Getting back to work after a weekend off to enjoy the Easter Holiday, Kerry Madsen and his Keneric Racing/American Racing team picked up a pair of Top-Five finishes at the Calistoga Speedway in Calistoga, CA over the weekend after earning Hard Charger honors at the Placerville Speedway on Wednesday night.

“I am really pleased with how things went over the weekend in Calistoga, CA,” Madsen said. “We were unable to put ourselves in the Dash each night, but the guys gave me a great car, and we were able to work our way into the Top-Five each night.”

The two day event in beautiful Calistoga, CA got underway on Saturday night, and with 35 cars checked into the pit area, Madsen timed his entry in seventh fastest before finishing third in heat race action.

Lining up in the 11th spot for the 25-lap feature event, Madsen was able to carve his way around the ½ mile facility getting by drivers like Craig Dollansky, Cody Darrah, and Donny Schatz.

Hooking up in an exciting duel with Donny Schatz following a restart with two to go, Madsen would look to fend off the reigning series champion, but as the duo came to the checkered flag, a slowing Joey Saldana allowed Schatz to get by, as Madsen was able to avoid Saldana and finish in the fifth spot.

Back in action on Sunday, an early start time saw the track slick off very early in the night’s program, and after timing the KPC/Morrison Racing Engines powered No. 29 machine in sixth fastest, Madsen worked his way into the second spot in his heat race, and challenged for the top spot, only to have a lapped car check up, and let the leader get away as he settled for a second place finish.

Again, finding himself behind the Dash cars in the feature event, Madsen lined up in the fifth row, as he got off to a slow start. Slipping back to as far as the 12th spot in the feature event, Madsen would find himself back in 10th when the race’s final caution flew on the 17th lap.

Over the final eight circuits, Madsen came alive on the bottom of the speedway, as he was able to get by Gravel and Allard on the restart, before getting by Sweet and Meyers in the finals laps to secure a fifth place finish.

“Sunday night I just did not get to the bottom in time, but once we did, we were really strong,” Madsen said. “After a frustrating night on Wednesday night, it was great to close the week out like this. I have to thank everyone at American Racing for their support, and the Gavranich family back home in Australia.”

2015 BY THE NUMBERS- Starts-30, Wins-6, Top-5’s-19, Top 10’s-25

ON TAP: Madsen will get this weekend off before returning to action on Wednesday, April 8th at the Placerville Speedway in Placerville, CA.