COSTA MESA, California – TRAXXAS driver Sheldon Creed started on pole for Saturday’s SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks Presented by TRAXXAS race, and cruised to his fourth victory of the season in convincing fashion.
While Creed was by himself out front for the first half of the race, the battle was heated directly behind him. California native’s Robby Gordon and Burt Jenner were in a fierce battle with Scottsdale, Arizona’s PJ Jones swapping position’s lap after lap with good clean hard racing. Jenner would move ahead of Jones launching through the sand pit to gain an advantage over Gordon and Jones who collided with each other and lost ground on the frontrunners.
The competition caution would fly at the halfway point of the race eliminating the large lead that Creed had developed. With Jenner and Jones on his rear bumper Creed would have to use strategy when taking the joker lane for it to work to his advantage. Jones and Gordon would use the joker on the restart and blasted to the lead ahead of Creed and Jenner.
Although from the start of the night, it was apparent it would be Creed’s night. After loosing the lead after the competition caution to Jones, Creed remained calm and saved his joker pass for just the right time to motor back past Jones en route to victory.
“After having a problem last night, it sure is great to end up back on top of the box tonight,” Creed said to the massive crowd at the OC Fair & Event Center. “Last night was a bad points night for my No. 74 TRAXXAS truck, and I knew tonight I had to remain calm and get out front and hit all my marks. This track is so gnarly, it’s such a blast to race out here in front of all these fans!”
Last night’s winner Jones came home fourth in the TRAXXAS truck, with Bill Hynes and his LIVE/UFD truck finishing fifth for second consecutive night. Augie Lerch, Charles Dorrance (Sportsman’s Guide), Aaron Kaufman (Toyo Tires), Scotty Steele (LIVE/UFD), and Mad Mike Whiddet (LIVE/Think Loud Recordings) rounded out the field.
Jones with his fourth place finish and victory on Friday night captured the overall win. Creed with his victory moves one step closer to an SST Championship as he moves back ahead of Gordon in the 2015 SST Championship standings.
The short course at the OC Fair & Event Center was by all accounts one of the best layouts in the history of the SST series, which produced amazing racing and constant action for the capacity crowd. Fans saw a full slate of racing including SST Traxxas trucks, the debut of the Stadium Side x Side Series Powered by Arctic Cat, Class 1400 trucks, Trophy Karts, and the Crusty Demons Freestyle MX all on the dirt and asphalt surface.
Race No. 3 of the SST weekend will be Sunday afternoon at the OC Fair and Event Center with the gates set to open at 10:30 am and the first green flag to fly at 11:30 AM.
Round 14 Results: Costa Mesa, Calif.
1. Sheldon Creed, Alpine, Calif., TRAXXAS
2. Burt Jenner, Los Angeles, Calif., Gladiator
3. Robby Gordon, Orange Calif., Arctic Cat/ Toyo Tires/ Traxxas
4. PJ Jones, Scottsdale, Ariz., TRAXXAS
5. Bill Hynes, Nazareth, Penn., LIVE/ Think Loud Recordings
6. Augie Lerch, Tucson, Ariz., SPEED High Performance Accessories
7. Charles Dorrance, Austin, Texas, Sportsman’s Finest
8. Aaron Kaufman, Dallas, Texas, Toyo Tires
9. Scotty Steele, Peoria, Ariz., LIVE / UFD/ ThinkLoud Recordings
10. Mike Whiddett, Aukland, New Zealand, LIVE/ Think Loud Recordings