Bud Kaeding gets set for busy stretch of events looking to continue solid 2011 campaign
By Gary Thomas
Campbell, CA – July 27, 2011…Former three-time USAC Silver Crown Series champion Bud Kaeding is geared up for an action-packed next few weeks of racing and gets it all started during this Thursday’s “J.D. Byrider 100” at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.
Kaeding has once again competed in a diverse schedule of racing throughout the 2011 season, which has included 410/360 Winged and Non-Winged Sprint Car events, as well as running with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series.
Some of his biggest success so far this year has come with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprints, a series that he has captured four victories with aboard the Buster & Ziggy Enterprise, Kaeding Performance, High Five Pizza No. 29 Maxim.
The veteran has been dominant with the West Coast 360’s this year and has moved into a tie for second on the all-time win list with the club following his four wins.
In May Kaeding also had another outstanding night without the wing while competing with the USAC/CRA 410 Sprints at the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford.
During that night he was forced to the rear of the field in the early going of the feature, before storming back through the pack and scoring a stunning victory with a late pass of Danny Faria Jr.
In addition to those triumphs the Campbell charger has also tallied a pair of wins with the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo, with those coming at the Ocean Speedway on May 6 and the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway on May 21.
The three-time Oval Nationals winner has also made a handful of starts with the King of the West 410 Series and picked up a best finish of sixth during those outings. Kaeding also captured a victory in Australia during his time down under at the Marybouro Speedway to give him eight wins thus far in 2011.
Kaeding went into the season though looking to bring home a fourth title with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series and through the first three races of the year currently sits in a tie for fourth in the standings, just 15-points behind leader Jerry Coons Jr.
The first few events have seen the 31-year-old tally finishes of fourth, fifth and sixth and will be searching for his first win of the year on Thursday at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Going into the night Kaeding is tied with Levi Jones in the standings and is only three-markers behind third place Tanner Swanson and four back of second place Bobby East in a tightly knit race.
"Cox Design Iowa Speed Weeks" fast approaching-
After Thursday’s Silver Crown event Kaeding will get prepared for the 21st annual “Arnold Motor Supply 360 Nationals” at the Knoxville Raceway on August 4-6. The finale of the three-day shootout will pay $10,000 to the winner.
On Sunday night he will then take off the wing and look to defend his victory from a year ago at the “USAC Non-Wing Knoxville Nationals.” The Campbell racer last season qualified second quick, won his heat race and then held off Brady Bacon in the later stages of the feature to scoop up his first career win at the famed Knoxville Raceway.
The following night on Monday August 8 he will head for the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa for the 16th annual “Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge presented by Casey’s General Stores." One night later he will switch back to wingless for the 10th annual “Casey’s Ultimate Challenge presented by Searsboro Telephone Company” on Tuesday August 9.
“We’re really excited about trying to defend our wins in the USAC race at Knoxville and of course the Ultimate Challenge at Osky,” said Kaeding, who beat out a stout top-five at last year’s Ultimate Challenge that also included Bryan Clauson, Levi Jones, Damion Gardner and Dave Darland. “Those were definitely a couple of the biggest wins I’ve had so far in my career and are two great ones to have on your resume.”
All of those events are a lead-up to the 51st annual “Goodyear Knoxville Nationals” at the Knoxville Raceway on August 10-13. The four-day extravaganza features a purse that is over $1,000,000 strong and awards Saturday’s winner a staggering $150,000. Kaeding will join a number of California drivers hoping to break their way into Saturday’s 40-lap A-main and challenge for the big money.
More information on Campbell, California’s Bud Kaeding can be found at http://www.budkaedingracing.com and more info on these upcoming shows that make up “Iowa Speedweek” can be found at http://www.oskychallenges.com/default.aspx and http://www.knoxvilleraceway.com
In just over a week Bud Kaeding will look to defend his wins from last year at the "USAC Non-Winged Knoxville Nationals" and the "Casey's Ultimate Challenge" at Oskaloosa. The three-time Oval Nationals winner is shown here in Ultimate Challenge victory lane last August at Osky after winning $15,000. Photo by PitPrincess.com
- Gary Thomas on Jul 27, 2011
- Article Date: 7/27/2011 by Gary Thomas