By Robert Haugh
Returning to action at one of the fastest tracks in the West, Bakersfield’s Shannon “Lightning” McQueen continued her 2014 racing season with a near clean sweep on May 17 at the Bay Cities Racing Association event at the 3/8-mile Stockton 99 Dirt Track in Stockton at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.
Chauffeuring the McQueen Racing #7 Lucas Oil/Simpson Race Products Spike/Esslinger by Duane McQueen, the poised pilot made the 30-lap feature win look easy, seemingly running on rails en route to the dominating triumph, her first feature win in two years.
Beginning the 30-lap main event outside the fourth row in eighth place, McQueen masterfully combated her way to third in the opening lap, then steamed to second on the second lap. By the sixth lap, McQueen had blistered her way into contention with then leader Nick Chivello, dicing side-by-side with him before claiming the lead with an inside pass on the seventh lap.
After taking the lead, McQueen surged to a steady lead before several cautions unfurled, bunching up the field. Having moved to a higher line, McQueen was thwarting off challenged with her strongest challenge coming on the 23rd lap when she was overtaken for the lead after hitting a rut and hiking the car high into the air. Quickly recovering, McQueen stormed under Dodenhoff, retaking the lead with a backstretch pass, pulling away and never looking back.
“We had a very rewarding weekend. It has been a long time coming to get back in the winners circle. The good Lord certainly shined on us over the weekend and blessed us. God is good all the time. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by great people,” stated McQueen, who dedicated the win in honor of her deceased mother and grandmother who both gave her a tremendous amount of support throughout her career.
After starting the evening as the fastest qualifier by over two tenths over her closest competitor, McQueen claimed the eight-lap Heat 1 in just 2:04.374, the fastest eight-lapper of the evening.
SUMMARY:
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. McQueen, 16.642
HEAT 1: 1. McQueen
DASH: 3. McQueen
FEATURE: 1. McQueen
Next up for McQueen will be the May 31 USAC-Western States event at the 1/3-mile Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway.
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 track records at Calistoga Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway and Orange Show Speedway.
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 and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information on McQueen Racing.