Andrew Caddell pushes Kaufmann Racing Mustang to Pole, Podium and Points Lead in Mustang Challenge

The headlines might include how one car has won 3 races in a row and showed a domination of the Mustang Challenge field. The rest of the story has to include how a small, tight-knit band of grassroots racers have been able to grab and hold onto the Mustang Challenge Points Lead with little more than a talented driver and a lot of elbow grease.

Team principal Chris Kaufmann advised, “Over the decades I have been in dozens of Championship runs. They all have their own story and many common threads. In this one, our team has personified the image Larry Miller had for the series as an entry level professional road race series touting the Ford Mustang. I doubt there is anyone who has asked more out of our little pony then Andrew and Kaufmann Racing. Andrew Caddell reminds me of a Pony Express rider in the old West with a pack of wild Indians chasing him from station to station. Every once in a while we take an arrow, but we still keeps on flying around the track. Every race session Andrew brings back our pony covered with dust and sweat, but it seems to rise to the next session like it was born to race.”

Few racers or spectators were fortunate enough to see the extremely hard hit from behind that Andrew took in turn one of the last race. The Pole sitting Kaufmann Racing Mustang No. 1 was turned sideways going down-hill in front of the entire field. This could have been tragic. Thanks to incredible reflexes, superb car control and lady luck Andrew Caddell not only saved a big OFF, but held the lead and only commented on the radio “man, he just hit me big time…” reported Kaufmann. “I cannot tell you how impressed I am with Andrew Caddell’s driving skills and race savvy. He drives every lap hard and saves the car. We had found some things since Homestead and while we are not where we would like to be, we are getting better each race. This is a new combination and sorely under funded. The genius of the Ford Racing program is a good driver and basic set-up skills can put anyone in the heart of this series. We have seen top drivers like Terry Borcheller, Dorsey Schroeder, Andy Lally, Jack Roush, Jr., James Hunt, Paul Brown, Jason von Kluge, Derek & Conor Daly and others join us in lapping and racing the FR500s Mustangs. They all are impressed with the FR500s. Then last week we were lucky enough to run some laps with Mustang driving legends Tommy Kendall and Scott Pruett. This series is maturing and the close fields and tight racing is a tribute to the organization and skill of the participants.

After the race Kaufmann advised that Hot Rod Magazine editor Rob Kinnan was one of the first congratulatory calls. Rob misses this series and can’t wait to get back in the saddle. Kaufmann added they were excited to see Mustangs receive the interest this legend (that has now made 45 laps around the sun) deserves. How wonderful it was to see the thousands of Mustangs on display highlighted by having Alan Mullay, Ford CEO along with Ford Racing’s Brian Wolfe and Jamie Allison stop by and visit with every single Mustang Challenge Team.

Kaufmann and Caddell have dedicated the 2009 season to Larry H. Miller the founding father of the Mustang Challenge series whose untimely death last January took everyone by surprise. Larry was a great family man, a top businessman, an avid racer, an enthusiast as well as a person with big vision who was not afraid to put his money where his thoughts were. We can all be grateful for pioneers such as Larry Miller said Kaufmann. The Kaufmann Racing Team consists of some very dedicated members. This event highlighted the excellent skills and tremendous efforts of team members Rob Caddell and Aaron Hoeksta.

Kaufmann Racing is grateful for the solid assistance of their quality sponsors: Raybestos brake pads, Hoek’d Up Performance, Red Line Synthetic Lubricants, Scott Drake Performance Products, AIM data acquisition, Hot Rod Magazine, Motul 660 brake fluid, BFG Tires, Cool Shirts, Sparco Safety equipment and Seats, Nifty Chip Computer Repair Centers, Canby Graphics, Sachs shocks, RocketSports Racing, Ford Racing, PCI Radios, ARGO-PACE Race Jacks, Titan Car Lifts, Longacre professional pit gear, Optima batteries, Alpha Printing, Fox Fabrique, Food Source Charities, Borla Long Tube Headers, Walsh Motorsports and D&D Performance Transmissions.

Kaufmann Performance Products and Racing (established 1971) is an advanced vehicle preparation center based in Ventura County California. A full service Vintage, Race and High Performance Street car support facility working in association with Hoek’d Up Performance.