Eric Gunderson Racing

Eric and his team celebrated Thanksgiving once again by participating in the Thanksgiving Weekend race at I-10 Speedway in Blythe, California.  “We have come here for the Thanksgiving race several years now, “said Eric during Friday practice. “We really enjoy coming here.  The weather is perfect, a real treat for this time of year.  I also enjoy driving at this track very much.”

Eric’s team used the opportunity to test a new setup approach under consideration for the 2012 season.  “We have set the pace all weekend so far, “said Eric after qualifying on Saturday.  “We just set the fast time in qualifying, and have been the fastest car in practice so far this weekend.  We feel we are really on to a good setup direction for the coming season.”

Eric started the 50 lap race in 3^rd position on the grid after the invert, in a field of 17 cars.  Eric led for the first 20 laps, but then fell back into 3^rd spot until lap 42.  “Our car was very loose right from the start of the race,” said Eric after the event.  “We know this track loosens up quite a lot after the sun goes down, but this race was run earlier than normal right at dusk.  Because of the timing we didn’t tighten the car as much as we otherwise would.  That turned out to be a mistake.”

On the re-start after a late race caution, Eric and the number 12 car got past the race leading 29 car.  They held those positions until the end a few laps later.  “We certainly had a car capable of winning here today,” said Eric after the race.  “But we didn’t get it quite right setting the car for the changing track conditions and because of that just weren’t fast enough at the end.  We had a great time here, as always, though.  Now we have a couple of months of shop time to get our cars ready for next season.”