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MOTORSPORTS TEAM PRESS RELEASE – JOHN TAYLOR MOTORSPORTS-COLBY WIESZ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 24, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan: [email protected]
TEAM CONTACT: [email protected]
Wiesz gets “Swindelled” out of sixth win; John Taylor team clinches 2008 Placerville track championship
Team looks forward to Performance Plus Carpet Care night and Tracy Taylor Memorial event Saturday
By Bill Sullivan
PLACERVILLE, CA (8-17- 08) – Colfax driver Colby Wiesz gave it everything he had Saturday night at Placerville Speedway to win his sixth season feature event aboard the John Taylor Motorsports owned M&M Structures, Thompson’s Auto and Truck Centers #35m JEI sprint car. Despite leading 23 of the 25 laps in the feature race, the driver that is one of the best in the west was passed by a driver that is one of the best in the nation, Slammin’ Sammy Swindell of Germantown , TN.
Swindell made a rare appearance at Wiesz’ home track Saturday night and charged from 11th place to the front of the field. Wiesz was his final victim in the trek to victory. Although Swindell won the battle, Wiesz won the war as he clinched the 2008 track championship. The title is Wiesz’ first at Placerville Speedway and the fourth of his racing career. The effort makes Taylor the first car owner to win three consecutive track championships at Placerville Speedway as an owner.
“I gave it everything I had tonight,” said Wiesz. “He got by me just when that red flag came out. During the caution I parked next to Andy Forsberg. I asked him how he passed him and he told me he went low. He had gone low on me too so I figured that was the only way he would get around me.”
It was on lap 23 when Wiesz came out of the fourth turn with Swindell in his wake. Swindell went to the low side of the track and slid beneath the three time Marysville track champion to steal the lead. The pass became invalid as the red flag flew and reverted the event back to the previous lap, giving Wiesz one final chance to hold off a three time World of Outlaws champion.
“He passed Forsberg low and he passed me low,” said Wiesz. “I figured that was how he would get around me so protected the low line on the restart. I drove down there and looked to my right and there he was, passing me up high for the lead. At that point I had nothing left for him and just did my best to maintain second place.”
Entering Saturday’s event, Wiesz held a 56-point lead over second place runner Scott Russell of Placerville. Following his performance in the second to last event of the season he has increased his lead to an insurmountable 59-point lead one week before the end of his first season in Taylor’s #35 sprint car.
Earlier in the evening, Wiesz qualified in 7th place with a lap time of 10:423 seconds. In his heat race, Wiesz started fifth and finished in the third position to secure a third place starting position in the feature event. At the waving of the green flag Wiesz charged past second place starter Kyle Hirst of Loomis and overtook pole sitter Justin Johnson of Shingle Springs before the first lap was completed.
Once in front, Wiesz soon became pressured by “Mr. Excitement” Andy Forsberg who started fourth. Currently Forsberg and Wiesz are tied for the most wins of the season at Placerville, each with five wins to their name. The two friendly rivals were beginning to duel for that personal statistic until Swindell spoiled their party. Swindell started 11th and charged by Forsberg for second place before overtaking Wiesz for the lead in the final laps.
“When you do this for a living like he does, you find a way to make any line work,” said Wiesz. “Those guys always amaze me because they race all over the country and they are so smooth wherever they go. It was a lot of fun running with him out there. I’m happy tonight, we clinched this championship and its been a great year with John Taylor, one of my best.”
Wiesz has maintained the Placerville Speedway point lead since the start of the racing season. Saturday night, he and Taylor were relaxed as they reflected on the memorable battle with Swindell, knowing they had the season title locked one week earlier. Next Saturday Wiesz can race without the worry of championship points on a night that will be very special for the entire team.
Next Saturday is Performance Plus Carpet Care Night at Placerville Speedway. The new carpet cleaning company is owned by Taylor who is posting a $500 bonus to the sprint car victory, making it worth $2000 to win. Additionally, the Bay Cities Racing Association will be on hand for the annual Tracy Taylor Memorial, a race that honors their former public relations representative who lost her battle with cancer just a few years ago. Tracy was John Taylor’s beloved sister. Tracy supported his love of racing with a passion from his days with the BCRA to his advancement to sprint cars as a driver and later a winning car owner when he first teamed with Greg DeCaires, winning a Civil War title and two Placerville championships. Saturday night, Taylor’s half brother, Kerry King who owns his own construction company in El DoradoCounty, will kick in an additional $500 that will be distributed to the Midget Lite divison.
“She loved this sport so much,” says Taylor. “I can’t even describe how much I miss her and the BCRA guys miss her. She loved helping in any way she could. The last time I saw her was at a race. She was in remission then, things seemed to ok. She came up to me and said goodnight and that night she passed in her sleep. She really supported me in this, as a driver and a car owner. This night will be special as we celebrate this championship on her night.”
Colby Wiesz and John Taylor Motorsports Marketing partners for 2008 include M&M Structures; Thompson’s Auto & Truck Centers; DSR Graphic’s and Signs; Rowes Auto Body; Ervin Sales Group; PT Shocks; Performance Plus Carpet Care; A.R.T. Enterprises; Joe Hunt Magnetos; JB Enterprises; and Tony Borello Racing Engines.
PRESS PHOTO ATTACHED
PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Lamothe, www.stevesracingphotos.com
Colby Wiesz drove the John Taylor Motorsports #35 sprint car to second place in Saturday’s feature event at Placerville Speedway and clinched the 2008 track championship one week early.
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