Folsom based Rose Law Firm announces 2009 sponsorship of sprint car driver Camron Mendes

ROHNERT PARK, CA – JMS Motorsports and driver Camron Mendes are proud to announce the newest addition to their growing list of marketing partners. Attorney Joe Rose and the Rose Law Firm of Folsom, California has agreed to sponsor Mendes and the #29x sprint car for the 2009 championship racing season in Northern California.

“We are very excited about the season to come for Camron and the JMS Motorsports team,” said Jim Cartwright, team owner. “Joe Rose is a great addition to our sponsorship team. He is very involved in community events and he shows a great interest in Camron and sprint car racing. We are very appreciative and excited about our newly formed sponsorship agreement.”

Joe Rose and the Rose Law Firm are based in Folsom, California. The law practice specializes in employment law and civil litigation in state and federal courts. Rose specializes in the representation of of fire fighters, paramedics, peace officers, corrections officers and their public employees. Before becoming an attorney, Rose served the communities in which he resided as a firefighter and a paramedic for several years in Los Angeles, Ventura, Sacramento and El Dorado Counties.

We are very excited to be sponsoring JMS Motorsports and rising star Camron Mendes,” said Rose. “Although my law firm is located in Sacramento County, I live with my family in Placerville . We have long been fans of the races at Placerville Speedway.”

Joe Rose earned his law degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. While in law school he earned top honors in seven academic subjects and had the distinction of earning top awards in both trial advocacy and appellate advocacy. Mr. Rose received the American Board of Trial Advocates Outstanding Student Advocate of the Year award. Mr. Rose is now an adjunct professor at Lincoln Law School.

After working for several years in a Northern California law firm in its labor law and litigation sections, Mr. Rose founded Rose Law Firm, P.C. in 2004. As a past member of the Board of Directors of the Cameron Park Community Services District, Rose understands that local support of community events and endeavors is important for every business. This year, Rose becomes involved with Mendes, one of the area’s talented up and coming sprint car drivers that will enter his third season of sprint car racing.

“Joe is sponsoring our team, but at the same time I feel he will be very involved with racing,” added Cartwright. “He is very excited about the sport and Camron. I think he will be a great addition to our racing family and will help us succeed in the 2009 racing season.”

In 2008, Camron Mendes competed in his first full season of racing at Placerville Speedway in El Dorado County. Competing against many of the best drivers in California, his efforts earned him an impressive eighth place finish in the point standings. He earned four top ten finishes, won a total of five heat races and earned a fast time award during a high caliber Civil War Series race. This season the 17 year senior at Cardinal Newman High School will return to the foothill speedway to compete for the 2009 championship.

JMS Motorsports appreciates all of their current sponsors for their strong support in the upcoming racing season. In addition to Joe Rose and the Rose Law Firm, embers of their sponsorship team include 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 also wishes to thank crew member Jerry Stewart for his assistance during this off season in acquiring sponsorship and interest in the team.

The 2009 racing season will begin for JMS Motorsports on Saturday, March 21 when Placerville Speedway opens with a Civil War Sprint Car Series event. During the off season, Mendes has been busy focusing of earning top grades during his junior year at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in Santa Rosa, weight training in preparation for the upcoming racing season and playing on the Rugby Team when he was recently named “Man of the Match.” After what he considers a successful year last year, Mendes is prepared to excel in his second full season at Placerville Speedway.

Those wishing to get an up close look at Mendes’ #29x sprint car and meet Camron will have the opportunity to do so prior to the night of racing when his car will be on display at the Executive Barber Studio, which is home to RPM Racing Photos, at 259 Main Street in historic Placerville. The JMS Motorsports Borello Racing Engines powered #29x sprint car will be on display and Camron will be on hand to sign autographs and meet the fans.

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. Those interested in learning more about Joe Rose and his legal services can find that information on his official website at www.joeroselaw.com

Rohnert Park’s Camron Mendes is ready to roll and seeking sponsorship for 2009 racing season
Mar. 02, 2009 ROHNERT PARK, CA –
Seventeen year old Camron Mendes and his JMS Motorsports Sprint Car team have announced their plans for the upcoming 2009 Northern California racing season. Behind the wheel of his family owned #29X 360 cubic inch powered sprint car, Mendes and his team are sure to be top contenders in the upcoming season and are seeking additional sponsorship for year to come as well.

“We are pretty much ready to go this year, said Mendes. “After my experience last year I think the 2009 racing season will be even better for us. I had the opportunity to spend an entire season racing with some of the best drivers in California in the weekly series at Placerville Speedway. I learned a lot from them and I am looking to bring that experience back to the track for this year.”

Although he resides in Rohnert Park, California Mendes plans to return to Placerville Speedway once again for the 2009 championship racing season there. Despite the near two hour drive each Saturday, the team feels that the foothill speedway provides one of the best venues with a broad range of talented drivers and a strong fan base. In addition to the weekly championship campaign at Placerville’s quarter-mile, JMS Motorsports plans to compete in select events during the season with the competitive California Sprint Car Civil War Sprint Car Series.

In 2008, Mendes made his first appearance at Placerville Speedway and raced the entire championship season there. Competing amongst many of California’s most talented drivers, the 17-year-old Cardinal Newman High School Senior drove his way to eighth place in the point standings. During his campaign, Mendes garnered four top ten finishes. He was the second winningest driver in preliminary competition with five overall heat race victories and scored the fast time award during a highly competitive Civl War Series event.

“We made the decision to travel to Placerville last season and it was definitely worth it, its certainly a drivers track and on any given night it seems like anyone in the main event has the ability to win,” said Mendes. “I enjoyed racing with some of the best drivers including a couple of nights when I had the pleasure to race in the company of Tyler Walker, Danny Lasoski and Sammy Swindell. I’m looking forward to coming back there and setting my sights on a very successful season.”

In a very unstable economy, race teams at even the highest levels of competition and facilities alike are struggling for financial support. Like many, Mendes is returning to the track with limited sponsorship and is seeking additional marketing partners for the exciting year to come. The team has a number of sponsorship packages available and invites anyone who is interested in promoting their business or service to do so aboard the Borello Racing Engines powered #29x JMS Motorsports Sprint Car that is sure to be charging to the front of the field throughout the season.

At this time, JMS Motorsports would like to thank their current sponsors for their financial support in the upcoming racing season that begins on March 22 at Placerville Speedway. Members of the 2009 sponsorship team include 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 also wishes to thank their dedicated crew member Jerry Stewart for his assistance during this off season in acquiring sponsorship and interest in the team.

Those wishing to get an up close look at Mendes’ #29x sprint car and meet Camron will have the opportunity to do so prior to the opening event at Placerville Speedway as the car will be on display at a special event in downtown historic Placerville. The event will take place at the Executive Barber Studio which is home to RPM Racing Photos at 259 Main Street. Camron’s 2009 sprint car will be on display and he will be on hand to sign autographs.

The event will feature a large art display and sale featuring the work of local photographer/artist Phil Hamilton. Hamilton is a racing enthusiast that has created numerous pieces of art featuring the drivers that compete at Placerville Speedway. Proceeds from the pre-race event and sale will go to the purse of Placerville Speedway later that night, courtesy of Hamilton.

“I’m looking forward to meeting some of the fans before we start racing that night,” said Mendes. “ I love signing autographs for the kids and letting them sitting in the car. That’s how I first got interested in racing and it means so much to be a part of it as a driver now. That’s what this is all about. Placerville has a great group of fans and I look forward to seeing all of them again.”

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

Rohnert Park’s Mendes looking for driving opportunities and sponsorship to advance in his career

ROHNERT PARK, CA (9-20-08) – Following a successful championship point racing season at Placerville Speedway, Rohnert Park’s Camron Mendes is in pursuit of new seat for the 2008 post season and the 2009 Northern California racing season. After a top ten finish in the 2008 championship point standings at Placerville, 17-year-old Mendes would be a great asset to an owner-driver team in the season to come.

“ This year my family team set out with a goal to finish in the top ten at Placerville and we accomplished that goal,” said Mendes. “We had a great year on a very limited budget. I feel its time for me to advance and plant my feet with a good team, one that is already established or an up and coming team. I would love to be part of a growing team and think I would be real successful with a seat in a competitive car.”

A resident of Rohnert Park, California, Camron Mendes made a choice at the beginning of the season to make long haul to Placerville Speedway located in the foothills of El Dorado County. This decision was based on the fact that Placerville draws a solid number of talented drivers each week and is known as one of California’s most competitive tracks each Saturday night with drivers competing from both California and Nevada on a regular basis.

“I wanted to learn from the best and race where you really have to give it your all to get to the front,” said Mendes, who traveled over two hours each Saturday night, driving past a track very close to home to compete at the track where a rookie driver can often be looked upon as the one bringing a knife into a gunfight due to the quantity and quality of talent on hand each week.

“Racing at Placerville taught me a lot and made me much more competitive this past year,” added Mendes. “On any night almost any driver in the main event there has the ability to win at that place, it is very tough and you have to have your game on. I’m glad we made the commitment to run there. The travel was very costly but it was well worth it.”

At the conclusion of the championship season, Mendes finished 8th in the season ending point standings at Placerville Speedway. During the year he drove his way to four top ten finishes and five heat race victories. One of the highlights of the year was a fast time award during a competitive Civil War Series visit. His JMS Motorsports team had all intentions of competing in the post season events but motor woes have set them back financially.

“We discovered the problem last week just before Petaluma, I was supposed to be racing that night,” said Mendes. “I really want to race in some of the big races at the end of the year like the Fall Nationals and the Trophy Cup. Hopefully something comes together before then. If I can’t find a driving position then I hope to get some help to repair the motor. I’m determined to keep racing.”

Camron Mendes hopes to bring a fully loaded gun to the 2009 racing season. His hopes are to compete full time in either the Golden State Challenge Series or the Civil War Sprint Car Series. His goal is to find a team with the same wishes that is looking for a young driver with talent and a competitive nature. Anyone wishing to inquire about Camron Mendes can contact him at (707) 477-5228.

During the 2008 racing season Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car have been financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers which can be found at www.parkside-lakeport.com, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa.

Mendes and JMS Motorsports to race close to home as Civil War Series returns to Petaluma Speedway

By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (9-10-08) – Rohnert Park’s Camron Mendes began his 2008 post championship season at the Gold Cup Race of Champions last week and will continue to do so this coming weekend much closer to home. The 17-year-old driver of the JMS Motorsports-Schellinger Brothers #29x sprint car will be in competition at Petaluma Speedway for the 13th round of the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series.

Mendes has edged his way into the top 20 point positions in the current Civil War Series point standings and now holds the 18th position overall despite missing one event on the 15-race tour. In his appearances thus far, Mendes has scored a top 10 finish competing in California’s most competitive campaign and also has a fast time to his name a well.

“It’s always a pleasure to compete in the Civil War series no matter where it is at,” said Mendes, who spend his summer months traveling to Placerville Speedway each week. “We had a tough night in Chico last week and I am looking to rally back this week as we get to race close to home.”

Last week Mendes competed in the prestigious Civil War Pacific Sprint Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. This event is open to only the top 32-drivers in the series point standings and is the crown jewel of the Civil War campaign annually, posting $3000 to the winner. For Mendes, just the experience of competing in the fastest four days of California racing was rewarding enough.

“The Gold Cup experience was great for my family and myself,” said Mendes. “This was our first time running there and we really enjoyed it. We met a lot of new people and some of the Outlaws and it was great. “

On Wednesday night Mendes qualified 28th quick in qualifying. After finishing sixth in the heat race he was required to race in the B-feature for the night along with some of the sports top runners, including Placerville Champion Colby Wiesz, sixth place point runner Herman Klein and fast qualifier Chad Compton. At the waving of the green flag in the 12-lap event, Mendes accelerated out of the first turn when a multi-car collision ended his night with damage.

Following the Wednesday event, Mendes remained in Chico for the three days of competition featuring the World of Outlaws. On Thursday night, competing with a 360 power plant, Mendes qualified 41st in the field packed with 410 sprint cars turning a 12:525 second lap. Mendes night ended with a 17th place finish in the C-feature. On Saturday night the JMS team returned to compete with the nation’s best drivers and wrapped up their weekend with a ninth place finish in the F-feature event.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers which can be found at www.parkside-lakeport.com, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. A perpetual thank you goes out to Robbie and Donnie Johnson for their assistance in repairing the frame of the 29x sprint car. JMS Motorsports is actively seeking additional sponsorship and marketing partners for the 2009 racing season.

Mendes advances two point positions to eighth in final Placerville Speedway points standings

By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (9-1-08) – Rohnert Park teenager Camron Mendes ended his 2008 championship season at Placerville Speedway on a high note Saturday night. At the start of the season the former kart racer’s goal was a top ten finish in the standings and he took one step further. Actually, Mendes took it two steps further with an eighth place finish in the final season point standings.

“We set a few goals for ourselves this season. One of those goals was to finish in the top ten at the end of the year and it feels really good to accomplish that,” said Mendes. “I was setting my sights on the Rookie of the Year and I gave it my all in these final weeks but we were a few points shy. Trent Canalas had some great runs at the end of the year and got us by single digits in the end but we’re happy with our season. I’m actually sad its coming to an end already.”

On the final night of competition, Mendes drove his way to a ninth place position in qualifying after turning a 10:916 second lap. In the preliminary heat races, his closest competitor, Canalas, placed fourth and Mendes more than matched the effort, finishing third in his own heat race to insure his rival gained little or know point over him entering the feature event.

In the 25-lap feature event, Mendes drove to a 14th place finish to advance two positions in the standings ahead of veteran drivers C.J. Humphreys and Andy Forsberg. When the final point standings were tallied Mendes trailed Canalas by a mere ten points in the battle for the Rookie title.

“I gave it my best and I’m happy with the year I had up here,” said Mendes, who traveled nearly two hours past his nearby track, Petaluma Speedway, to compete on Placerville’s competitive bullring. “Each week we got better and better and learned a lot along the way. Now I’m looking forward to the post season and running some bigger races. I’m hoping to get someone’s attention and possibly pick up a ride for next year.”

Traveling such a great distance all season has been a chore for Mendes and the JMS Motorsports team. His step father Jim Cartwright is the crew chief of the car and is working hard to seek sponsorship for the post season as well as for the 2009 racing season. Following a successful top ten finish in the Placerville series, Mendes will now focus on several high profile events including the Gold Cup Race of Champions and the Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals. As he looks to compete with California’s best in the coming weeks, Mendes pays tribute to those who have helped him this season.

“I would really like to thank everyone that made this season possible, my step father Jim worked really hard every week on the car along with the support of my Mom and my Dad and my sponsors,” said Mendes. “I was proud to have the Schellinger Brothers on my car this year and I’m happy I was able to represent them in such a position fashion. I really look forward to our relationship in the future and hopefully I can get myself a ride and run my own car in a number of events too.”
Following the final weekly championship event at Placerville Speedway Saturday, Mendes headed north to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. The team looks forward to competing at the 55th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. On Wednesday night Mendes is one of 32 drivers that have been invited to compete in the annual Civil War Pacific Sprint Cup for the Civil War Series. The event pays $3000 to win and is known as the crown jewel of the series.

Mendes is 14th in the series standings. In the days following the Civil War opener the team will compete in California’s biggest open wheel race featuring the nationally recognized World of Outlaws. As he begins to compete in post season competition, Mendes hopes to catch the eye of a competitive team or car owner for the 2009 racing season.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers which can be found at www.parkside-lakeport.com, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team also wishes to thank Robbie and Donnie Johnson for their assistance in repairing the frame of the 29x sprint car. JMS Motorsports is actively seeking additional sponsorship and marketing partners for the 2009 racing season.

Rohnert Park's Mendes hits top ten in Placerville standings, will vie for Rookie title this Saturday
By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (8-24-08) - At the start of the 2008 racing season Camron Mendes set a goal for himself. He decided to drive past the track near his hometown every week and make the trip to the competitive quarter-mile Placerville Speedway every Saturday night. Mendes' goal was to compete against some of Northern California's best drivers every week and campaign for the Rookie of the Year title on one of the toughest tracks in the west.

"At the beginning of the year we set some goals for ourselves," said Mendes. "We wanted to end our season with a top ten finish in the point standings and win the Rookie of the Year award. At the beginning of the season we had a rough go and let's just say we had a few nights that we were excited to just put the car in the trailer in one piece."

Saturday night, Mendes started deep in the field at Placerville Speedway, lining up for the 25-lap affair in the 16th place position. When the checkered flag flew he wrapped up the night with an 11th place finish while fellow Rookie of the Year contender Trent Canales finished in the 14th position. Finishing ahead of Canales in the feature event, combined with a second place run in his heat race has launched Mendes ahead by three positions in the point standings where he now sits 10th overall. Entering the final night of the season he trails his friendly rookie rival by a mere three points for the coveted Rookie of the Year title.

"This is exciting," said Mendes. "We are so close to being the top rookie driver, just three points behind and its coming down to the last race of the year. It will be really special to finish the season by accomplishing both of the goals we set out to do. About half way through the season we started making the A-mains and improving each week and now it seems like things are coming together for us as a team."
In preliminary competition on Saturday night qualifying was tough to contend with at Placerville. A restored track surface had all but two competitors turning laps in the ten second bracket. Mendes turned a lap time of 10:718, placing him 19th on the roster. In qualifying he finished in second place but the inversion for the feature event didn't fall in his favor, placing him deep in the field behind a number of heavy hitters Saturday, among them was three time World of Outlaws' champion Sammy Swindell and former NASCAR Busch driver and World of Outlaw star Tyler Walker not to mention the regulars that seem to "own" Placerville as of late, Colby Wiesz, Andy Forsberg and Kyle Hirst, to name a few.

"All the regular drivers at Placerville are tough to beat," said Mendes, who hopes to make a full run with the Golden State Challenge or Civil War Series and is seeking a full time ride in either 410 or 360 sprint car competition in 2009. "But that's why we decided to run here my first year, to learn with some of the best. I never expected to be racing with drivers like Lasoski, Swindell and Walker here though, that's been great that Placerville has been attracting these top drivers lately."
On Saturday night, Colfax driver Colby Wiesz locked the Placerville Speedway championship one week early. Now, many eyes will be on Mendes and Canales as they go head to head on the final night in a heated battle for the Rookie of the Year title. Billy Strange Jr. of Rancho Cordova is also in the mix, sitting 17-points behind Mendes in the standings.

Following the final weekly championship event at Placerville Speedway this Saturday, Mendes will look forward to competing at the 55th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. On Wednesday night he is one of 32 drivers that have been invited to compete in the annual Civil War Pacific Sprint Cup for the Civil War Series. The event pays $3000 to win and is known as the crown jewel of the series. Mendes is 14th in the series standings. In the days following the Civil War opener the team hopes to compete in California's biggest open wheel race featuring the nationally recognized World of Outlaws.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers which can be found at www.parkside-lakeport.com, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team would also like to say a huge thank you to Robbie and Donnie Johnson for their recent assistance in repairing the frame of the 29x sprint car. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship for both the Gold Cup week and the 2009 racing season and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events or check out their website at www.camronmendes.com.

"I would really like to thank Schellinger Brothers for sponsoring me," added Mendes. "I'm proud to have their name on my car and I feel that my team did a great job Saturday night doing the best that we could. It was nice to have or pit man Ken, also known as "Bones" back helping with the car again."

PRESS PHOTO ATTACHED/Photo Courtesy of Steve Lamothe
Camron Mendes (29x) of Rohnert Park has closed in on the 2008 Rookie of the Year title at Placerville Speedway entering the final event of the season this Saturday.

Steering fluid spill ends Mendes' top ten run early at Placerville for 12th championship point race
By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (8-16-08)
At just 17 years old, Rohnert Park's Camron Mendes has only dreamed of one day racing with drivers of national caliber. Saturday night, the had the opportunity to do so far sooner then he ever expected when four time Knoxville Nationals champion Danny Lasoski showed up at Mendes' home track of Placerville Speedway along with former World of Outlaws driver Tyler Walker of Los Angeles. The two drivers were on hand for "Morrison Concrete Kids Night" and the 12th championship point race at the track where Mendes has competed all season long in an effort to run with some of the sports' best drivers. Saturday Mendes raced with more then just California's best for the first time.

"There were some heavy hitters here tonight and it was a great time running with them, I was so proud of what we did as a team," said Mendes. "For us to be running 7th in the feature event and chasing down Tyler Walker in a race that is being led by Danny Lasoski.that was really cool. That's the best we've done this year and it was done with us racing against the best drivers."

Mendes started his evening with a 15th place rank in qualifying, turning an 11:175 second lap. Top performances were tough for many as early as time trials at Placerville on Saturday night as the recent heat and an error in track preparation made for a very challenging surface for all. In heat racing, Mendes secured a starting spot in the 25-lap feature event when he started and maintained the third position in the eight lap preliminary qualifier.

In the feature event, drivers were all gunning for the top position in an event that was worth $2000 to win Saturday night courtesy of area contractor, Morrison Concrete. Mendes was among those drivers but started deep in the field, taking the green flag in the 13th place starting position. With the waving of the green flag the rookie of the year contender began working his way to towards the front of the 20-car pack, using extreme finesse to stay in the hunt on a track surface that was extremely dry and had very poor visibility due to the excessive dust.

On the first lap, Mendes advanced into the 12th position where he remained for several laps before advancing into 11th on the sixth circuit and into the top ten one lap later. On the 14th lap Mendes worked his way into the seventh position and began closing in on Walker for the sixth position entering the final ten laps of the race.

With 19 laps complete, the running order underwent a dramatic change, including Mendes who was forced to drop out of the event as his safety was at risk. Mendes suffered a power steering fluid leak which covered his legs in the cockpit and sent him to the infield on the same lap that Lasoski had blown a rear tire and fell out of the lead. The end result was Mendes finishing in 12th behind the World of Outlaws star.

"I really wanted to get a top five out of the deal, but I thought my leg was on fire," said Mendes, who has witnessed several drivers catch fire in a similar fashion this year. "It freaked me out because it was burning so bad but it turned out that I had a lot of power steering fluid all over my legs which explains why the car was becoming more difficult to drive in the corners."

Prior to departing from the field, Mendes was beginning to chase down Walker for the sixth position. Despite the incident he was satisfied with the evening, which included assisting with the kids bicycle races at intermission.

"I'm really proud of this whole team tonight," said Mendes. "Each week we get better and better and last night was no exception. I'm looking forward to meeting Sammy Swindell and racing with him this week at Placerville. You can learn a lot just from watching those guys and it's really cool that they are coming Placerville."

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers which can be found at www.parkside-lakeport.com, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team would also like to say a huge thank you to Robbie and Donnie Johnson for their recent assistance in repairing the frame of the 29x sprint car. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events.

Mendes advances through heat race and B-main to reach Calistoga Speedway Civil War feature event
Photo Courtesy of Steve Lamothe


By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (8-9-08) - Calistoga Speedway is known as one of the most dangerous and grueling tracks in California. At a half mile in length and routinely offering adverse surface conditions due to limited vents, the famed "dark lady" can take a toll on it's driver very quickly. Saturday night, Rohnert Park sprint car driver Camron Mendes faced the challenges of old "Stoga" in a big way as he earned his way into the feature event through qualifying, an eight lap heat race and then a 12-lap B-feature long before the 20-lap Hoosier Tires Civil War feature event even began.

Saturday's event was the annual Napa Valley Challenge, the second of two events for the 15-race Civil War Sprint Car Series at Calistoga Speedway this season. For Mendes, competing at the famed half mile is always a pleasure as the scenic facility lies close to his Rohnert Park home and many of his area race fans. Although the cards didn't fall in his favor early in the game Saturday night, Mendes used a great deal of hard work and skilled driving to insure himself a position in a feature event that included 21 of California's most competitive drivers.

In qualifying, Mendes was the third car to take to the track and clocked the 21st position out of the 31 cars that entered Saturday's event. In preliminary heat racing, complications with tire pressure led to handling woes in the JMS Motorsports, Schellinger Brothers, VanLare Steering Repair 29x sprint car and the result was a fifth place finish, just one spot out of the top four transfer positions that are automatically entered into the A-feature.

"The track was drying out really quick and I was lucky to go out third for qualifying tonight," said Mendes. 'But in the heat race we had a problem with the bleeder valve in the left rear tire. It made the car really loose, throwing the stagger off and causing it to crab craw. So I ended up finishing fifth and had to go into the B main."
In the B-feature, Mendes started on the outside of the second row. For much of the race, Mendes challenged Peter Breshears of Sutter Creek for the third position. In this event the top six finishers advance to the A-feature and when the checkered flag flew, Mendes locked himself a position in the money race with a fourth place finish behind Kyle Hirst, Bradley Terrell and Breshears.

In the A-feature, Mendes started on the outside of the 10th row in the 20th starting position. The field of cars included several of California's most recognized talent, from the veteran Brent Kaeding, who has 21 feature wins at Calistoga as well as fellow Golden State Series Champions Ronnie Day and Jason Statler. The track conditions at Calistoga on Saturday were extremely dry and Mendes utilized his deep in the field starting position to gain experience on the track to tough to tame as he was able to race side by side with some of the best drivers in the business.

"When I got lapped by Sean Becker it actually helped me tonight, " said Mendes. "I was following his line and keeping up with the top five drivers and I was even able to pass him which felt good because I realized I can run with the best. Tonight gave me some great seat time."

When the checkered flag waved Saturday night, Mendes had raced a great deal of laps beneath the shadow of Mount St Helena. His evening concluded with an 18th place finish. As a young driver with limited seat time on large tracks, Mendes and the JMS Motorsports team were satisfied with the night.

"I couldn't have done this tonight if it wasn't for all of the people in my pits," said Mendes. "I really want to thank them for everything. My step dad, (Jim Cartwright) does all of this for me and sometimes I don't thank him enough. I really appreciate everything he does and I have great respect for him and what he does with this car, especially since he's only been doing this a year. My Mom, Dad and my brother are always supportive of too and tonight we had some great friends in the pits, Matt, Brian, Kurt, Dave and Lou who were such an great help. I can always count on them for being straight up with me."

This week, Mendes and his JMS Motorsports team will head back to the foothills to the track he calls home, Placerville Speedway. Mendes will be competing in the 15th champion point race and "Morrison Concrete Kids Night" on the quarter-mile bullring. Mendes is currently 13th in the series point standings in a heated battle for Rookie of the Year with Trent Canales and Billy Strange Jr. In eleven starts Mendes has garnered 4 top ten finishes at Placerville Speedway.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team would also like to say a huge thank you to Robbie and Donnie Johnson for their assistance in repairing the frame of the 29x sprint car. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events

Camron Mendes (29x) of Rohnert Park placed 18th in Saturday's Napa Valley Challenge at the famed half mile Calistoga Speedway. This Saturday Mendes heads back to Placerville Speedway.

Rohnert Park's Mendes uses Placerville experience to earn quick time and top ten finish in Civil War event


By Bill Sullivan
ROHNERT PARK, CA (8-2-08) - Rohnert Park's Camron Mendes used his season long experience at Placerville Speedway to score a career best finish Saturday night when the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series came to visit the Foothill Speedway. The event marked the ninth start in the traveling series for 360 powered sprint cars and placed Mendes into the elite group of just 30 drivers that have scored top ten finishes in the 10 events that have taken place thus far in the season.

With 43 cars on the roster, success started early for Mendes aboard the JMS Motorsports owned Schellinger Brothers, VSR sponsored #29x sprint car that competes weekly at Placerville Speedway. Mendes was first car out for qualifying and used the early track conditions to his advantage, clocking the fastest time of the night with a 10:754 second lap on the quarter mile. Only five drivers turned laps in the 10 second bracket during the event before track conditions dramatically changed due to the summer temperatures.

In heat race competition, Mendes missed a direct transfer into the A-feature by just three positions, finished 7th. The 17 year old high school junior rallied back in the semi-feature later in the program when he finished in the fourth position behind veteran drivers Herman Klein, Andy Forsberg and Kyle Hirst to earn his qualifying time back for the A-feature line up and the inversion.

The 30-lap feature event at Placerville Speedway Saturday night was one of the most challenging of the season. Extremely dry slick driving conditions and excess dust hampering visibility made it difficult for many drivers. However, the racing was some of the most intense action of the season. Mendes started on the inside of the fourth row of the event. Using a great deal of patience and caution to stay in the event, Mendes avoided a multitude of yellow and red flag incidents throughout the entire race to finish in the ninth place position. Veteran driver and point leader Sean Becker of Sacramento won the race. Mendes' first top ten Civil War finish of his career was among the best company in the series as every driver between the winner and Mendes has won a Civil War feature event or a championship during the last two years of competition.

Following his first top ten finish of the series, Mendes will compete closer to home this Saturday night as the Civil War Series takes part in the Napa Valley Challenge at the famed Calistoga Speedway. Nestled in the Napa Wine Country, Calistoga is California's largest track at a half mile in length. With his recent success at Placerville, Mendes is looking forward to another start in the feature at Calistoga.
"I was totally stoked about Saturday night," said Mendes. "We made our goal of making the feature event and finishing in the top ten. Qualifying fast time out of 43 cars that was huge bonus for the night. Now I'm focused Calistoga. I had so much fun last time I was there. I would love to make the feature."

Saturday will mark the second appearance of the season at Calistoga for Mendes. In the June Calistoga Cup he qualified 29th and finished ninth in his race. His night concluded as being the alternate starter for the feature event after finishing 7th the B-feature.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events or check out their website at www.camronmendes.com.

PRESS PHOTO ATTACHED/File Photo Courtesy of Steve Lamothe
Cameron Mendes (29x) of Rohnert Park will head to Calistoga Speedway this Saturday, August 9th to compete in the Napa Valley Challenge.

Home track bound; Mendes looks ahead to Civil War #9 at track he calls home,Placerville Speedway

ROHNERT PARK, CA (7-27-08) - For the entire 2008 racing season, 17-year-old Camron Mendes has been competing with some of Northern California's top 360 sprint car drivers at Placerville Speedway on a weekly basis. This Saturday, the Cardinal Newman Catholic High School Junior is looking to put a tough weekend of racing behind him and is optimistic about competing on the distant track he calls home aboard his family owned JMS Motorsports #29x Sprint Car with the competitive Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series.

"We chose to race at Placerville for the whole season to run with the best drivers and learn from them," says Mendes, who travels over two and a half hours each Saturday to Placerville while Petaluma Speedway is just minutes from his Rohnert Park home. "The competition at Placerville is tough and I've learned so much by running there every week. So I think it was a good choice. We had a tough week at Petaluma and I am looking forward to the Civil War at Placerville."

Mendes is competing at Placerville Speedway in the hunt for the 2008 Rookie of the Year title. His quest for the honor prevents him from testing and tuning at various tracks on the Civil War Series like many drivers that are not in a point battle at a weekly facility are able to do. Saturday night, Mendes competed just minutes from home at Petaluma Speedway, a track that differs greatly in surface and characteristics then Placerville.

After qualifying 24th in the field on Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway, Mendes knew what he had to do to make the A-feature and maintain his position in the point standings when was 22nd entering the night. Mendes has competed in all but one Civil War event during the season and like most drivers, is gunning to be within the to 32 drivers in the standings in two weeks to be eligible for the September 3 Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational at Silver Dollar Speedway in September, the crown jewel and the highest paying event of the Civil War series annually.

In the fourth and final heat race of the evening, Mendes finished third to secure a starting spot in the A-feature. After struggling with a extremely tight race car and Petaluma's challenging North Bay surface, Mendes' night came to an end with eight laps complete when he spun and drew his second yellow flag of the night. Despite the early trip to the pit area, Mendes unofficially advanced into the top 20 positions in the current series point standings and has nearly secured a starting spot in the upcoming Pacific Sprint Cup with only two remaining Civil War events prior to the Gold Cup opener.
"The car was just too tight tonight," said Mendes. "We loosened it up but didn't loosen near enough for the main. We haven't run here too much this year. I'm glad we finished in one piece and I'm ready to back to Placerville this week and put this night behind us."

In the weekly Placerville Speedway Championship campaign, Mendes is in heated battle for the Rookie of the Year honors with fellow drivers Billy Strange Jr. and Trent Canales. Currently Mendes is 13th in the ranks and only five points separate him from Strange while only two point separate him from Canales for the honors. Mendes has won five heat races in 11 events at Placerville Speedway and is tied for the most preliminary wins with Shannon Newton. He has claimed four top ten finishes in feature event competition at the track far from home which he considers home.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events or check out their website at www.camronmendes.com.

ROHNERT PARK, CA (7-27-08) - For the entire 2008 racing season, 17-year-old Camron Mendes has been competing with some of Northern California's top 360 sprint car drivers at Placerville Speedway on a weekly basis. This Saturday, the Cardinal Newman Catholic High School Junior is looking to put a tough weekend of racing behind him and is optimistic about competing on the distant track he calls home aboard his family owned JMS Motorsports #29x Sprint Car with the competitive Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series.

"We chose to race at Placerville for the whole season to run with the best drivers and learn from them," says Mendes, who travels over two and a half hours each Saturday to Placerville while Petaluma Speedway is just minutes from his Rohnert Park home. "The competition at Placerville is tough and I've learned so much by running there every week. So I think it was a good choice. We had a tough week at Petaluma and I am looking forward to the Civil War at Placerville."

Mendes is competing at Placerville Speedway in the hunt for the 2008 Rookie of the Year title. His quest for the honor prevents him from testing and tuning at various tracks on the Civil War Series like many drivers that are not in a point battle at a weekly facility are able to do. Saturday night, Mendes competed just minutes from home at Petaluma Speedway, a track that differs greatly in surface and characteristics then Placerville.

After qualifying 24th in the field on Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway, Mendes knew what he had to do to make the A-feature and maintain his position in the point standings when was 22nd entering the night. Mendes has competed in all but one Civil War event during the season and like most drivers, is gunning to be within the to 32 drivers in the standings in two weeks to be eligible for the September 3 Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational at Silver Dollar Speedway in September, the crown jewel and the highest paying event of the Civil War series annually.

In the fourth and final heat race of the evening, Mendes finished third to secure a starting spot in the A-feature. After struggling with a extremely tight race car and Petaluma's challenging North Bay surface, Mendes' night came to an end with eight laps complete when he spun and drew his second yellow flag of the night. Despite the early trip to the pit area, Mendes unofficially advanced into the top 20 positions in the current series point standings and has nearly secured a starting spot in the upcoming Pacific Sprint Cup with only two remaining Civil War events prior to the Gold Cup opener.
"The car was just too tight tonight," said Mendes. "We loosened it up but didn't loosen near enough for the main. We haven't run here too much this year. I'm glad we finished in one piece and I'm ready to back to Placerville this week and put this night behind us."

In the weekly Placerville Speedway Championship campaign, Mendes is in heated battle for the Rookie of the Year honors with fellow drivers Billy Strange Jr. and Trent Canales. Currently Mendes is 13th in the ranks and only five points separate him from Strange while only two point separate him from Canales for the honors. Mendes has won five heat races in 11 events at Placerville Speedway and is tied for the most preliminary wins with Shannon Newton. He has claimed four top ten finishes in feature event competition at the track far from home which he considers home.

Camron Mendes and the JMS Motorsports #29x sprint car are financially supported by the Schellinger Brothers, VSR VanLare Steering Repair of Windsor and A1A Performance Muffler of Santa Rosa. The team is actively seeking additional sponsorship and welcomes you to visit them at any of the upcoming events or check out their website at www.camronmendes.com.

First Race - March 21 and 22  - The Silver Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico.
The Silver Cup Race of Champions continues it's annual two night racing format this weekend, March 21 and 22, at the Silver Dollar Speedway. Three divisions will compete on the quarter-mile clay oval racing surface. The winged 360 sprint cars will highlight the event along with the wingless sprints and dirt modified's. There will be plenty of racing action this weekend with Friday night hosting preliminary racing and Saturday night each division will race a 30 lap feature main event.