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J.R. Hildebrand Flys An F-16 With The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (October 12, 2011) – National Guard Panther Racing driver JR Hildebrand knew he was in for the ride of his life at Nellis Air Force Base on Tuesday, where the United States Air Force Thunderbirds gave the 23-year-old rookie the opportunity to fly in one of their F-16 fighter jets. What he didn’t realize, however, was that nearly as soon as they’d taken off that Captain Nick Holmes, fittingly the Thunderbirds pilot No. 4, was going to allow the reining Indy 500 Rookie of the Year to fly the plane himself.

“It seemed like soon as we got up on the air, the pilot says, ‘Hey man, you wanna fly the plane?” Hildebrand said. “I was thinking, ‘Are you kidding me?’”

IndyCar Rookie J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito, CA with the Air Force Thunderbirds.

While Hildebrand was allowed to maneuver the jet during the ride, the real flying was done by Capt. Holmes, who took JR on a ride that included barrel rolls, a full loop, aileron rolls, flying inverted (upside down), a mock bombing run and pulling a 9-G turn – a move that earned Hildebrand a 9-G pin, a commemorative pin for the few who have pulled 9 Gs in an aircraft. The flight average roughly 500 mph while they reached a speed just under Mach One flying over the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains.

“I was freaking out when we pulled nine Gs; you feel like your eyes are popping out of your head,” Hildebrand explained. “This what just an unbelievable experience that far exceeded my expectations. And what was cool about this too was being able to fly in the No. 4 jet, we’re proud of that number and it’s pretty cool to see the other side of that here with Captain Holmes and all these guys with the Thunderbirds who work so hard on all this equipment.”

Capt. Holmes, who is referred to simply as “Number Four” around Nellis Air Force Base, is the Slot in the Thunderbirds lineup, meaning his flies in the position directly behind Pilot Number One, who is the lead – or point – of the Thunderbirds historic diamond formation.

The F-16 Fighter Jets of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

“He did an awesome job,” Capt. Holmes said of Hildebrand afterward. “It was such a thrill to show the other Number Four how our team works. It’s always an honor to be able to showcase the pride, professionalism and teamwork embodied by America’s Airmen every day.”

It was the thrill of a lifetime for Hildebrand, the self-described “adrenaline junkie”, who told Panther officials at the time of his signing last December that two things he wanted to do this season was fly in an F-16 and jump out of a plane. He marked the first off the list on Tuesday and National Guard officials have already agreed to arrange for him to jump out of a plane after he recovers from ACL knee surgery which is scheduled shortly after the season concludes this Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Many of the Thunderbirds were quick to inform Hildebrand that when NASCAR driver Carl Edwards flew with them earlier this year, he won the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that weekend and gave them the trophy to put on display at Nellis.

“So no pressure, right?” Hildebrand joked with the pilots and crew. “I’d be happy to take Rookie of the Year this weekend, for sure. I’m just not sure I’ll get the same adrenaline rush standing up there with the trophy as I got from these guys.”

www.JRHildebrandRacing.com – www.pantherracing.com – www.NationalGuard.com

Big Weekend of Racing at Roseville’s All American Speedway

Here is a preview of the 2011 Toyota Napa Auto Parts 150 weekend prepared by Steve Blakesley of Blakesley Sports Media.

We called last year’s TOYOTA / NAPA Auto Parts 150 the most competitive field in event history, but the 12th appearance of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West at All American Speedway has attracted a record 30 entries including 10 teenagers and three drivers making their series debuts. The championship has been decided with Greg Pursley clinching the title while his teammate Dylan Kwasniewski has put the wraps on rookie of the year as well. With both 2011 crowns decided, Saturday’s race will almost serve more as a preview to the 2012 campaign.

The SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour and Legends of the Pacific will also be in action on Saturday night while Late Models and Modifieds will race on Friday.

Coverage schedule:

Friday October 14 with Jeff Bye Jr. on the keys

5:30 p.m. – RACELINE LIVE! text coverage of the Late Models and Modifieds with qualifying underway

Features to begin at 8:45 p.m.

Saturday October 15 with Jeff Bye, Jr. on the keys

Noon – Limited RACELINE LIVE! text coverage begins of practice sessions for all divisions

4:40 p.m. – Qualifying for all divisions, Legends and SRL races

6:30 p.m. – Speed51.com Radio coverage of the SRL “World’s Champion 140”

8:40 p.m. – Steven Blakesley and Tim Quievrn on the call of the NASCAR “TOYOTA / NAPA Auto Parts 150” at www.NASCARHomeTracks.com

The contenders:

Jacob Gomes – The 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series rookie of the year is driving a potent car for John Gomez making him an easy favorite to challenge the series regulars.

Jason Fensler – Although he drives for the low budget Team Cass Racing, it didn’t keep him from winning the race at Roseville in April which saw one of the best finishes in series history.

Eric Holmes – The three-time series champion has been red hot after a slow start, teaming up with championship crew chief Ty Joiner halfway through the season moving up to third in points.

Dylan Kwasniewski – This will be the 16 year-old rookie’s second start at Roseville and after a lot of success in the spring he definitely has a shot at the win.

Greg Pursley – Although he has never run all that well at All American Speedway, it’s hard to bet against the 2011 series champion for a good run.

Moses Smith – He has never won a race in the series but Bill McAnally Racing has always been strong at this track. Smith had a career best second place finish at Roseville in the spring.

Derek Thorn – Saturday’s race will mark his fifth career start in the series but he is already a veteran at running up front including a pole position at the All-Star Showdown.

Jason Fensler from Elk Grove won the race in April driving the Team Cass Racing No. 59 Chevrolet.

Outside chance:

Jessica Brunelli – 2009 All American Speedway Modified rookie of the year has never won a Late Model or Modified feature but will be racing for Mike Naake who had a top-five in the spring with Eric Schmidt at the wheel.

Cameron Hayley – 15 year-old rookie driver has finished second in both series starts for Bill McAnally Racing with crew chief Rob Dixon, but has only made one start at Roseville and that was in a Late Model.

Dylan Lupton – Young rookie driver finished fourth in TOYOTA Speedway Late Model points in 2011 and is making his second series start but first start with Bill McAnally Racing.

Luis Martinez – Driving as a teammate to Derek Thorn and nearly winning the spring race should make Martinez a favorite but he is departing the series after this year and it is yet to be seen if pairing with Thorn is a success.

Michael Self – The RCR development driver has shown flashes of brilliance throughout 2011 in the series but will need a strong performance against the tough field.

Matt Scott – 2010 & 2011 track champion has 17 wins in a Late Model at All American Speedway but Saturday will be his first career start in the series.

Brett Thompson – Although he hasn’t had overwhelming success this year, it is impossible to count out the well-funded and well-prepared program that Thompson has.

Other cars to watch: Chad Boat, Daryl Harr, Braeden Havens, Dylan Hutchison, Jim Inglebright, Andrew Murray, Ryan Philpott.

To order tickets, please visit: www.billmcanallyracing.com.

For information on sponsor Pick-n-Pull, a Northern California based company and one of the largest auto and truck dismantlers in the country, please visit their website at: www.picknpull.com.

Fremont’s Shane Golobic Wins 2nd Straight Ocean Sprints Feature


By Steven Blakesley from Blakesley Sports Media

WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA (October 8, 2011) – Fremont’s Shane Golobic won his second straight Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo feature on Friday night, passing Bud Kaeding on lap 28 in lapped traffic and leading the final two laps for victory. Throughout 2011 Golobic has picked up at least one feature win per month and the victory is Golobic’s third in the Ocean Sprints.

Bud Kaeding started on pole for the feature alongside fast-time qualifier Justin Sanders of Prunedale. Sanders took the lead through turn one while St.Helena rookie Rico Abreu charged hard on the outside. Abreu jumped the cushion in turn three sending him for a wild spin to end his night.

A complete restart saw Kaeding reassume the lead and hold off Sanders to lead lap one. 2011 California Sprint Car Civil War Series champion Andy Forsberg moved to fourth from eighth starting by lap two.

After a brief caution on lap three for Orval Zane Burke stopped in turn one, Forsberg jumped past Golobic to take over third. Forsberg continued his impressive drive to the front by taking the lead from Kaeding on lap 10.

The red flag promptly came out in turn one on lap 10 when Sanders flipped and nearly collected Michael Twitchell. Sanders’ car suffered heavy damage and he was done for the night.

When the red flag was lifted, Forsberg had a flat tire and went immediately to the work area. Forsberg was unable to get a new right rear put on in time so his night was over.

Kaeding reassumed the lead under pressure from Golobic with Tommy Tarlton and Ronnie Day battling for third.The caution came out on lap 15 when Tommy Laliberte and Twitchell tangled in turn one.

An additional yellow on lap 21 for Koen Shaw stalling in turn one set the stage for the battle between Golobic and Kaeding. Kaeding set a furious pace and hit lapped traffic by lap 26. Coming up on a slower car on lap 28, Kaeding hit the brakes while Golobic swept by on the outside through three and four to lead lap 29.

Shane Golobic from Fremont, CA in the No. 121 Joe Vonschriltz/ Country Builders car. Photo by Steve LaMothe.

Golobic led the final two laps to a nearly one second victory over Kaeding, Day, Tarlton, and “Cowboy” Craig Smith. Brent Kaeding made his first start since being injured in a serious accident qualifying for the Johnny Key Classic in August and finished sixth.

Justin Sanders took the Ray Scheidt’s Electric fast-time with an 11.550 second lap in the #17 North County Plastering mount.The DDNi Hard Charger went to Carter Train who started 19th and finished 10th.

In other action on the night, the Wingless Sprint Cars competed in the $2121 to win “Walt Branco Memorial” race with bonus money posted by car owner Joe Vonschriltz. Chico’s Taylor Simas was triumphant in his first ever start at Ocean Speedway, topping a 23 car field.

Ocean Speedway points leader Jim Christian drove through the field after an earlier accident to finish second with Mark Chaves, Jr., Ryan Bernal, and Scott Hall the top-five. Golobic failed to finish after a broken shock cost him a second place effort.

Ronnie Day leads Tommy Tarlton by 30 points in the Ocean Sprints standings with the championship all but locked up going into the final points race next Friday night October 14.

For more information on the Ocean Sprint Cars presented by Taco Bravo log onto: www.oceansprints.com and for more on the Ocean Speedway visit: www.oceanspeedway.com.

As always, our thanks to Steve LaMothe of Steve’s Racing Photos for the use of his photos.