4/22/2010
Sprint Source
McMahan eyes more in the way of impressive run in GSC at Ocean
[i By Bill Sullivan, Racing for the Troops]
[b WEST SACRAMENTO, CA] – It wasn't a dreaded DNF like the previous week, nor was it a breathtaking drive to victory; in fact Bobby McMahan's run in round four of the Golden State Challenge Series at Petaluma Speedway was a solid one. However, the veteran sprint car driver from Elk Grove is hoping this weekend will be a little more eye opening for the fans of the Racing for the Troops #26b sprint car.
"It wasn't a bad night for us, in fact it was really a pretty good night by the time we took the checkered flag," said McMahan. "It was just one of those nights where we didn't really do anything spectacular. We didn't qualifying so great but we worked our way close to another top five finish on a night that was tough on a lot of teams."
McMahan qualified in the 11th position last weekend with a 13:675 lap on the Petaluma track located on the Sonoma-Marin County Fairgrounds. In heat racing he started on the pole position and maintained it for the entire 10-lap affair over Evan Suggs and Brad Bumgarner.
"It was tough to pass all night long," said McMahan. "In the heat race we started on the pole and just got out in front and it pretty much became follow the leader. The track came in a little better by the time we reached the main event."
In the A-feature, McMahan started in the middle of the field in the 11th position, Racing on a track that still had very little in the way of passing room, he managed to work his way towards the front in the 30-lap race. A series of caution periods throughout the night provided him with plenty opportunities to advance, taking it one move at a time.
"We just took it lap by lap, they had a lot of cautions, I think there were only ten of us on the lead lap by the time in ended," he said. "I just had to do a lot of zigging and zagging in this one to stay out of trouble and get towards the front."
At the checkered flag, McMahan secured a sixth place finish behind winner Jonathan Allard, Brent Kaeding, Kyle Larson, Evan Suggs and Tommy Tarlton. With the sixth place run and his success in the prelinary events, McMahan advanced back into the top five in the Golden State Challenge Series point standings. He now sits 36-points out of the lead in a season where he never intended on racing in one venue but has found that his passion lies within 410 sprint car racing and the Golden State Challenge Series.
This Saturday night, McMahan will roll the World Environmental Energy- C&H Service Disabled Veterans sprint car out of the Steve Harris Racing stable for another week with the Golden State Challenge Series. The venue is the always smooth quarter-mile Ocean Speedway on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
"I've ran good there in the past. It's been awhile since we have raced there though," said McMahan. "It's always a good surface down there and good show. Hopefully we make it a little more exciting than these past two weeks but we're happy with where we are at right now. So far it's been a very positive season for us."
Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.
The Racing for the Troops team is proud to honor military veterans and active duty service members. They carry the legacy started by the late Steve Harris by educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. The team invites all of the race fans to their pit area following the races where both McMahan and his teammate Kyle Harris are usually available for autographs and photos. Harris has not been in competition the past couple of events but is expected to be back behind the wheel soon. Both drivers have new t-shirts for sale and each event where they compete. They look forward to meeting fans of all ages.
You can learn more about the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team including its history and its mission by visiting their website at www.racingforthetroops.com.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan
