Final Notes from Friday at Kansas Speedway 9pm
Final Notes from Friday at Kansas Speedway 9pm
KANSAS CITY, Kansas – The final practice came and went Friday after noon and the drama for the 2006 USAC Silver Crown championship grew even more. All season Brian Tyler has fought with Bud Kaeding for the points lead. Now, on the eve of the final race of the year, what looked like an easy championship just turned the other direction for Bud Kaeding. The California native qualified 3rd quick for Saturday’s race while Tyler and crew struggled with their car. The tables turned in the final practice session. Bud Kaeding rolled in to the pits near the end of the practice session with engine problems. Something wasn’t right. I didn’t want to bother the crew who were working on the engine so I can’t tell you exactly what the problem is, I just know they were working on the engine. I will follow up on that tomorrow. Meanwhile over in the 21 pit, Brian Tyler and his team are happy with their car. The team made adjustments following qualifying 11th. The USAC veteran told me that the car is great and he thinks he has a chance of winning the race and the championship Saturday. The No. 00 driven by Wayne Reutiman Jr. also reported that they have also remedied their gremlins and are ready for Saturday. The Carl Edwards/ R.E. Technologies Racing team was happy with their car and did not practice. Jay Drake led the final practice session while Pablo Donoso and Aaron Pierce were second and third respectively.
Information Overload
The following information could make your head spin. Bud Kaeding can claim the championship if he finishes 7th or better regardless of what Brian Tyler does. If Tyler leads the most laps and wins then Kaeding must finish 8th to tie. If neither lead the most laps but Tyler wins then Kaeding must finish 9th to tie. If Kaeding leads the most laps but falls back to finish 10th and Tyler wins then they are tied. The tiebreaker would be determined by most wins.
If Tyler wins Kansas, then they would be tied for wins and the champion would be determined by most second place finishes. Brian Tyler has the most second place finishes two to one. Does your head hurt yet?
Off the Market
Some of you guys out there have a thing for USAC Thunder pit reporter Brienne Pedigo. Yes she is a hottie. I have some bad news for you. She is now off the market. Ms. Pedigo got engaged sometime in the last month. We at Open Wheeler offer her congratulations and wish her the best. For more on Brienne, go to http://www.briennepedigo.com
No Repeat
It was chilly this morning but warmed up to comfortable temps later Friday. The forecast calls for the low over night to be 54. Saturday the temps will climb up to a warm 82 before dropping to 59 Saturday night. Oh yea, there is no chance for rain. J
All the people
It is interesting all of the people crowding around the Cup drivers as they made a quick walk from the cup garage to the media center. Some of those folks were down right crazy standing three deep in line, all wanting a piece of the drivers. But hey, this is their vacation. They spent a lot of money to get there. This is what they like to do. Still, it is a different world from the lonely dirt track on a Saturday night.
Kahne on the Pole
It was only a few years ago that Kasey Kahne was winning races in the USAC Silver Crown Series. Kahne grabbed the pole today for Sunday’s Cup race turning a time of 30.273 at 178.377mph. 2003 USAC Triple Crown Champ JJ Yeley timed in 5th quick.
Cup Qualifying
1. Kasey Kahne
5. JJ Yeley
11. Jeff Gordon
15. Ryan Newman
17. Dave Blaney
21. Tony Stewart
27. Carl Edwards
33. Casey Mears
36. Ken Schrader
42. Robby Gordon
Note: Open Wheeler and its publisher are not employed by USAC nor do they claim to represent the United States Auto Club. We just attempt to do independent reporting on the sanctioning body.
Images in this update courtesy of www.briennepedigo.com and RE Technologies.
KANSAS CITY, Kansas – The final practice came and went Friday after noon and the drama for the 2006 USAC Silver Crown championship grew even more. All season Brian Tyler has fought with Bud Kaeding for the points lead. Now, on the eve of the final race of the year, what looked like an easy championship just turned the other direction for Bud Kaeding. The California native qualified 3rd quick for Saturday’s race while Tyler and crew struggled with their car. The tables turned in the final practice session. Bud Kaeding rolled in to the pits near the end of the practice session with engine problems. Something wasn’t right. I didn’t want to bother the crew who were working on the engine so I can’t tell you exactly what the problem is, I just know they were working on the engine. I will follow up on that tomorrow. Meanwhile over in the 21 pit, Brian Tyler and his team are happy with their car. The team made adjustments following qualifying 11th. The USAC veteran told me that the car is great and he thinks he has a chance of winning the race and the championship Saturday. The No. 00 driven by Wayne Reutiman Jr. also reported that they have also remedied their gremlins and are ready for Saturday. The Carl Edwards/ R.E. Technologies Racing team was happy with their car and did not practice. Jay Drake led the final practice session while Pablo Donoso and Aaron Pierce were second and third respectively.
Information Overload
The following information could make your head spin. Bud Kaeding can claim the championship if he finishes 7th or better regardless of what Brian Tyler does. If Tyler leads the most laps and wins then Kaeding must finish 8th to tie. If neither lead the most laps but Tyler wins then Kaeding must finish 9th to tie. If Kaeding leads the most laps but falls back to finish 10th and Tyler wins then they are tied. The tiebreaker would be determined by most wins.
If Tyler wins Kansas, then they would be tied for wins and the champion would be determined by most second place finishes. Brian Tyler has the most second place finishes two to one. Does your head hurt yet?
Off the Market
Some of you guys out there have a thing for USAC Thunder pit reporter Brienne Pedigo. Yes she is a hottie. I have some bad news for you. She is now off the market. Ms. Pedigo got engaged sometime in the last month. We at Open Wheeler offer her congratulations and wish her the best. For more on Brienne, go to http://www.briennepedigo.com
No Repeat
It was chilly this morning but warmed up to comfortable temps later Friday. The forecast calls for the low over night to be 54. Saturday the temps will climb up to a warm 82 before dropping to 59 Saturday night. Oh yea, there is no chance for rain. J
All the people
It is interesting all of the people crowding around the Cup drivers as they made a quick walk from the cup garage to the media center. Some of those folks were down right crazy standing three deep in line, all wanting a piece of the drivers. But hey, this is their vacation. They spent a lot of money to get there. This is what they like to do. Still, it is a different world from the lonely dirt track on a Saturday night.
Kahne on the Pole
It was only a few years ago that Kasey Kahne was winning races in the USAC Silver Crown Series. Kahne grabbed the pole today for Sunday’s Cup race turning a time of 30.273 at 178.377mph. 2003 USAC Triple Crown Champ JJ Yeley timed in 5th quick.
Cup Qualifying
1. Kasey Kahne
5. JJ Yeley
11. Jeff Gordon
15. Ryan Newman
17. Dave Blaney
21. Tony Stewart
27. Carl Edwards
33. Casey Mears
36. Ken Schrader
42. Robby Gordon
Note: Open Wheeler and its publisher are not employed by USAC nor do they claim to represent the United States Auto Club. We just attempt to do independent reporting on the sanctioning body.
Images in this update courtesy of www.briennepedigo.com and RE Technologies.
posted by Blake Johnson at 9:51 PM
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