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24 May 2008 Roseville, Ca. Laura Hayes and her team were happy to be back this weekend after being forced to miss the May 17th race due to circumstances beyond their control. Laura was definitely itching to get back behind the wheel after a couple of weeks of not racing.
Once again, the car was running well and the #22 Peoplefinders.com/GoneRacin.com Chevrolet was in the top five in practice. With All American Speedway's tire rule, teams are only allowed two new tires per race and because Hayes missed the previous race
she was behind a set of tires compared to everyone else, being forced to race with an old set of tires. Throughout the day, the sky was overcast and there was a slight chance of rain. Before qualifying, it began to sprinkle and the track came to be a little slick. But old tires and a little rain didn't slow Laura down when she grasped her first fast time of the season! With a time of 13.80 against a second fast a 13.86, Laura was pumped and ready for the 50 lap main event.
Hayes and her #22 car would start in the 6th position and from the drop of the green, she could tell the set up wasn't right when the car showed immediate signs of understeer. Laura moved up to 4th and began racing side by side with another always competitive racer. After a series of laps of running side by side, the 22 car was drifted up the track and got a taste of the white concrete wall. Hayes felt the need to retaliate and gave the other driver a tap from behind in the proceeding turn. At this point, the race was under caution and the officials didn't approve of either driver's manners and both were sent to the rear of the field. Laura learned the lesson of allowing the officials to do the punishing rather than doing it herself and being punished as well. Laura is well known for her clean driving style and doesn't want to receive the reputation of being a dirty driver, so this course of action is now in the past.
Hayes now has to restart dead last out of the 21 competitors and she can only envision getting back to the front. The car was faster on the short runs until it would tighten up and Laura had to focus on passing as many cars as quickly as possible on the restarts before the car would slow down. By using this tactic and being patient and smooth, Hayes drove back to an impressive 3rd place finish, her highest finish of the season!
Yet again, Laura Hayes was the one to watch throughout the race as she snaked her way back up the field. Many, many people continue to be impressed as Laura proves herself as a front runner at All American Speedway.
Join Laura and the rest of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series drivers at All American Speedway on June 7th!
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