Bakersfield Speedway
September 7, 2013
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DANNY FARIA JR. SPRINTS TO BAKERSFIELD VICTORY



by Lance Jennings
BAKERSFIELD, CA – SEPTEMBER 8, 2013... After a break in the schedule, Tipton’s “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. continued his winning ways at Bakersfield Speedway. Leading all 30-laps, the USAC West Coast Sprint Car point leader claimed his second $1,500 win of the campaign. Bud Kaeding, fast qualifier Richard Vander Weerd, Jace Vander Weerd and Mike Spencer followed Danny to the checkered flags.

Starting on the pole position, Faria hit his marks throughout the Bakersfield main event. Preferring to run the bottom groove, “Hollywood” also had excellent restarts after each caution flag. With a changing track surface, Danny was able to shake free from the challenges of Austin Liggett, Brody Roa and Bud Kaeding.

Piloting his #17V Johnston Calf Pens / DeBoer & Sons Trucking Spike, “Hollywood” Danny Faria Jr. almost swept the Bakersfield program. Qualifying eighth out of 20 cars, the Evett Memorial Champion won the 8-lap D.J. Safety Heat Race #2 and scored his third Woodland Auto Display Dash victory. “Hollywood” left Bakersfield with a 44 point lead with one Weld Racing Fast Time Award, seven heat race victories, one BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Award, thirteen top-10 finishes, and 54 feature laps led to his credit.

Bud Kaeding of Campbell raced to second in the Bakersfield feature after starting fifth. Driving Piloting Junior Bowman’s #29 Buster & Ziggy Enterprises / Kaeding Performance Bullet, the defending champion was second fast in time trials, second in his heat race, and fifth in the dash. The 3-time Oval Nationals Champion has taken over second in the point chase with three heat race victories, two Woodland Auto Display Dash wins, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 7 feature laps led on the season.

Starting seventh in the main event, Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd placed third in the 30-lap main event. Racing the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, the 2011 Champion earned his series leading fourth Weld Racing Fast Time Award, ran fourth in his heat race, and claimed seventh in the dash. Now third in the standings, Vander Weerd has four main event wins, four heat race victories, two Woodland Auto Display Dash wins, one Competition Suspension Inc. / Rod End Supply Semi-Main win, two BR Motorsports / Racing Optics Hard Charger Awards, fourteen top-10 finishes, and 101 feature laps led.

Jace Vander Weerd of Visalia claimed fourth at Bakersfield Speedway. Piloting the family owned #10 Vander Weerd Construction / Stone Gate Development Maxim, the former USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year qualified third, ran fourth in his heat race, and was eighth in the dash. To date, Vander Weerd is seventh in points with three heat race victories, one Woodland Auto Display Dash win, and seven top-10 finishes on the year.

Making a rare USAC West Coast appearance, Temecula’s Mike Spencer scored fifth in the Bakersfield feature. Driving Mark Priestley’s #7M Roy Miller Freight Lines / Sander Engineering Maxim, the five-time USAC/CRA Champion was sixth quick in time trials, second in his heat race, and second in the dash.

Chris Gansen of Verdemont Heights earned the BR Motorsports / Racing Optics “Hard Charger / Best Passing Job” honors with a twelfth place run from twentieth. Racing the family owned #7G Trench Shoring / Dynamic Powder Coating Maxim, Gansen missed time trials and was sixth in his heat race. Running a limited schedule, Chris has one top-10 finish in 2013.

Ojai’s Troy Rutherford won the 8-lap Extreme Mufflers Heat Race #1. Piloting Keith Ford’s #73 Berry Pack / King Racing Products Spike, the former VRA Champion qualified tenth overall and scored fifteenth in the feature after his second stop. In limited starts, Rutherford has one feature win, as 28 feature laps led, two top-10 finishes, and one Weld Racing Fast Time Award on the season.

“The Wild Child” Chris Ennis of Bakersfield drove to victory in the Saldana Racing Products / Keizer Wheels Heat Race #3. Driving his new #86 Spy Optics / Bell Helmets Spike, Ennis was twelfth quick in time trials and placed tenth in the main event. The 2010 Rookie of the Year has two heat race victories and three top-10 finishes in the campaign.