After a sensational 2010 Traxxas TORC rookie season that saw Andrew Caddell finish with 3 wins and 7 Traxxas Maxx lap awards in his Jenkins Brothers Racing Pro-Light Dodge Ram race truck, he was eager to get the 2011 season started behind the Traxxas, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, BFGoodrich, AMSOIL, King Shocks, Simpson, SafeRacer supported Pro-Light racer.
The 2011 Traxxas TORC series opened at the famed Red Bud motocross facility in Michigan, a first time TORC venue. The beautiful Red Bud facility would have been awesome if it wasn’t for the large amount of rain the track received the week of the race that resulted in the USAC officials canceling all practices as well as qualifying.
Heading into Round 1 on Saturday, there was widespread uncertainty among the drivers due to no laps on the track. USAC held a draw for starting positions and Andrew was slotted into a 7th place starting position. The first lap saw Andrew move his Traxxas Dodge Ram up to 4th place. During the 2nd lap of the race, Andrew chose to take the right option of the split part of the track, hitting the large jump for the first time a little too fast while trying to pass another truck for 3rd place. The long and high jump sent the truck into the ground at a bad angle sending him flipping and landing the truck upside down and needing help from the hard working TORC corner workers. He was able to get back into the race and continue but had dropped a full lap behind the leaders. Andrew did finish the race in 14th place.
"What a rough start to the 2011 season," Caddell said. "I had a great start and was passing for 3rd when I made a mistake and flipped the truck. We had a winning truck today, I just made a mistake I shouldn't make. We will come back stronger tomorrow and put up a fight. I want to thank my crew and all our sponsors and congratulations to my teammate Sam Hubinette for winning in his and Dodge's first Pro-Light race!"
Round 2 on Sunday saw another muddy track after a large storm passed through overnight and no one really thought there would be racing. However, the USAC officials and track crew worked magic and got the track into good enough condition for the Pro-4 and Pro-2 drivers to complete their Round 1 races and for the Pro-Light class to complete their 2nd Round.
Starting in 14th, where he finished Round 1, Andrew picked his way through the mud and ruts around the very tough Red Bud course to move up to 7th place before the series mandated "halfway" caution period. Team Manager and radio spotter for Andrew, Ken Kinkaid (K2) told him he was going to have to get much more aggressive during the second half of the race to get a top 3, podium finish. On the restart Caddell took K2's advice and moved up to 5th place after only 2 laps. After just a couple of laps sizing up the guys in front of him, Caddell would make his move with 4 laps to go and move up to 3rd place finish on the podium. A great result after a hard fought race from starting the race in last place!
"What a race," exclaimed Caddell. "I was way too cautious before the yellow but K2 got on me and I knew what I had to do. I just put my head down and drove as hard as I could and it ended with me on the podium from starting 14th! I'm a little disappointed with myself this weekend but I know we are going to Crandon next week and that's my favorite track, I can't wait to get there!"
A video of the first couple of laps in Round 1 on Saturday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsDxchOxP14
Andrew Caddell thanks all of his 2011 supporters including:
Traxxas - BFGoodrich Tires - AMSOIL - King Racing Shocks - Simpson - SafeRacer - Aimsports
Please support them!
To contact/follow Andrew Caddell:
- Website: http://www.andrewcaddell.com/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Caddell/141189415939687
About Traxxas
Traxxas, The Fastest Name In Radio Control®, is based in Plano, Texas. Traxxas is the leader in hobby-class, radio controlled models, and has been building the world's fastest Ready-To-Race® R/C vehicles for over 24 years. Traxxas models are sold exclusively in Hobby Stores, 4-Wheel Parts, and Pep Boys, or buy online at BuyTraxxas.com
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Since the hospital was founded in 1962 by Danny Thomas, St. Jude's has made amazing advances in the treatment of pediatric diseases. In 1962, the survival rate for childhood leukemia was less than 5%; today, advances made by St. Jude Children's Hospital have ensured a survival rate of 94%. Other strides include Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (7% survival in 1962; 85% today) and brain tumors (10% in 1962; 85% today). At St. Jude's, no child is turned because of a family's inability to pay, so the support that comes from donations is essential.
To pledge your donation and help Andrew support this great cause, please visit: https://www.traxxas-stjudes.com/ and pledge a one-time donation or pledge an amount based on Andrew's TORC series accomplishments!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment