The Hoosier Race Report: This Bud’s for You

By Danny Burton

Danny Burton’s Hoosier Race Report appears courtesy of OpenWheelRacers.com

Columbus, IN… Here they were, the same old highways, the same old cornfields, and the same old horizon off in the Indiana landscape. Oh, and same old standing water from our recent storms. It sounded like a weary scene as I drove north and west to one of our treasured American short tracks, the Terre Haute Action Track. But it was far from that; instead I was curious as most always, watching for the imperceptible changes in the Hoosier countryside and anticipating another fine opening night at a favorite track of mine. As it turned out, not only were my expectations met, so were those of Bud Kaeding and his Scott Benic race team as they took advantage of others’ misfortunes to win the MSCS feature on Saturday night, April 8. Neither cold weather, too many flips, nor a track that wasn’t in the greatest shape (thanks entirely to the weather), would stop young Mr. Kaeding or several hardy race fans from enjoying the night.

51 sprint cars were on hand with five heats scheduled. The top three would head for the feature with all others getting the privilege of running either a “C” or “B” Main. Kent Christian, in the Miller 4M instead of the familiar 1C, won the first heat over Brady Short and Kenny Carmichael Sr., who made a last lap pass for that spot. Jon Stanbrough won the second heat with Bud Kaeding and Todd Chandler trailing. The third heat was stopped for a Daron Clayton flip as he ran over the right rear tire of Justin Marvel; it was the Missouri kid’s second tumble in two weeks. Again, he would be okay but done for the night. Marvel was parked as well while Ryan Pace won with Derek O’Dell second. Doug Heck was third. Rob Botts’ turn to flip came in the fourth heat; he was a bit, uh, shaken, but would be okay. Dickie Gaines ran off with the win as Critter Malone was second and Chase Stockon was third. Tumbling wasn’t over as Josh Sloan flipped in the fifth and last heat. He was not hurt but was also done for the night. Jay Drake won this heat, leading Dave Darland and Mat Neely, now in one of the 24 hour Truckers’ cars (Marvel was in the team car), across the line.

I stood with Bryan Clausen in the pits as he somewhat apprehensively waited for the C Main lineup. We agreed that he would have to pass a lot of cars to even make the B, and he did. Not only did he do that but the kid now from Noblesville, Indiana finished third in the B main, making it to the feature. Alex Shanks won the semi, with Jon Sciscoe, Brent Beauchamp, and young Mr. Clausen among those moving to the feature.

Pace and Christian made up the front row for the main, followed by Stanbrough, Gaines, Drake, Short, Kaeding, Darland, Malone, and O’Dell.

Speculating with my buddies before the race, the only best guess would be that Christian might take the early lead, but would then have his hands full. We were wrong again as Pace took off and led briefly, but Stanbrough took a big lead until an early caution for Todd Chandler, who stopped on the track. Gaines had settled into second and was slowly starting to eat into the lead as the yellow waved. On the restart they were trailed by Pace, Darland, Drake, Kaeding, O’Dell, Short, Christian, Sciscoe (from 17th already), Malone, Shanks, and Neely. At the halfway mark it was still pretty much the same but Gaines was right behind Stanbrough now with Pace, Kaeding, Darland, Drake, Sciscoe and O’Dell trailing. And then the defining moment of the race happened.

It was one of those incidents where each witness has their own version. Did Dickie chop down or did Jon get into the back of the Roberts 21X? Gaines had just taken the lead and Stanbrough sat up a bit straighter in the seat, and they tangled going into turn one. Was it deliberate? I’d doubt if, but who knows? In incidents like this, only one person knows and they seldom tell. It’s as old as racing itself.

Bottom line was that Pace was now the leader, with Kaeding, Darland, Drake, Sciscoe, Christian, Neely, Short, O’Dell, and Clausen in the mix. Gaines was finished for the night and Stanbrough went to the tail of the field. But on the restart the kid from California, who had impressed all night, spun in turn four while leading. This put another California transplant into a lead he would not give up.

One more caution for O’Dell and the stage was set for a nice finish, THAT style. The curfew was looming large and at some point in the race the distance was shortened to 22 laps instead of 25. This may have been good for Kaeding because at the end of the race Sciscoe was on the move. Fourth on the last restart, he passed USAC bad boys Drake and Darland and was closing on Kaeding at the end. Again, the age old question of what might have been would be asked again, especially by Jon Sciscoe and many race fans.

Kent Christian came back to take third at the line over Darland and Drake. Neely, Short, Shanks, Stanbrough, and Malone rounded out the top 10. The feature checkered at 11:30 p.m. as John Hoover and I made our way to congratulate the winner, Hoosier Auto Race Fan membership and t-shirt in hand.

Elsewhere in Indiana, Lawrenceburg fell victim to the weather, despite Tom Wieck’s best efforts, as did Brownstown. Lincoln Park, Shadyhill, and Gas City did have afternoon practice sessions.

For the coming week, both Bloomington and Lawrenceburg beckon. But they need not beckon too much. I plan to be there. But they do have a tough act to follow in both Terre Haute and Bud Kaeding.

Not putting away those winter clothes just yet, I’m…

Danny Burton

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