NST: Tulare race notes 2006-02-24

Still recovering from a serious IROC wreck, Steve Kinser, showed his fans what winged sprint car racing is all about with an opening night National Sprint Tour win at the Tulare, California Thunderbowl Raceway on Friday night. Race fans packed the house for this event and there were no disappointments.

A strong main event finish for third place by Jason Meyer (14) was overshadowed by the developing showdown between Steve Kinser (11) and his new driver Tim Kaeding (11K). Both won their respective dashes, putting them on the front row of the 30 lap main event. Tim, the faster qualifier got to choose the starting lane over his boss. Tim commented in front of the crowd, "Why do we have to do this on the first night?" Steve was gracious in accepting the inside pole as Tim picked the fast starting outside. The lane choice paid off as Kaeding took the lead at the start only to be brought back by a first lap caution. "I kinda snookered him on the restart," commented Steve after the main win. Kinser led wire to wire with Kaeding never letting up the pressure and at several points during the race was close to passing for the lead.

A "heavy" track made for challenging driving conditions. The main was marred by 5 cautions, the most dramatic when Ronnie Day (1D) and Brooke Tatnell (8) tangled ending an excellent run for both in 4th and 5th place at the time. Jason Solwold in the R19 car started in 15th and finished in 6th place showing speed and patience over the 30 lap main.

Jason Meyers commented after the race the event "was everything we (NST drivers) hoped for and more. We're behind this thing 110%." Tim Kaeding, when asked about the relationship with Kinser, commented "this is a dream come true for me". About his race long challenge for the lead, "I didn't know where third place was and I didn't care. I was just racing that green car."

The National Sprint Tour will return to the Thunderbowl on Saturday night. Race fans will get a chance to see Danny Lasoski and the NST regulars battle again with Sammy Swindell and his son, Kevin, Joey Saldana, Brooke Tatnell, Brent Kaeding and California's best show they can challenge for the win. The Friday and Saturday races are scored as separate events so everyone gets a fresh chance Saturday night.

-nst