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MOTORSPORTS TEAM PRESS RELEASE – JMS MOTORSPORTS/CAMRON MENDES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 9 , 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan: [email protected]
TEAM CONTACT: [email protected]
WEBSITE INFORMATION: www.camronmendes.com
Mendes advances through heat race and B-main to reach Calistoga Speedway Civil War feature event
By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (8-9-08) – Calistoga Speedway is known as one of the most dangerous and grueling tracks in California. At a half mile in length and routinely offering adverse surface conditions due to limited vents, the famed “dark lady” can take a toll on it’s driver very quickly. Saturday night, Rohnert Park sprint car driver Camron Mendes faced the challenges of old “Stoga” in a big way as he earned his way into the feature event through qualifying, an eight lap heat race and then a 12-lap B-feature long before the 20-lap Hoosier Tires Civil War feature event even began.
Saturday’s event was the annual Napa Valley Challenge, the second of two events for the 15-race Civil War Sprint Car Series at Calistoga Speedway this season. For Mendes, competing at the famed half mile is always a pleasure as the scenic facility lies close to his Rohnert Park home and many of his area race fans. Although the cards didn’t fall in his favor early in the game Saturday night, Mendes used a great deal of hard work and skilled driving to insure himself a position in a feature event that included 21 of California’s most competitive drivers.
In qualifying, Mendes was the third car to take to the track and clocked the 21st position out of the 31 cars that entered Saturday’s event. In preliminary heat racing, complications with tire pressure led to handling woes in the JMS Motorsports, Schellinger Brothers, VanLare Steering Repair 29x sprint car and the result was a fifth place finish, just one spot out of the top four transfer positions that are automatically entered into the A-feature.
“The track was drying out really quick and I was lucky to go out third for qualifying tonight,” said Mendes. ‘But in the heat race we had a problem with the bleeder valve in the left rear tire. It made the car really loose, throwing the stagger off and causing it to crab craw. So I ended up finishing fifth and had to go into the B main.”
In the B-feature, Mendes started on the outside of the second row. For much of the race, Mendes challenged Peter Breshears of Sutter Creek for the third position. In this event the top six finishers advance to the A-feature and when the checkered flag flew, Mendes locked himself a position in the money race with a fourth place finish behind Kyle Hirst, Bradley Terrell and Breshears.
In the A-feature, Mendes started on the outside of the 10th row in the 20th starting position. The field of cars included several of California’s most recognized talent, from the veteran Brent Kaeding, who has 21 feature wins at Calistoga as well as fellow Golden State Series Champions Ronnie Day and Jason Statler. The track conditions at Calistoga on Saturday were extremely dry and Mendes utilized his deep in the field starting position to gain experience on the track to tough to tame as he was able to race side by side with some of the best drivers in the business.
“When I got lapped by Sean Becker it actually helped me tonight, “ said Mendes. “I was following his line and keeping up with the top five drivers and I was even able to pass him which felt good because I realized I can run with the best. Tonight gave me some great seat time.”
When the checkered flag waved Saturday night, Mendes had raced a great deal of laps beneath the shadow of Mount StHelena. His evening concluded with an 18th place finish. As a young driver with limited seat time on large tracks, Mendes and the JMS Motorsports team were satisfied with the night.
“I couldn’t have done this tonight if it wasn’t for all of the people in my pits,” said Mendes. “I really want to thank them for everything. My step dad, (Jim Cartwright) does all of this for me and sometimes I don’t thank him enough. I really appreciate everything he does and I have great respect for him and what he does with this car, especially since he’s only been doing this a year. My Mom, Dad and my brother are always supportive of too and tonight we had some great friends in the pits, Matt, Brian, Kurt, Dave and Lou who were such an great help. I can always count on them for being straight up with me.”
This week, Mendes and his JMS Motorsports team will head back to the foothills to the track he calls home, Placerville Speedway. Mendes will be competing in the 15th champion point race and “Morrison Concrete Kids Night” on the quarter-mile bullring. Mendes is currently 13th in the series point standings in a heated battle for Rookie of the Year with Trent Canales and Billy Strange Jr. In eleven starts Mendes has garnered 4 top ten finishes at Placerville Speedway.
Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team would also like to say a huge thank you to Robbie and Donnie Johnson for their assistance in repairing the frame of the 29x sprint car. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events or check out their website at www.camronmendes.com.
PRESS PHOTO ATTACHED/Photo Courtesy of Steve Lamothe
Camron Mendes (29x) of Rohnert Park placed 18th in Saturday’s Napa Valley Challenge at the famed half mile Calistoga Speedway. This Saturday Mendes heads back to Placerville Speedway.
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