6/25/2011
Sprint Source
FIRST JOHNNY KEY CLASSIC SLOT GOES TO TIM KAEDING IN THRILLER
WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA (June 25, 2011) – Tim Kaeding stormed past fan-favorite Justin Sanders in lapped traffic to win the Friday’s Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo feature, locking himself in as the first qualifier for the Johnny Key Classic later this year.
Kaeding is known for his motto of “live and die by the high side” and his run to the front lived up to that mantra. Kaeding was relentless on the cushion as the leaders worked their way through lapped traffic.
On lap 24, Sanders was hung up on the bottom by a lapped car in turn three giving Kaeding the opening to take the lead on the outside. St. Helena’s Rico Abreu moved forward into third and began to challenge Sanders.
Orval Zane Burke spun on lap 26 to set up a four lap shootout to the finish between Kaeding, Sanders, and Abreu but Kaeding was too strong on the restart as he drove away for the victory.
A scramble for third place over the last four laps saw points leader Ronnie Day pass both Abreu and Tommy Tarlton to move from fifth to third in the final laps. The third place finish continues Day’s consistent season of all top-four finishes. Tarlton led the first 10 laps of the race before loosing the lead to Sanders in lapped traffic.
Kaeding won the Ray Scheidt’s Electric Fast Time award worth $75 after touring the quarter-mile speedway in 11.883 seconds. The $100 DDNi Hard Charger award went to Jerry Bonnema who advanced nine spots from 17th on the grid to finish eighth. Heat race wins on the night went to Chowchilla’s Eric Humphries, Tommy Laliberte, and Abreu.
Kaeding is the first of six qualifiers for the 51st running of the Johnny Key Classic on Saturday August 27. The winners (or highest finishing car not yet locked in) of the next four Ocean Sprints races will be locked in along with the two highest drivers in the points going into the classic. The six cars will compete in a trophy dash to set their starting order. Money was raised throughout the grandstands on Friday night for the trophy dash.
Laps are currently for sale for the 50 lap Johnny Key Classic with interested parties urged to contact samantha@oceanspeedway.com
The Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo will return to action on Friday June 8 with the California Sprint Car Civil War going against the Ocean regulars.
For more information on the Ocean Sprint Cars presented by Taco Bravo log onto http://www.oceansprints.com and for more on the Ocean Speedway visit http://www.oceanspeedway.com
Article Credit: Steven Blakesley / Blakesley Sports Media
Submitted By: Steven Blakesley
