7/15/2010
Sprint Source
Becker brings Racing for the Troops Santa Maria win; McMahan 8th
[i By Bill Sullivan, Racing for the Troops]
[b WEST SACRAMENTO, CA –] The long drive to Santa Maria Speedway on Saturday night paid off for the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team. With four drivers in the field, one of them took home the victory while another brought home another top ten finish of the year in the Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series.
Topping the team roster for the night was Antelopes' Sean Becker has returned to victory lane in the King of California Series for the first time since 2007. Becker was aboard the Brian Sperry #51 for the night and made a last lap pass that led him to his ninth career win in the Golden State Challenge Campaign.
We got the lead there early on in traffic and then lost it and struggled for a bit so it was a great to come back and get the win on the final lap,” said Becker. “Andy Gregg had a real big lead there and I thought we were racing for second at one point, but then we kept creeping in closer and closer and when the white flag came out I knew we had a shot at it. I really have to thank Brian Sperry, the McMahan family and everyone that helps us out, because without all of them it wouldn’t be possible.”
After qualifying 5th on Saturday night with a 12:269 second lap, Becker finished second in both his heat race and the dash to secure a second place starting position in the A-feature. The 30-lap money race got off to a rough start for the Racing for the Troops team as 16-year-old Sean McMahan went upside down hard shortly after the green flag flew. McMahan was uninjured and the race was restarted with his fellow teammates Becker, Bobby McMahan and Brian Sperry all in competition.
Polesitter Andy Gregg of Placerville took command of the field on Saturday night as he shot into the lead on the feature event restart. Becker pursued Gregg from the waving of the green and waited for the opportune moment to make his move. The moment fell on the final turn and the final lap of the race as he stole the lead from Gregg and went on to post the win.
While Becker took home the win, Bobby McMahan ended his night with another top ten finish to his name. McMahan qualified 9th in the field and battled his way to an 8th place finish, holding off charges from Alissa Geving all the way to the line. Sperry finished 13th on the night in one of his rare driving appearances.
"It was a great night for Becker, we just were off on our set up and were way too loose," said McMahan. "But we rolled it into the trailer with a top ten and that’s always good. That's more than I can say for my kid. He was just trying to hard to pass his Dad and messed up."
This weekend, Sean McMahan will return to action along with Bobby at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. On Saturday night the team will head to Antioch to catch up with the Golden State Challenge Series.
Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.
The Racing for the Troops team is proud to honor military veterans and active duty service members. They carry the legacy started by the late Steve Harris by educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. You can learn more about the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team including its history and its mission by visiting their website at www.racingforthetroops.com.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan
