NASCAR Touring: Raudman Sets Ambitious Schedule for Mesa Marin
18 October 2000
Rancho Santa Margarita, California (October 17, 2000) - Craig Raudman, driver of the #2 Yerf-dog Fun Karts/ITPS Chevrolet in the Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring and NASCAR Winston West Series, will support Mesa Marin's 24th Annual October Classic end-to-end, with events and racing planned throughout the week. This year's October Classic includes three days of racing action from this coming Friday through Sunday at the Bakersfield 1/2-mile oval. First up on the racing front will be Friday's Super TT Motorcycle Series race. While not the usual circuit for one of NASCAR's proven touring series talents, Raudman has plenty of experience with motorcycles. Prior to his career as a stock car racer, Raudman spent the 1970's and early 1980's competing in motocross in Southern California, winning about 45 races. Friday evening, look for Raudman in the #12 car in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model event. Raudman will be showcasing a car from the Victory Circle stable in the 200-lap event. A couple of weeks ago, Raudman set fast time, then finished second in the Late Model race at Mesa Marin. Always a front-runner at Mesa Marin, Raudman feels confident about making a good showing in Saturday's Southwest Series event, the Terry Lumber 200, and Sunday's Winston West Spears Manufacturing 250. Raudman has set fast time twice at Mesa Marin, and qualified second fastest in the March Southwest Series event. He has one Southwest Series win, the May 1996 300-lap event. "These are long races for us," Raudman commented. "The cars will have to be prepared right and be sound mechanically in order to go the distance. Saving tires will be a big factor, too, so we have something left for the last 30 or 40 laps." He continued, "We're here for the win, since we're not running the full season. That, and showcasing the Victory Circle cars are high on our list." Raudman and Dave Reed Racing have run limited schedules throughout the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Raudman is a big supporter of the October Classic, and is expected to make a number of appearances at promotions locally throughout the week. "It's the biggest racing event in the Bakersfield area," Raudman said. "It's exciting, and a good time. The three days of great racing and lots of promotional opportunities for both Mesa Marin." Fans can find Raudman this Tuesday at the FoodsCo at Rosedale and Coffee from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, look for Raudman at the White Lane Big O Tire store from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. On Thursday from 12:00-7:00 p.m., Raudman will celebrate the opening of the new Victory Circle and Dave Reed Racing facilities. Fans are welcome to join in the fun and tour the new facilities. The two new shops are side-by-side at 700 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in Bakersfield. Raudman owned and operated Victory Circle, the West's premier touring car chassis shop, from 1995 to June of this year. He recently sold the shop to Bakersfield businessman Les DenHerder, in order to focus on his racing career. Raudman is very involved in the day-to-day operations at Victory Circle, and in his capacity as Director, Research and Development. Fans should also be on the lookout for the Yerf-dog Fun Kart booth at Mesa Marin, as the team's weekend will culminate in a Yerf-Dog Fun Kart giveaway. Speedvision will televise the Spears Manufacturing 250 on a tape-delay basis at 6:00 p.m. PST on November 13. Dave Reed Racing operates NASCAR Winston West and Featherlite Southwest Series, NASCAR Touring teams featuring Craig Raudman as driver. His results for the 2000 season to date include one win, one top five finish and one Bud Pole Award. Raudman finished in the top five in final points standings in four of his past five full NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series seasons.