Anthony Goes Flag to Flag for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Victory

May 17, 2009

Monterey, CA (17 May 2009) –  Ted Anthony Jr. returned to the top step of the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge podium on Sunday after converting his pole position into a convincing race victory at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as he finished 1.715-seconds ahead of Andrew Caddell to score his fourth win of the season. Jim Click Racing’s Mike McGovern rounded out the podium ceremonies after coming home third at the checkered flag.

Dan Aweida finished fourth and Jason von Kluge took fifth as both drivers backed up their debut podium appearances at New Jersey Motorsports Park with encore strong runs as Mustang Challenge made its first race visit to the Monterey peninsula.

The race win went to Anthony Jr, but not before he managed to fend off the advances of Caddell, who started from the back of the field and moved up to score yet another podium result as he chases a second Mustang Challenge Championship.

As the field roared to life at the drop of the green flag for the 40-minute race, Caddell made an impression as quickly as he could, moving to 12th on the first lap and then up to the top ten before moving into the top 6 by lap three, and then up into podium contention by lap 4. But his charge to a win stopped at second place as Anthony Jr. matched him lap for lap to hold off his fellow Washing state native to lead every lap on his way to scoring a win.

“He got that yellow and so the next thing you know, he’s right behind me and I was thinking, ‘that didn’t take long!’ said Anthony. “But we had really even cars and I was able to just keep my head down on the restart and held him off so it feels great to get another win. I know that it won’t make a big dent in the points like I wanted, but I’m still going to enjoy this win today!”

Caddell, who teamed with Mike McGovern in a Jim Click Racing Mustang FR500C to score 4th in Saturday’s KONI Challenge race, knew that he had some work to do as the race opened up and things went almost exactly according to plan.  Almost.

“He ran a really defensive line once I got up there and I just was thinking about the points the whole time,” said Caddell. “We raced really close but I didn’t want to get penalized or make contact. The Kaufman Racing guys did a great job. It’s frustrating to move up that far and not get a win but I had a lot of fun and made a lot of passes out there so it was a good day.
Caddell’s KONI Challenge Co-driver was also looking for more on Sunday, but had to live out the old racing adage of ‘In order to finish first, you first must finish.’

“I went to the brake pedal on that restart, and there was just a tone of smoke coming out,” said McGovern. “We must have knocked something loose to have that happen. But from there, I just had to baby the brakes to make sure we had enough to get to the finish. Congrats to Ted and Andrew-I learned a lot racing with him yesterday. Also a huge thanks to the Jim Click Racing guys –they worked so hard this week. I’m really proud of what they did this week.”

Special Awards:
While Anthony is on a bit of a tear, taking five wins in the last seven Mustang Challenge races, Dan Aweida is on his own hot streak. The Colorado racer put his Flying Horse Motorsports Mustang on the podium at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and then backed up that performance by moving up 11 positions from the start of the race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to score the BFGoodrich “Take Control” Award on Sunday.

Von Kluge Back On Podium to Take “Go Pro Be A Hero” Honors—
Jason von Kluge could get used to this—he was called back to be part of the podium ceremonies after being tapped for the GoPro “Be A Hero” award for his sportsmanship and dedication to the Mustang Challenge Series. 
Thanks to the corner workers and staff at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Round 7 of the Mustang Challenge championship will be staged north of the border as the series returns to Mosport International Raceway.
Ford Racing Mustang Challenge
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Round 6/10-May 17
Pos   No.  Class   PIC   Name   Laps   Total Tm   Diff   Best Tm   In Lap   Avg. Speed   Car   Team   Sponsor
1   9   Mustang   1   Ted Anthony Jr   23   41:22.445     1:39.589   14   74.647   Mustang   TC Motorsports   TC Motorsports
2   1   Mustang   2   Andrew Caddell   23   41:24.160   1.715   1:39.697   14   74.595   Mustang   Kaufmann Racing   Raybestos/ Hoek’d Up Performance
3   55   Mustang   3   Mike McGovern   23   41:42.850   20.405   1:40.908   18   74.038   Mustang   Jim Click Racing   Jim Click Racing/ Valvoline
4   17   Mustang   4   Dan Aweida   23   41:43.769   21.324   1:40.207   9   74.011   Mustang   Flying Horse Motorsports   Flying Horse Motorsports
5   19   Mustang   5   Jason von Kluge   23   41:51.714   29.269   1:41.349   9   73.777   Mustang   Rehagen Racing   Green Filter USA
6   45   Mustang   6   Ben Crosland   23   41:54.882   32.437   1:41.268   10   73.684   Mustang   SpeedWorks   Interbank FX
7   75   Mustang   7   Brad Adams   23   42:03.826   41.381   1:41.811   11   73.423   Mustang   RP Motorsports   WesternMetalsTrans/LaPointeFord/USACaresForLife
8   24   Mustang   8   John McKenna Jr   23   42:13.680   51.235   1:42.056   11   73.137   Mustang   McKenna Racing   McKenna Racing
9   54   Mustang   9   Jim Click   23   42:22.415   59.970   1:42.511   22   72.886   Mustang   Jim Click Racing   Jim Click Racing/ Valvoline
10   22   Mustang   10   Steve Phillips   23   42:22.832   1:00.387   1:41.194   16   72.874   Mustang   Capaldi Racing   Old South Land Services
11   12   Mustang   11   George Winkler   23   42:23.603   1:01.158   1:41.577   9   72.852   Mustang   Winkler Racing   Winkler Automotive Service Center
12   33   Mustang   12   Zach Lutz   23   42:25.057   1:02.612   1:42.133   12   72.810   Mustang   Lutz Motorsports Industries   JC Concrete/ Jacky Jones Ford
13   5   Mustang   13   Andrew Hendricks   23   42:31.520   1:09.075   1:41.761   2   72.626   Mustang   StableOne Racing   StableOne Racing
14   44   Mustang   14   Ed Lever   23   42:52.987   1:30.542   1:43.521   9   72.020   Mustang   SpeedWorks R&D   Racing Physics
15   88   Mustang   15   Pratt Cole   20   42:00.758   3 Laps   1:41.368   7   63.924   Mustang   RP Motorsports   WesternMetalsTrans/LaPointeFord/USACaresForLife
16   8   Mustang   16   Steve Miller   18   33:25.572   5 Laps   1:41.191   12   72.310   Mustang   TC Motorsports   TC Motorsports
17   7   Mustang   17   D Rick Edwards   18   35:22.316   5 Laps   1:41.591   2   68.332   Mustang   TC Motorsports   TC Motorsports/ Edwardsdds.com
About Ford Racing Mustang Challenge:
The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge is a new professional racing series co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park. Utilizing the new Ford Mustang FR500S and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, the Mustang Challenge series is a support series to major professional road racing events across North America.  Mustang Challenge is an affordable, challenging platform for racers who want to compete in a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive car on a level playing field that showcases driver ability in high-profile events. A competitive point structure and generous purses make the Mustang Challenge The Place to Race!

LHM

Every car in the 2009 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge championship carries a small black “LHM“ decal to commemorate the passion, vision, and commitment that Larry H Miller had for Ford and the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge is just one of the countless living legacies of Mr. Miller, and the drivers, team, and fans of the Mustang Challenge are proud to honor his memory and carry on his passion. Thank you, Mr. Miller

http://www.mustangchallenge.com

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