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Photo by Graph X Designs
Jason Statler back on track with two top 5's in Chico
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA - July 16, 2007...In his third weekend back behind the wheel of the DF Rios Construction 00, Los Gatos driver Jason Statler had the strongest two night’s of action he’s seen yet and brought home a pair of top five finishes. It was great to see the 2004 King of California back up front with the 410 boys as the Mark Bristow tuned 00 was quick both night’s. Thankfully Jason was able to use the same truck & trailer that he’d been using the last few weeks so he could get up to Chico for the double header weekend.
Friday night was another Silver Dollar Speedway point race and it saw Jason put on a strong charge from the fifth row during the main event. A tacky and hooked surface was put together for teams and Jason was up on the wheel. "The Big Guy" put on a methodical charge and diced it up on multiple occasions with Sean Becker for the third position. Jason took over the spot from Becker for good with about five laps to go and then closed in on second running Johnny Gray. As the white flag waved Jason was all over Gray and when Gray bobbled off the final turn, he powered to bottom and crossed the line in second place aboard the DF Rios Construction, Yak Graphics, Kaeding Performance, Stephanie’s Custom Interiors 00.
It was a great run for Jason and showed that he can still wheel a 410 sprint car with the best of them. "The Big Guy" was pulling the wheels off the ground and definitely showed why he’s the defending Hard Charger of the Year with the Golden State Challenge Series.
Jason and the boys came back to Silver Dollar Speedway on Saturday to compete with the Golden State Challenge Series. The night started off with Jason qualifying eighth quick, which was his best qualifying run aboard the Double Zero in three GSC races this season. A fifth in his heat and a seventh in the dash put Jason in the fourth row for the 30 lap Golden State Challenge main event.
The track on this night was very different as it had slicked off in some areas and had a big fat cushion around the 1/4 mile speedway. The top was the place to be and it made for good racing, but several cautions made it so the leaders never got a chance to race in traffic. After 30 laps Jason brought home a fifth place finish in the DF Rios Construction 00.
It was a solid weekend and gives Jason some added confidence as the GSC season winds down. He has now moved to fifth in points with just three races left in the GSC season. This coming weekend will see him compete with the series at the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on Friday night. So far this year Jason has tallied finishes of 2nd, 3rd and 7th at the Ocean Speedway, which is considered his home track.
For more on Jason Statler and DF Rios Construction Racing log onto http://www.statlerracing.com
Photo by Johns Racing Photos
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