Kaeding first at Kaeding Classic

WATSONVILLE — Race fans packed the house Friday and Saturday night for the Howard Kaeding Classic at Ocean Speedway.

The open wheel extravaganza featured the United States Auto Club’s Western Classic sprint car series and USAC’s Western States Midget Tour Friday night and the King of the West winged sprint car series Saturday night.

Brent Kaeding, the eldest of the Kaeding sons, opened the weekend that honors his father by winning USAC’s Western Classic series 30-lap main event for traditional non-wing sprint cars.

“I’m very happy to claim this win that honors my dad,” Kaeding said. “His attitude to achieve success has permeated each of our generations.”

His sons, Bud and Tim, are also carrying the family’s legacy. Bud is a three-time USAC Silver Crown Champion. He has 10 sprint car wins this season and is tied for the top spot in national sprint car rankings. His older brother Tim equaled his father’s accomplishments Friday night by winning his third World of Outlaw feature in Cedar Lake, Iowa. He’s also a King of California sprint car champion.

Approaching 80, Howard Kaeding’s career spans 45 years. He’s competed in 2,500 races and has won approximately 10 percent of his main events. He was also a four-time Johnny Key Memorial winner and a four-time California State NASCAR champion.

Placerville’s Kyle Hirst was a bridesmaid for the second time in a week to the 13-time King of California champion. Kaeding led Hirst across the line in round 13 of the King of the West feature at Placerville Speedway on June 30.

Morgan Hill’s Eric Rossi finished third, the only other local driver finishing in the top five. Ocean’s local Taco Bravo racers Tommy LaLiberte and Jerry Bonnema finished sixth and ninth, respectively.

The division’s fast qualifier, Ryan Bernal, Ocean’s Taco Bravo series leader Shane Golobic and Bud Kaeding were involved in a crash on lap three, eliminating them from the competition.

Bernal, 18, is currently the track’s youngest champion. He won his first title and rookie honors at 14 in Ocean’s non-wing spec-sprint division and a second title at 16.

The qualifying heat races were won by Golobic, Bernal and Hirst.

Two ladies, Shana Hogg and Shannon McQueen, are the current point leaders in USAC’s Western Classic and Western States Midget series.



For the complete article see the 07-10-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 07-10-2012 paper.

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