NASCAR WWEST: Raudman Happy with Sears Point Performance

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 29, 2001

Rancho Santa Margarita, California - Craig Raudman, driver of Dave Reed Racing's #2 Yerf-dog Fun Karts/ITPS/Kingston Chevrolet in the Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring and NASCAR Winston West Series, was happy to add another podium finish to his 2001 collection last weekend in the Snap-On Tools 200 at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

Raudman finished in third place, but the day could have ended in disaster.

Raudman had a strong car and was running with the leaders when he was collected in an accident midway through the event. His car sustained damage to the left front suspension, resulting in handling difficulties throughout the remainder of the race.

"Of course we were shooting for the win," said Raudman, "but since that wasn't in the stars, we were happy to finish as well as we did and preserve our points position."

Raudman is in second place in the point standings as the series heads next to Mesa Marin Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif. for this Saturday's "Community Recycling 150." He is positioned to overtake the points lead this weekend in the aftermath of M.K. Kanke's injuries suffered in an accident during qualifying last weekend at Sears Point.

"Whether it's me or someone else taking the lead in points this weekend, I think we all have mixed emotions about inheriting it this way. All of us in the series are there for the same reason...to win races, but I have lead the points before, then lost it, so I know what that feels like. I have also been injured and forced to sit on the sidelines while the season passes me by, so I know what that feels like, too. Kanke and I have been competing hard against each other all year, and loving every minute of it. We all hope he gets back in the mix soon, so we can get back to racing."

Team owner Dave Reed agrees with Raudman, "We always look forward to racing with Mike. He is a clean, fair racer, and we always know we have our work cut out for us when we're competing against him. His accident is doubly unfortunate, since he was doing so well this season. It really seemed like it was going to be his year."

Mesa Marin is one of Raudman's strongest tracks, one on which he has logged endless laps in Late Model, Southwest Series and Winston West cars.

In his most recent visit to the 1/2-mile oval, Raudman made history with his qualifying run by setting a record-breaking string of five consecutive Bud Pole Awards. He finished the event in fifth place.

Raudman's 2001 season to date has been very successful, with two wins and five top-five finishes added to his stat sheet.

Dave Reed Racing operates NASCAR Winston West and Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring teams featuring Craig Raudman as driver. Raudman has collected nine wins and thirteen Bud Pole Awards throughout his Southwest Series career, and finished in the top five in final points standings in four of his past five full Southwest Series seasons.

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