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Source: Steven Blakesley
Date: October 3rd, 2008
Roseville, Calif. – A successful 2008 regular season of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and Camping World Series West racing has come to a close for Golden State Racing and its four talented drivers who race up and down California.
Two post-season events will round out the busy calendar for the Frank Jordan-owned team, with drivers 2006 SRL champion and 2007 All American Speedway champion Eric Schmidt of Roseville, 2008 All American Speedway runner-up John Moore of Granite Bay, Drive for Diversity standout Kristin Bumbera of Sealy, TX, and former open-wheel star 18 year-old Laura Hayes of Wilton.
Schmidt assumed a new role for the 2008 season, primarily handling crew chief and coaching duties for the team’s two young female racers.
When Schmidt did get behind the wheel, he showed amazing speed. Schmidt wowed local fans by running up near the front of the field for the entire
NASCAR Camping World Series West event at All American Speedway. The March race was Schmidt’s debut appearance in the series.
Schmidt then assumed his advisory role as the team embarked on the very busy weekly Western Late Model schedule at the speedway. A 23 race schedule was up ahead for the talented trio of drivers.
Moore came out of the gate quickly, scoring two runner-up finishes in the first three races. After putting together five runner-up finishes, Moore finally visited victory lane on June 7 and began to embark on a championship run.
Moore proceeded to score two more wins, and rack up 18 top-fives and 20 top-tens. When it was all said and done, Moore ended up 33rd in the NASCAR National standings and seventh in the California state standings. He finished tied for first in the All American Speedway track championship.
Bumbera adapted to the west coast racing style quickly, and had no problem getting top-tens. Her season saw her come home seventh in the division standings, along with a 20th place ranking in the state and 118th nationally.
She saw victory lane twice in her campaign.
Hayes accent to the top was exciting for many Roseville fans, as she went from an open-wheel star into a legitimate Late Model threat every week.
Her adaptation saw her go from being in the b-main on the first event, to end up recording a win and 12 top-fives, along with 18 top-tens. Hayes was 98th in the nation at the final tally and 15th in the state, earning her a bid in the Drive for Diversity program for 2009.
Schmidt had another shot behind the wheel in the NASCAR Camping World Series event at Irwindale in July. Mechanical problems ended the run prematurely with a 29th place finish.
The Golden State Racing team now directs its attention towards a few post-season events, with Eric Schmidt slated to drive in the Western Late Model at Altamont Raceway Park on Saturday and Sunday in the Big Dog Nationals event.
On October 24 and 25, Laura Hayes will race in the Westcar Late Model Series event at All American Speedway, which carries a $4500 to win purse.
Both non-points events are expected to attract over 30 competitors from all over California and Nevada.
Stay tuned for the exciting racing plans for the 2009 season for Golden State Racing.
Golden State Racing is online at www.goldenstateracing.com
Golden State Racing is supported by: AT&T, Yellowpages.com, Inventory Sales Company, JM Environmental, TXI – Riverside Concrete Company, Long Engine Systems, Higgins Hardwood, Harris Industrial Gases, Gone Racin’, and Blakesley Sports Media.
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