This message was edited on
August 31, 2009 at
11:59:24 AM by Gary Thomas
Photo's courtesy Joe Martinez http://picasaweb.google.com/jmart16164?pli=1
Late race surge at 49th Johnny Key Classic comes up just short of victory for Bud Kaeding
By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – August 31, 2009…With the laps winding down during Saturday's Johnny Key Classic at the Ocean Speedway Campbell, CA's Bud Kaeding gave it everything he had to get his second career win in the event, but the frantic attempt would come up just a bit short and he would have to settle for a runner-up finish at the conclusion of the 50-lap contest.
The second place effort marked Kaeding's fourth podium finish in six starts with the GLR Investments 360 Series and came in exciting fashion as he and Easton's Tommy Tarlton kept the crowd on the edge of their seats over the final circuits. "That was just awesome right there and that's what sprint car racing is all about," said Kaeding. "The track was great tonight and Tommy did a great job and has had a strong year so we definitely have to congratulate him on the win."
Coming into the 49th Johnny Key Classic Kaeding had been close to victory a couple of different times while driving the Sala/Matherly Racing, M&M Powder Coaters No. 19 machine and was gunning hard to finally make it happen at what was the biggest event of the season for the GLR 360 Series at Ocean Speedway.
When the green lights came on for the 50-lap contest it was apparent that Kaeding had speed as he quickly jumped forward into the third position from the inside of the third row. Traffic came into play early on and the well prepared quarter-mile made for some fantastic action on the bullring with leader Tommy Tarlton, second place Kyle Larson and Kaeding shadowing each other through the slower cars. Lap 21 then saw Tarlton get loose and come down the track in turn two, nearly making contact with Larson, which slowed both of them and gave Kaeding a chance to pounce on the pair.
With the trio looking to fight it out for the top spot the intense racing came to a halt just a few moments later on lap 22 when the caution lights flew for a spun car on the backstretch. The final three circuits of the first 25-lap segment saw Kaeding sit comfortably in third by the time the halfway point brought the mandatory stoppage to allow crews the chance to add fuel and make any necessary adjustments. After going back green for the final half of the race Kaeding once again showed that he was one of the faster cars on the speedway, but had a tough time making things happen with cautions and reds drastically slowing the pace of the main event, only allowing three or four lap intervals at a time.
Kaeding stayed focused though and would take advantage of Larson making a slight miscue up high in the second corner on lap 33 to get to the inside and move the Kaeding Performance, Alviso Rock Maxim into the runner-up spot. The track surface was changing rapidly as it was slicking off in spots making it a very fine line and hitting your marks was paramount to keeping momentum up. Continuing to fight through caution periods the 29-year old veteran began to kick it up a notch over the closing laps and started to show the aggressiveness needed with no traffic to take advantage of.
Lap 41 saw Kaeding stay close to Tarlton's rear bumper and sling the Sala/Matherly Racing sprinter to the low side in turns one and two executing a slide job to move into the lead, but the Easton competitor was able to cut back to the bottom and retake the top spot. Kaeding then charged hard around the cushion in turns three and four trying to get close enough to the black No. 21 machine to make another move and it would come yet again during back-to-back occasions on lap 44 and 45 when he tried the same maneuver, but each time Tarlton again was able to hang on and do a cross over move to stay ahead.
A caution with five to go slowed the intense racing and on the restart Kaeding was forced to hold off Larson as Tarlton escaped and at the finish the two-time Silver Crown champ was able to hang on to score second to conclude the long, yet exciting 50-lap feature. "That was one of the longest main events I can remember here but hopefully the fans enjoyed it because it was fun from the seat when we actually got to race," Kaeding said. "We'll now just move on and try to protect our Silver Crown point lead this coming weekend at DuQuoin."
For more info on Campbell's Bud Kaeding visit http://www.budkaedingracing.com
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Campbell's Bud Kaeding put on a show for the fans late in the going en route to a second place finish during Saturday's Johnny Key Classic at the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville. Next weekend will find Kaeding in Silver Crown Series action at DuQuoin, before flying back to California the following week for the 56th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions at the Silver Dollar Speedway.
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
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