PETERSEN MEDIA
The unique thing about the Trophy Cup Saturday night A Main is the race within a race. Often times fans watch the battle for the race lead, as well as watch the top point earners charge from the back as they eye the Trophy Cup Championship. Saturday night, Willie Croft was able to claim both, as he charged from sixth to pick up the race win, as well as earn the cool $20,000 To Win Trophy Cup.
“I still can’t believe it,” Croft said. “I did not think we had a chance to win the Trophy Cup starting where we were, and I was just focused on winning the race. I am so happy for these Rudeen Racing guys, and am so glad, and thankful, for the opportunity they gave me.”
Heading into the Saturday night program sitting 21st in Trophy Cup standings, Croft was on the wheel in his Saturday night heat race, as he picked up a third place finishing aboard the Vube.Com/Moto Transportation/Kaeding Performance No. 26 machine.
When the point were tabulated, Croft had moved into the 19th spot in the standings, putting him safely in the feature event, where he would roll off in the third row for the 50-lap contest.
With the track beginning to become abrasive towards the end of the B Main, officials did some track prep in hopes of keeping it from taking rubber in the feature event, but with the possibility of the track going rubber down, Croft was focused on getting to the front in a hurry.
The green flag waiving saw Croft work into the fourth spot, as he ripped around the Thunderbowl Speedway chasing after Jonathan Allard and Greg DeCaires.
Working into the third spot by the 10th lap, Croft had a front row seat to the battle for the lead between Mitchell Faccinto and DeCaires, letting him close in on the duo, before he was able to get around DeCaires for the second spot on the 15th lap.
Continuing to finesse his way around the Thunderbowl, lapped traffic came into play as he chased after Faccinto, before he was able to slide up in front of the leader on the 29th circuit exiting turn two.
On the 34th lap, the caution flew, and at this time, officials elected to throw the red and let the cars refuel as was announced in the drivers meeting.
At this time it was announced to the crowd that Croft had currently moved into the top spot of the point standings based on where everyone was running, but with the higher point earners still working forward, Croft could only simply focus on winning the race.
When the race went back to green, Faccinto challenged Croft initially, but Croft was able to break away until the red flew on the 43rd lap.
Over the final seven laps, Croft was flawless as he stretched his lead out, and picked up his second win of the season, and also earned Rudeen Racing their first ever win in the state of California by doing so.
Amidst the race win celebrations, Croft was extremely surprised and emotional when it was announced that he had also earned the coveted Trophy Cup Championship.
“It is such an awesome feeling, I really do not know what to say,” Croft added. “I had a blast racing with the Rudeen Racing guys last year, and was really excited to race with them again this weekend. It is so cool to win this deal after the month of second place finishes we had.”
Willie Croft Racing would like to thank Holey Smokes BBQ, The Christian Stover
Foundation, ButlerBuilt , Brown and Miller, FK Rod Ends, Hinchman Indy, Schoenfeld, K&N, Smith Precision Products, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Shark Racing Engines, A.R.T., M.R.O. Industrial Supply, Redline Oil, Kaeding Performance, PaPa’s Beef Jerky, Dan Olson Products, Vortex Wings, AIC Powdercoating, and GUTS for their support in 2014.
2014 BY THE NUMBERS: Races-29, Wins-2, Top 5’s-11, Top 10’s-13.
ON TAP:Croft will next be in action on November 1st at the Stockton Dirt Track with the King of the West Series and the Civil War Series Presented By Flowmaster.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected with Willie Croft Racing by visiting www.williecroftracing.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @wcroft29.
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