Kaeding, Sacramento’s Willie Croft and DJ Netto. Tim Kaeding kicked off the night by setting the BR Motorsports fast time with a lap of 13.103 seconds around the blazing fast 3/8 mile oval. Full results are available at www.kwssprints.com
The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series will conclude the 2013 season at the Stockton Dirt Track on Saturday November 2 during the 30th
annual “Tribute to Gary Patterson.” The exciting conclusion to the campaign will also be a double-header during the night with Winged 360 Sprint Cars also
competing. A large firework show will also take place to send off the 2013 year with a bang. A car show and live band will also take place prior to the races from noon-4 at the race track. More info at www.stocktondirttrack.com