8/8/2009
Sprint Source
Camron Mendes continues to roll
[b Despite adversities, Mendes continues to advance in area sprint point standings]
[i By Bill Sullivan, Sullivan Images Media]
[b PLACERVIILLE, CA –] The summer months are nearing their end but Rohnert Park’ s Camron Mendes is far from completing his mission for the 2009 racing season. After a 12th place finish last weekend at Placerville Speedway, Mendes now maintains a top 12 status in two of Northern California’s most competitive sprint car campaigns.
The Cardinal Newman Catholic High School Senior is now 12th in the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series and maintains the 9th position in weekly Red Hawk Casino championship series at Placerville Speedway. This weekend, Mendes and his JMS Motorsports team will take a break from the track to gear up for the final weeks towards the Placerville Speedway 2009 championship.
“We’ve had our share of issues the past couple of races,” said Mendes. “Considering those events we are doing pretty well as a team and holding our own in the top ten at Placerville. I’m definitely looking to advance in the standings in the final weeks ahead.”
Mendes’ most recent event was the Sixth Annual Tribute to Al Hinds Civil War Race at Placerville last Saturday night. This annual event pays tribute to the late promoter and pioneer of the local track and Mendes participated in the all day festivities leading up to the race. After spending the day at Family Chevrolet in Shingle Springs meeting fans and enjoying a free bbq, Mendes headed to the quarter-mile bullring locked and loaded for action against Northern California’s best drivers.
“We had a lot of fun during the day at Family Chevy,” said Mendes. “It’s always great to meet the fans, especially the kids. We had to get up early to make the show but we really enjoyed, it was worth the trip.”
In qualifying on Saturday night Mendes drove the JMS Motorsports, Joe Rose Law, Cartwright Builders #29x sprint car to the 17th position in the competitive field of entrants with a lap time of 10:974. The fast lap time and the position on the roster illustrates the caliber of competition that was on hand for this event that eventually paid $3000 to the winner.
In heat race competition, adversity set in for the team when the car slipped out of gear and brought Mendes to a stop during the race. He restarted from the rear of the field but was then forced to park on the infield when he continued to have mechanical complications, forcing off of a competitive pace.
By parking during the heat race, Mendes was required to compete in the B Feature for one final chance to make it into the money race. Only the top six drivers transfer out of the B race while everyone else is finished for the evening. Mendes started ninth in the affair and charged his way into fourth by the time the checkered flag waved to secure a position in the 30-lap feature race later in the program.
“In the entire B main I was driving with a blown left rear shock which made it difficult,” said Mendes. “The car was really bad due to the shock and so hard to drive, yet we ended up fourth through all of that so I guess we finally had a little bit of luck come out way.”
In the A-feature, Mendes lined up in the 14th starting position. As the second lap he worked his way up to the 11th position before settling back into 13th three laps later. As the field raced into lapped traffic, Mendes put his patience behind the wheel as a priority to stay out of trouble. He faded as far back as the 15th position on the 22nd lap and rallied back to finish 12th during the last eight laps of the race.
“We had a good solid run in the A main,” said Mendes. “I think we could have done better out there but that’s just racing. Overall we had a good night.”
Mendes will return to Placerville Speedway on Saturday, August 15th for Kid’s Night at Placerville Speedway. The event is the first of just three remaining point races of the season at the track he calls home.
JMS Motorsports appreciates all of their current sponsors for their strong support this season. Including, the Rose Law Firm of Folsom, Cartwright Builders of Rohnert Park, RPM Racing Photos of Placerville, Sparky’s Collision Center of Santa Rosa and VSR Steering Repair of Santa Rosa. The team acknowledges crew members, Jerry Stewart for his assistance and Sean “Stymie” Pratt who has assisted the team with set ups that have resulted in multiple impressive finishes.
Those interested in learning more about Camron Mendes, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities can do so by visiting the official team website at www.camronmendes.com. Sponsorship inquiries can also be sent directly to: jms-motorsports@comcast.net. Further information on Placerville Speedway can be found at www.placervillespeedway.com.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan
