Bakersfield, CA – October 6,
2012
By Robert Haugh
Piloting the McQueen Racing #7
Spike/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen was just seven laps away from
winning one of the richest Midget races on the West, but after Shane Golobic
inched by with seven laps remaining, McQueen held her line to finish second in
the first annual 101-lap Johnny Soares Classic at the 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway
on Saturday, October 6.
Fighting a tight car towards the end
of the race, McQueen admitted Shane [Golobic] had the “better car in the final
laps,” and was pleased with the intense, clean battle her and Shane had for the
fans. It was McQueen’s third consecutive second-place finish at Petaluma.
“We hoped to bring home a win
for our fans and sponsors, but we are in a championship battle and could not
risk it going for the win,” stated McQueen on the front stretch following the
exciting 101-lap race.
McQueen, who led 67 laps, picked up
a $500 bonus for leading at halfway, as well as the $100 award for setting fast
time with a 15.110 lap time. Though the track was extremely fast, McQueen’s
track record of 14.360 went nearly untested on Saturday – with McQueen setting
the fastest lap of evening with a 14.414 lap on lap 87 of the Feature.
Golobic overtook McQueen for the
lead on Lap 94. A caution unfurled
with five laps remaining, creating a five-lap Dash to the checkers. Pressuring
Golobic, Shannon didn’t want to sacrifice her equipment for the win, settling
for a disappointing, yet satisfying second-place finish.
“We wanted this win, but we are
excited to have clinched the championship. I’d like to thank all our wonderful
sponsors as well as my Dad Duane who gives me such strong engines and my Crew
Chief Ty Hindman for giving me a great car every week,” states McQueen.
With her second-place finish,
McQueen clinched the USAC-Western States Midget championship with two races
remaining, with a commanding 151 points lead over second-place David Prickett.
McQueen also gained several points on USAC-WS Dirt points leader David
Prickett, with McQueen now only 29 tallies back in that battle.
McQueen started the evening
strong, setting fast time with a lightning fast 15.110 mark.
McQueen has amassed four Heat
race wins, ten Top 5 runs, two fast time awards, and 14 Top 10s on the year.
McQueen Racing also boasts a feature win with Michelle Decker in April at
Bakersfield Speedway.
Next up for McQueen is the 72nd
Annual Turkey Nite Midget Grand Prix at the ½-mile Perris Auto Speedway.
McQueen Racing would like to
thank all of our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters,
Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Rod End Supply, Advanced Racing Suspensions,
Eibach Springs, MPD, Ruth Engineering, Jet-Hot Performance Coatings, Butler
Built Seating Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, American Fabrication, MPD Racing,
West Evans Motorsports and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
SUMMARY:
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. McQueen,
15.110
FEATURE: (101 laps) 2. McQueen
Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more
information on McQueen Racing.
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