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Abreu Wows In First 410 Run At Daunting Calistoga
Calistoga, California. May 29, 2011. Utilizing a 410 engine for the first time in his two month career, 19 year old Rico Abreu couldn’t have picked a more hair raising place to do it, as he took on the stars of the King of the West Sprints Sunday night at the big half mile of Calistoga Speedway, sometimes referred to as “The Lady in Black.” The resident of St Helena, just a few miles from the track, had what seemed to be the majority of the grandstand crowd cheering him on, and he did not disappoint.
In his maiden voyage on the clocks Abreu showed no fear as he blasted around the cushion like a seasoned veteran. Stopping the clocks seventh fast of the 28 cars pitted at the beautiful Napa Valley facility, Abreu bested many of the top drivers on hand, including Kaeding Performance teammates Kyle Larson and Brent Kaeding.
A fourth place finish in his heat race guaranteed the driver of the Abreu Vineyards #89 a place in the eight car dash that aligns the first four rows of the feature event. Drawing the eighth and final spot in the six lap event Abreu finished seventh to start inside row four.
Once underway in the scheduled 25 lapper Abreu settled into seventh for the first three laps as he fought off former World of Outlaw regular Brad Furr. While Australian Ian Madsen led over Tim Kaeding and Larson, Abreu and Furr waged their own little battle.
On lap four Furr prevailed over Abreu, but the soon to be high school graduate would not go away and continued to look for a way around. As Abreu repeatedly utilized the cushion, he attempted to go around the outside of Furr in turn one of lap eight. But unfortunately for Abreu contact with Furr’s right rear tire sent the youngster into a series of big tumbles that ended in turn two.
Done for the duration of the curfew shortened race won by T Kaeding, Abreu was philosophical in his assessment of the events of the night. “I don’t like ending the night on the hook,” said Abreu, “but I was giving it all I had. The support I got here tonight really motivated me to do my best and that’s what I tried to do. Although it didn’t end the best for me, the experience I gained tonight with a 410 in my car at the biggest and fastest track in the west will only help me get better at a quicker pace for all the other races I have coming up. I can’t wait to get back in the car and see what I can do.”
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.
 
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