Out of the 32 car line up we placed 9th overall. Our heat race did not make it out of got a little bound up in the first turn with the 92 car and lost out on a transfer spot. Ran the b main and finished third. start the main event in the 7th row and just could’nt go forward we finish 12th and found out after the race we ran the better half of the race without power steering. NOT TO BAD!!!

ROHNERT PARK, CA – Rohnert Park’s Camron Mendes celebrated his 18th birthday in high speed fashion on Saturday night. Mendes, returning to the track where he began his sprint car racing career, Petaluma Speedway competed in the opening round of the competitive Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series. The event was the first of 13 races in the traveling series that visits six tracks in California.

“I can’t think of anything I would rather have done on my birthday but gone racing,” said Mendes. “We don’t race this close to home too often and we had a great time and got the chance to visit with many of the local fans that don’t travel each week.”

With 38 cars in the field, the evening started off strong for Mendes and the JMS Motorsports Team. In qualifying, Mendes drove his Rose Law Firm-Cartwright Builders, #29x sprint car to a top 20 qualifying position, turning a 13:510 to lock the 19th spot in the field despite an ill handling car. Sean Becker, the defending series champion, was the fast qualifier of the event, clocking a 12:952 second lap.

“We were fighting a very loose car when we went out to qualify. Turns three and four were really loose if you got a bit too high,” said Mendes. “We weren’t alone though as there were others that had the same difficulties. We spun before taking the time clock and luckily were able to turn around and get a good run at it.”

Following adjustments to the car, Mendes took to the track in the third heat race of the night on the outside of the front row. In Civil War events, heat races are ten laps in distance and only the first four finishers qualify for the A-feature. After the waving of the green flag, Mendes overtook pole sitter Richard Bailey and drove his way to victory over veteran drivers Herman Klein, Brett Rollag and R.D Smith. With the victory, Mendes became the tenth fastest driver to qualify for the A-feature, winning the MPD Racing Products Pill Draw Award.

“The car felt much better in the heat race,” added Mendes. “I got a good start from up top and was able to pull down low once I was out in front. Getting the opportunity to do the pill draw was a cool experience during the break too.”
With his top heat race finish, Mendes avoided a grueling B-feature event. The Cardinal Newman Catholic High School Junior ended his night with an 18th place finish in 30-lap A-feature in a field packed with California’s top talent.

“We started deep in the field,” said Mendes. “I was patient our there tonight and stayed out of trouble. We brought the car home in one piece tonight and everyone had a great time racing close to home. I’d like to congratulate Kyle Hirst on a great run tonight, he did an incredible job.”

Following Saturday’s event, Mendes and the JMS Motorsports Team will head east to Placerville Speedway for the second round of the 2009 Red Hawk Casino Championship Series. Mendes is currently 19th in the season point standings at Placerville with one point race completed in the season.

JMS Motorsports appreciates all of their current sponsors for their strong support in the upcoming racing season. Including, the Rose Law Firm of Folsom, Cartwright Builders of Rohnert Park, RPM Racing Photos of Placerville, Sparky’s Collision Center of Santa Rosa and VSR Steering Repair of Santa Rosa. The team perpetually thanks new crew member, Jerry Stewart for his assistance acquiring sponsorship and interest in the team. Public Relations for JMS Motorsports is furnished by Sullivan Images in conjunction with Steve’s Racing Photos.

Those interested in learning more about Camron Mendes, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities can do so by visiting the official team website at www.camronmendes.com. Information about the team’s title sponsor can be found at www.joeroselaw.com. Sponsorship inquiries can also be sent directly to: jms-motorsports@comcast.net. Further information on Placerville Speedway can be found at www.placervillespeedway.com.

By Bill Sullivan
April 8, 2009 - ROHNERT PARK, CA – Camron Mendes is looking forward to celebrating his 18th birthday this Saturday at the track closest to his Rohnert Park home, the 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway. Mendes will be competing in his Rose Law Firm-Cartwright Builders, #29x sprint car for the 2009 Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series opener. Saturday will mark the first of three Civil War events at Petaluma Speedway, a track Mendes began his racing career at two years ago but no longer frequents as he travels to Placerville Speedway on a regular basis.

“This is pretty cool, getting to race on my birthday and being able to do it close to home for the Civil War series,” said Mendes. “I enjoy racing at Placerville full time but it’s always special to get the chance to race at home when there is a big event like this. My friends and family will be there and many of them don’t make it up the hill every week. We’re looking forward to it.”

Saturday’s race will mark the third event of the year for Mendes. He opened his season at the Silver Cup Race of Champions in Chico two weeks ago and last week began his season in the 2009 Red Hawk Casino Championship series at Placerville Speedway. After a first race filled with challenges, Mendes sits 22-points behind the current Placerville Speedway point leader Andy Forsberg.

“We had some trouble getting dialed in on the first night,” said Mendes. “Then we got caught up in some trouble that ended our night in the B-main. We should be in good shape this weekend and next week when go back up there.”

This Saturday is the beginning of the new Civil War Sprint Car Series. This series totals 13 events at six different tracks in California. Mendes will be competing with the series as well as the weekly campaign at Placerville. In addition to Petaluma, the series competes at Placerville, Calistoga, Silver Dollar Speedway, Quincy and Watsonville. This will mark the first time in several years that the series opens at Petaluma, following a rain out last month.

“We we’re ready to open the series at Placerville, we always run stronger there,” said Mendes. “But Mother Nature had a different idea.”

Last season Mendes had intentions to race the entire Civil War Series. However, motor woes derailed him late in the season. He competed in 11 of the 15 events that took place and ended the year 23rd in the series point standings. During those he events he earned one fast time award and a top ten finish.>

“This series is the toughest competition,” said Mendes. “It seems like most of the top drivers in it are regulars at Placerville so hopefully we can use that to our advantage when we run the series. I’m looking forward to it.”

JMS Motorsports appreciates all of their current sponsors for their strong support in the upcoming racing season. Including, the Rose Law Firm of Folsom, Cartwright Builders of Rohnert Park, RPM Racing Photos of Placerville, Sparky’s Collision Center of Santa Rosa and VSR Steering Repair of Santa Rosa. The team perpetually thanks new crew member, Jerry Stewart for his assistance during this off season in acquiring sponsorship and interest in the team. Camron Mendes invites all the fans to the pits after each race for autographed hero cards.

“I love meeting the fans,” added Mendes. “That’s what this is all about. It’s always great to see the kids come up and sit in the car. That’s how I got interested in racing. I’m thankful for the great sponsors we have this year that makes it possible for me to do this.”

Mendes is a junior at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in Santa Rosa. When not at the race track he enjoys playing on the school rugby team and working with his family on the race car for the coming race weekend.

Those interested in learning more about Camron Mendes, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities can do so by visiting the official team website at www.camronmendes.com. Sponsorship inquiries can also be sent directly to: jms-motorsports@comcast.net. Further information on Placerville Speedway can be found at www.placervillespeedway.com.

We rocked this weekend! It was so much fun! We finished 9th in the A-main and qualified Fast Time out of 43 of the best drivers in California. BONUS!!!!! Thank you Jim for all your hard work, Camron