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PRESS RELEASE, HOOSIER RACING TIRES CIVIL WAR SPRINT CAR SERIES
FROM THE OFFICE OF JOHN PADJEN MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: [email protected]
Statler takes home second Napa Valley Challenge Civil War in Calistoga
Local boy Jeff Parady drives the race of his life, holds off Cali’s best until closing laps
By Bill Sullivan
CALISTOGA, CA – The Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series made its final appearance of the season at the famed half mile Calistoga Speedway Saturday night for the “Napa Valley Challenge.” At the conclusion of the 20-lap feature event, former Calistoga Speedway champion Jason Statler of San Jose had won the second Napa Valley Challenge of his racing career.
“Every time we race here its special,” said Statler. “ I’ve been coming to Calistoga since I was a kid and saw many of my heroes take checkered flags here. I’ve been hit and miss all year. Tonight I think we got our act together.”
Statler qualified 10th in Saturday’s event out of the 31 cars that entered the event. Following a second place finish in heat race competition he started on the inside of the second row for the 20-lap Hoosier Racing Tires feature with Jeff Parady of Pope Valley and Jim Richardson of Graeagle on the outside of the front row.
When the green flag dropped, Parady jumped into the lead and began to rule what would have been the biggest win of his racing career. A local favorite, Parady has been competing in the North Bay for much of his racing career at Petaluma Speedway, Antioch and the always special Calistoga Speedway.
On this night, Parady was dazzling his hometown fans, leading the event for the first half, holding off the best drivers in the state doing so. At Calistoga, dominating and event early in a race can often result in worn tires and Saturday’s dry track surface was far from forgiving. After leading the majority of the circuits, Parady’s tires began to wear but he still managed to maintain control of his ill handling car, holding off Statler by several car lengths.
On the 11th lap, Parady’s loose car and a slight error provided Statler with the opportunity he was waiting for. As Parady drifted high in the third turn, Statler was there to take advantage of it, driving below Parady and taking the lead away as Parady recovered to salvage the second position even though Brent Kaeding of Campbell and Ronnie Day of Salinas had closed in.
As Statler drove at the point, Parady continued to hang on to the second position, jockeying his #6 sprint car as it came of the turns extremely sideways. If the race were to go non stop, there was little doubt that Parady would score a podium finish behind Statler. However, the inevitable occurred with just three laps to go when the a yellow flag gathered the field for a final restart, placing Kaeding and Day on Parady’s tail for the restart.
As the green flag waved for the final time, Statler powered ahead while the impressive crowd of spectators cheered in excitement as they routinely do at Calistoga, where every race is cherished by true race fans at the track that is constantly facing a challenged future. On this night, Statler was on his way to victory and Parady was ready for the fight of his life for the final three laps.
With the ill handling car and the worn tires, Parady could no longer hold off the challenges of Kaeding, who is second on the list of all time Calistoga winners. Kaeding powered past Parady on the backstretch. One lap later Day would make the same move to steal the third position as the drivers who normally race the Golden State Challenge 410 series overtook the podium in the Civil War event on California’s “Big One.”
At the finish line Statler, Kaeding and Day were followed across the line by Parady. Parady became the highest finishing regular Civil War driver of the event and despite the fourth place finish, remained humble about the night.
“Once I lost half my fuel load it was all over tonight,” said Parady. “The first half of the race, we were on it pretty good even though the car was a little loose. The last thing I needed was that yellow flag near the end.”
Series point leader Sean Becker of Sacramento had another strong night, finishing in the fifth position over local favorite Mike Benson of Calistoga. Andy Forsberg of Auburn, the defending four time series champion, finished in sixth. Kyle Larson of Elk Grove entered the night second place in the point standings, Larson had motor woes in the feature event and finished in the 19th position.
In preliminary action, Kyle Hirst of Loomis won the B-feature on Saturday being trailed across the line by Bradley Terrell of Sebastapol, Peter Breshears of Sutter Creek, Cameron Mendes of Rohnert Park and Matt Petty of Jackson. The first heat race of the night was won by Alissa Geving of Penngrove who held of Kaeding for the win. In heat race two Christian Stover of Alpine bested Statler for the victory. Shawn Arriaga of held off Bud Kaeding for the win in heat race three . In heat race four, Day won the event with local Bill Cornwell of Glenn Ellen.
Saturday’s event was the final regular Civil War event prior to the upcoming Pacific Sprint Invitational at Silver Dollar Speedway. This event will open the prestigious Gold Cup Race of Champions and will bring the top 32-drivers to Silver Dollar on Wednesday, September 3 for the crown jewel of the Civil War series and a $3000 paycheck to the winner.
For further information on the upcoming Pacific Sprint Cup check out www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com. The official point standings of the Civil War Series will be released early in the week, detailing those drivers who are eligible for this upcoming honorable event.
Photo by Steve Lamothe, www.stevesracingphotos.com
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