THIRD IN THE NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST RACE - Meridian Speedway, Idaho
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September 5, 2015 - Wheeling the #55 H&M Motorsports, BetterAll Auto Sales, H&S Body Works and Towing, Jefferson-Pitts Racing hot rod, fifteen year old, high school sophomore, Buddy Shepherd earned a podium and his best finish in the NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST division at Meridian Speedway in Meridian, Idaho in only his second start.
After very challenging Friday & Saturday practices, with the help of crew chief Mario Isola, Derek Thorn, Bryan Brown, Brian Pitts, #55 crew, mom and dad, Buddy got comfortable in the car and drove to a 9th qualifying position. Not quite the position he wanted to be in (5th row inside) for the start of the 208 lap event. But as Buddy does, he made it his goal to drive with all the talent he possesses in order to find himself in the P6 position around lap 30. Buddy being on the outside of side-by-side action with another car on the narrow 1/4 mile track, with the other going into turn 3 a bit hot and slid up the track enough and with Buddy not wanting to make contact on the narrow 1/4 mile track found himself climbing the turn 3 k-rail wall. After collecting the car he came out in P12, even more determined to make the best of the remaining laps. That he did, he continued to move forward, passing numerous cars piloted by stellar drivers along to way, finding himself in the P2 position with a handful of laps remaining! With the race leader choosing the prefered outside line for the restart, Buddy had his hands full and raced side-by-side for a couple of laps before dropping into 3rd. With a restart with only 8 laps remaining, Buddy found himself in P4 on the restart. After an intense battle Buddy crossed the checkered flag with his podium finish, P3!
We met war heroes, rekindled friendships and created new ones in the super cool town of Meridian. We all had an amazing experience during our stay and enjoyed the rain, greenness and friendly city.
Next Race: September 19, 2015 - Kern County Raceway Park
Race On!!!