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Tommy Tarlton Crushes through Field to Charge from 20^th to 5^th; Holds onto GLR Point Lead

By Gary Costa

Watsonville, CA – (September 25, 2009) – Easton resident, Tommy Tarlton turned in a driving clinic last Friday night at John Prentice's ¼-mile Watsonville Speedway during the GLR Series vs. Civil War Series combination event. Tarlton worked his way back up to a respectable fifth after starting deep in the star-studded field from his 20^th starting spot. During the last time the two clubs clashed, Tarlton finished second in the 30 lap feature on July 17.

Tarlton's night would not start off as it did the last time the clubs met, as he qualified the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Tarlton & Son, Inc., Maxim to a disappointing 34^th out of the 41 cars in attendance quickly putting the potent No. 21 behind the 8-ball. The Tarlton Motorsports team immediately went to work on the car, making the changes needed to gain more speed. The veteran shoe dug deep for his heat race by charging from his ninth starting spot and racing to the fourth spot, putting him into the 30 lap feature event.

"We had some problems qualifying, but the team worked hard and fixed them for the rest of the night," Tarlton said. "The car was great in the heat. I was able to pretty much put it where I wanted to; the guys did a great job."

Tarlton would definitely have his work cut out for himself, however. Never one to run from a challenge, the current GLR point leader knew that he was going to have to get his elbows up as second place point man Brent Kaeding was starting in the seventh spot. When a dead serious Tarlton slid into his seat, he was focused on one thing; moving forward and going all-out! And when the green flag flew, he did just that in the Paul Baines wrenched mount.

"I was on kill out there. When I was buckling up, I was getting myself mentally prepared, because I knew it was going to be a long hard fight," Tarlton quipped. "When the green flag came out, I was on the button!"

Tarlton was able to maneuver the car anywhere around the speedway. He was confident and would go two and three wide, passing cars along the way, exhibiting why he has won four GLR Investments series main events at the racy speedway this year. Tarlton eventually put himself into contention with the front-runners, and was looking for more, however a slight miscue would send him back just a bit, but convincingly held onto a solid top-5 finish.

"We just never gave up. It seems as if we get behind, we all dig deeper to work ourselves out of a hole," he said. "The team did their part, and I knew I had to perform and do mine. We're going for this championship, and Brent (Kaeding) was starting in front of us. I definitely had my elbows up, and I hope the fans all enjoyed it. Again, I need to thank everyone who contributes to Tarlton Motorsports – without them; none of this would be possible."

Tommy Tarlton will be taking this weekend off. He will be looking to extend his GLR Investments Series point lead when the series picks-up again on October 9. Tarlton carries a slim seven point lead over Brent Kaeding.

Tarlton Motorsports efforts are supported by: The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Ridgeline Framing, Shark Racing Engines, Matt & Glass, M & S Motorsports, Sharp Insurance, McLellan Equipment, Elite Racing, BG Products, Pro Signs, VMAC, Kaeding Performance, Pro Shocks, Sander Engineering, Astro Titanium, Simpson, BR Motorsports, Willwood, and Brown & Miller Racing Solutions.

Be sure to follow Tarlton Motorsports on the web at www.tarltonandson.com

The #21 Qualifyingat Ocean Friday