EDDIE TAFOYA JR. FINISHES SEASON-BEST SIXTH IN MOHAVE VALLEY RACEWAY USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE
2024-04-15 23:14
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(Chino, CA, April 11, 2024) After a rough start to his season in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, things finally went Eddie Tafoya Jr.'s way when he placed sixth in the main event at the Mohave Valley Raceway. It was the first time this season that the past series Rookie of the Year placed in the top 10.
Tafoya put his early season string of bad luck in the rearview mirror when he qualified second fastest in the tough 28-car field with a lap of 14.525. That was just .034 off the night's fast time. A sixth to fourth-place run in his ten-lap heat race sent him straight into the A-main.
For the main, Tafoya started inside the third row in fifth and stayed around the top five all race long. When the checkers ended the 30-lapper, the Chino Hills, California driver flew past the flagstand in sixth.
The finish was his best at the track since he recorded a third there on April 24th, 2022. All told, he has now competed at the racy little joint located near the Colorado River five times and he has three top-10 finishes.
The results in Arizona saw Tafoya leapfrog from 15th in the USAC/CRA championship standings all the way up to 12th. Going into the next series race at Perris Auto Speedway, he could take another leap on the points table as he is only three points out of 11th and 15 points from 10th.
Tafoya's woes in the 2024 USAC/CRA Series began at the season opener at Perris on February 24th. While running in the lead pack, he was clobbered from behind and sent careening into the infield crash wall. The impact destroyed the front end and he finished 21st. On March 16th at Perris, he was lightning quick and was running in the top 10 when his steering box failed with only three laps to go. That resulted in a 16th-place finish. Two weeks before the Mohave race, he ended up 12th at the Cocopah Speedway on a wind-blistered track that saw the main end 10-laps early when rain moved in.
Tafoya's next appearance in the USAC/CRA Series will come at Perris on April 27th.
Unfortunately for Tafoya and the other So Cal sprint car teams, the inaugural Ultimate Sprint Car Series race slated for this Saturday at the Ventura Raceway was canceled due to rain. However, good news is on the horizon. The series, which is presented by Inland Rigging, will kick off its schedule next Saturday, April 20th, at the Bakersfield Speedway. Tafoya will be in the Tom and Christy Dunkel owned Inland Rigging #17T for the historic first race for the new club.
Spectator gates for the race on the famous Bakersfield oval will open at 4:00 p.m. with racing at 6.:00. Adult tickets are $20.00. Seniors 65+ and military get in for $18.00. For kids 6-12 it is $15.00 and children 5 and under are free. Parking is free. The track is located at 5001 North Chester Ext. Ave., Bakersfield (93308). The track website is http://www.bakersfieldspeedway.com/ and the office phone number is (661) 393-3373.
Tafoya is always happy to meet the fans in the pits after every race. He will be signing autographs, posing for photos, and will also have his beautiful 2024 team shirts for sale. For fans who cannot attend the races, the team shirts are available at www.specialty-fasteners.com.
Fans can follow Tafoya on Instagram @eddietafoya51.
Tafoya and the #51T team would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, Inland Rigging, BR Motorsports, King Racing Products, Gasper Transportation, CMI Precision Machining, Owen's Insurance Services, Keen Concrete, DRC Chassis, and Rider Racing Engines for supporting its racing program.
Eddie Tafoya Jr. 2024 USAC National Results
January 11 Tulsa Expo Raceway Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 22nd A Main
January 14 Tulsa Expo Raceway Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 7th D Main
February 24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main
March 9 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 13th A Main
March 10 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 17th A Main
March 16 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main
March 23 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 12th A Main
April 6 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main
This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. (909) 226-7768 or E-mail mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com