Everyone has heard the phrase... “He’s back in black”  and it is definitely  true when it comes to  Super Street Stock driver Robby Sawyer.  Sawyer shed his familiar race car colors of  white and orange  from 2004 when he returned to racing dirt this year.  Sawyers return to dirt  has already brought attention to himself, Sawyer has demonstrated he is a contender in the Super Street Stock class  for the 2008 Season.

The  black #98 , Sawyer built Chassis has had some very strong runs here recently at  both Santa Maria Speedway and Bakersfield Speedway,  lets not forget the young mans natural ability to wheel a dirt car, Sawyer knows where he needs to  be when the checkered falls.  Sawyer performed an awesome job  driving  Saturday night.

Sawyer’s race evening began with problems though, after he competed in  the qualifying heat race  the  pit crew discovered a broken rocker arm.  It was fortunate though the team had not only an extra rocker arm on hand  but an seasoned crew with great racing experience.

Bruce, owner of Rosedale Automotive and Bob Bryant, former Irwindale  Speedway Crew member  worked hard to make changes on the #98 Super Street Stock before the evening’s main event. Both  crew members are veterans in auto racing scene  and  both have been a tremendous support for the race team and keeping the #98 running in the front.

“I cannot thank the crew enough for all their support”, states car owner Kelly Sawyer, they are true friends and we all share the same goal...to get Robby to the front ...we are all here to win! Kelly Sawyer has  recently  been navigating car changes from the grandstands via radio  and has suffered shoulder problems due to an injury that has occurred.  “There is no reason for me to be in the pits right now states Kelly, I can talk to the crew via radio on what we need to do...we all have a good relationship and common goal. Robby has some of the best crew one can imagine.  I  really just give my input and then let Robby make the major decisions...he knows what he wants in the car for performance and how he likes to drive.... but my suggestions are taken into consideration...and we just discuss our game plan....states the elder Sawyer. I wish I had his knowledge when I was racing...he sets it up for Robby and no one else...that is all that matters..Robby drives so hard and he knows what he wants.

Sawyer started in the eighth position of the 30 lap main event that had Darrell Hood - #2 starting on the pole of the four driver invert main event.    The field saw a restart on lap one when the 19 of Duncan got collected in turn two.  Robby went from eighth to six in one lap and by lap four was in fifth.  Robby began to run his groove on the high side and was getting faster as the race went on...soon he would pass two cars at once in turns three and four as he picked off the #20 of Toby Randolph and the #74 of Wayne Dotson at the same time...he looked awesome! Sawyer passed them both with ease and moved himself into the second  place position on lap 13. The side by side racing of Sawyer and Darell Hood gave the race fans their money’s worth as the two drivers  battled for first place for the next  five laps.  Sawyer passed Hood smoothly on the high side with no problems.  Sawyer ran the next eight laps out front and was never challenged for the lead as he continued to use the high groove of the 1/3 mile clay track.  When the checkered fell it was Sawyer taking the win... followed by Darrel Hood in second,  Wayne Dotson, Nick Sylvester and Eric Cimental rounding out the top five finishers in the East vs West Series main event.

It was a great night for racing for the team. In the Victory Circle interview Sawyer had his family trackside to share in the highlight.  I want to thank all my sponsors Sawyer said as he quickly named all his sponsors, thanked his crew and family for their support.

Robby will race again next weekend at Santa Maria Speedway.

Way to go Robby....we are all up in the grandstands cheering you on!!

You did an awesome JOB RACING Robby Sawyer!!!