This message was edited on
May 10, 2011 at
12:57:14 AM by abreuracing
Abreu Scores First Podium Finish In Taco Bravo Ocean Feature
Watsonville, California. May 6, 2011. The rapid progression of rookie sprint car driver Rico Abreu continued last Friday night at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway as the 19 year old from St. Helena, California raced to his first podium appearance in only his fifth sprint car race ever. The little man with the big right foot did it in style as he chased two of the best veterans in West Coast sprint car racing, trailing only winner Bud Kaeding and runnerup Ronnie Day to the checkered flag.
Qualifying proved to be a glimpse of what was to come for Abreu as he stopped the clocks fourth fast of the 21 cars assembled, ahead of Kaeding and two time defending Taco Bravo Series champion Tommy Tarlton. A third place start in the first heat turned into a second place finish for Abreu, resulting in a ticket to the inversion draw for the front rows of the A-main event.
When the inversion came up four, thereby placing Abreu on the pole for the feature lineup, the good fortunes continued. The only misstep for the high school senior came on the opening lap as a huge wheelstand down the backstretch allowed outside front row starter Day and third starter Shane Golobic to scoot by. Soon after fast time qualifier Justin Sanders drove over Abreu’s right rear tire in turn two of lap two to bring out the red flag.
Once again underway Abreu held his own in the Abreu Vineyards/Stadelhofer Construction Shaver powered Maxim #89 and kept pace at the front of the pack. On lap eight Kaeding got past Abreu and pursued Golobic until he got by on lap 11. Golobic retook the spot a lap later and held sway for the next several laps. On lap 18 Kaeding got by Golobic for good and set out for Day as the top four diced through heavy lapped traffic.
Working the lapped traffic to perfection Kaeding drove past Day to take the lead on lap 23. Golobic was also able to get past Day a lap later and close on Kaeding in the final stages as Abreu sat poised to capitalize on any mistakes. Finally, just as Golobic made one last stab at Kaeding in the final two turns, the Fremont driver came to a stop with rear end maladies, allowing Day and Abreu to each gain a position in the final rundown.
Now sitting third in the Taco Bravo series point standings Abreu was beaming in the pits afterwards. “I just have to thank Brent Kaeding and all of his guys at Kaeding Performance for all the hard work, and late night work, they put in so that I can race. The confidence that they have in me gives me confidence to go out there and run as hard as I can. I know they are proud of what I did tonight. I just want to keep learning from them and hopefully we’ll be contending for wins pretty soon.”
Abreu’s racing efforts are sponsored by Abreu Vineyards, Stadelhofer Construction, Kaeding Performance and Swift Metals.
Visit www.ricoabreuracing.com for more information and news on Rico Abreu.
Interview in the pits after the races: http://www.vimeo.com/23456232
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