ASCS: Series Tulare report, results 2011-02-10

Lucas Oil ASCS Round Two Saturday Night at Kings!

TULSA, Okla. (February 11, 2011) -- San Jose's Tim Kaeding proved too hot to handle in Wednesday night's Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National debut in the state of California, as TK knocked off the series regulars at Tulare's Thunderbowl Raceway.

"This is my playground and if anybody's gonna beat me, they better get up on the fence and do it," Kaeding commented afterward.

Now, the question is, will the California contingent go two-for-two with another win in Saturday night's tilt at Hanford's Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway? Or, will one of the Lucas Oil ASCS title contenders step up to the challenge and even the California score?

"We were way too tight, all the guys from the Midwest were too tight," 2010 Lucas Oil Sprint Car points runner-up Brady Bacon explained after salvaging a tenth-place finish at Tulare.

With Kaeding in victory lane and ASCS Northwest champ Roger Crockett a close runner-up finisher, 2009 series champion Shane Stewart was the top finishing series title contender in third with a badly-bent left rear wheel after contact with a spinning Steven Tiner prior to the midway point.

"We had a really good car, we were just lucky to finish after that," Stewart explained. "That's what it's all about, you have to finish these races to have a championship."

Stewart and Bacon were two of just four Lucas Oil Sprint Car title contenders among the top ten along with sixth-place Gary Wright and ninth-runner Johnny Herrera. Elk Grove, California's Kyle Larson was fourth aboard the JJR/Finley Farms No. 41 to keep Jason Johnson's entry among the lead pack on the owner point charts until he returns from Australia.

Kaeding was one of four California shoes among the top ten in Wednesday's Thunderbowl feature along with Larson, fifth-place runner Tommy Tarlton and seventh-place Bud Kaeding.

The other two top-ten finishers in Wednesday's feature hailed from the Northwest, with 15-year-old Trey Starks rallying from 17th to eighth to join Crockett among the top ten.

Back on the National trail, Seth Bergman missed out on a top-ten showing by just one position.

Several Lucas Oil contenders struggled with engine issues in the opener including Jeff Swindell, Justin Carver and Zach Chappell.

Saturday night's Lucas Oil Sprint Car action at Hanford's Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway fires off at 6:30 p.m.

After Saturday's event, the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National series moves on to Tucson's USA Raceway next weekend, February 18-19, for the Fifth Annual Copper on Dirt.

When & Where:

Saturday night, February 12 @ 6:30 p.m. -- Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway

-source: ls/ascs