Thunderbowl: Friday Prelim race report

First Lady Gets First Checkerd Flag at Tulare Thunderbowl

By WoO Sprint PR Tulare, CA (October 29, 2004) "The First Lady" Erin Crocker became the first female driver to win a World of Outlaws preliminary feature, passing Paul McMahan and Jac Haudenschild with four laps remaining in the World of Outlaws 25 lap preliminary feature Friday night at Thunder Bowl Speedway.

Notes:

Tim Shaffer was running 6th in heat race #2 when he pulled into the infield.

Brian Coehlo hit the wall and flipped in turn 4 at the start of heat race #4. Coelho Was uninjured.

Jason Meyers spun in turn 1 and collected Davey Key on the restart for heat race #4. Meyers was able to restart.

Donny Schatz changed engines after his heat race

Daryn Pittman changed engines after his heat race.

A-main

Lap 1--Jac Haudenschild got the jump off of turn 4 to take the lead.

Lap 3--Steve Kinser passed Jason Solwold for 5th on the top entering turn 1. With 3 laps complete, caution for Aaron Berryhill, who stopped in turn 2. Under caution, Jason Sides went to the work area.

Lap 8--Traffic. Jac Haudenschild's lead 15 carlengths over Paul McMahan

Lap 9--Caution for Tim Shaffer, who spun in turn 4

Lap 15--Traffic. Jac Haudenschild's lead 16 carlengths over Paul McMahan

Lap 21--Erin Crocker passed Paul McMahan for 3rd low in 1&2, then took the lead from Jac Haudenschild in traffic exiting turn 4

Lap 23--Steve Kinser passed Jac Haudenschild for 3rd low in 1&2

Lap 24--Paul McMahan got 3rd back from Steve Kinser low on the backstretch

Lap 25--Erin Crocker won by 10 carlengths

First female driver to ever win a World of Outlaws feature event.

Quotes

Erin Crocker

"My heart's beating pretty fast and I'm out of breath. This has been a long year, and we've been through some tough times, but Mike Woodring and my crew stuck with me. This is a rookie team with a rookie driver, and after everything we've been though, this win means the world to me! I don't know where (the winning move) it came from! I have so many people to thank for this! Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is my university, and they've been my sponsor for three years, and without them this wouldn't be possible. We have so many great associate sponsors--Car Mate Trailers, and just so many people who have helped make it possible. I'll definitely be back to Tulare!"

-woo-