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“I enjoyed, learned, and experienced so much in the 2008 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge |
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Caddell Sings in the New Jersey Motorsports Park Rain to Take Mustang Challenge VictoryMay 03, 2009 Millville, NJ (3 May 2009) – Sunday’s Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race at New Jersey Motorsports Park marked the first race to be run in the rain in series young history, but one would never know that to watch it, as the field raced like seasoned pros, getting the 40-minute sprint event off to a clean start and running the full distance to the checkered flag under green flag conditions as several thrilling battles were staged throughout the field. Joining Caddell on the Mustang Challenge podium were two drivers making their debut appearances in the post-race champagne and trophy celebrations, as Jason von Kluge finished second with Dan Aweida fighting his way to take third after the trio had a race-long battle with Ted Anthony Jr, who came home in fourth. Steve Phillips’ gutsy pre-race call to run the race on dry-condition BFGoodrich g-Force R-1 tires netted him yet another top-five finish, as the rest of the field made the most of the BFGoodrich KDW precipitation tire. Pratt Cole held off young Ben Crosland at the checkered flag to take sixth, as Homestead pole winner Joe Lee Middlebrooks brought his Metro Motorsports Mustang home in eighth ahead of George Winkler, with Brad Adams rounding out the top ten finishers. The win was a welcome points boost for Caddell, who has now made five runs to the podium in Mustang Challenge competition in 2009. “We had a good car ready to go for a dry, but it was also just great in the rain and Kaufman Racing just had the car completely hooked up and I could put it anywhere I wanted to,” said Caddell. “Ted was right there with me at the start, but I was just trying to get a good gap and then maintain the lead, so this turned out to be a good points day for us. I think we’ve got our mojo back!” Flying Horse Motorsports pilot Aweida was thrilled with his race, having diced his way to the podium and enjoying every lap along the way after narrowly avoiding a problem just moments before the race start. “I spun on the out lap before we came to the grid-and it was a good indication of how really slippery it was out there,” said Aweida, who had also set a career-best qualifying result on Saturday. “So that got my attention and I put that to use in the race. I haven’t run in the rain for a long time, but I love to race out in it, you have to be so precise. And it was a really tight race, so to race my way ahead and get up here on the podium is great.” Starting from the front row, Anthony Jr. had high hopes for reducing his points deficit to Caddell in the championship, but will now have to focus on the next race out West to do that after coming home 4th at the checkered flag. “It was not an ideal day for us,” said Anthony Jr. “Even though I’m from Seattle and I love running in the rain, the car was just a roller skate today and there was nothing I could do. I tried to hold those guys (Aweida and Von Kluge) off, but they got me at the end. If this would have been a drifting competition, I’d have been all set, Vaughn Gittin Jr. style, just sideways! Jason and Dan pushed me the whole time, and Andrew just put on a clinic out there. We’ll get them next time.” Special Awards: The New Jersey Motorsports Round was a fruitful one for von Kluge, who not only got to hoist his first Mustang Challenge trophy on the day, but he also scored two BFGoodrich Tires as his run from tenth to 2nd at the finish netted him the BFGoodrich “Take Control” Award in the post-race ceremonies. Winkler Takes “Go Pro Be A Hero” Honors—George Winkler won the GoPro “Be A Hero” award for his sportsmanship and dedication to the Mustang Challenge Series. Thanks to the corner workers and staff at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Round 6 of the Mustang Challenge championship will be staged in two weeks time at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. |
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I am just a businessman who went to a corporate driving school at Sebring and got hooked. Raced in the Panoz Racing Series 2004 to 2007, Mx-5 Cup Series 2007 to 2008 and the Mustang Challenge 20008, as well as, numerous SCCA Endurance Races 2006 to 2008 Favorite Track: Sebring International Raceway
Grand-Am, now owned by NASCAR, is in it’s 10th season and is universally regarded as one of the world's most competitive road racing organizations. |
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