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Matt Crafton from Tulare is fired up to race in Nashville

Matt Crafton from Tulare CA, who will turn 35 on June 11th, is in his tenth year racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for ThorSport Racing. He finished 4th last year and up until the last race in Martinsville, Matt had been the points leader all year. He is one of the most successful NorCal drivers and we will follow his progress towards the Truck Series Championship. Here is a press release from his race team about the upcoming race in Nashville, Tennessee.

Matt Crafton from Tulare, CA. Photo courtesy of www.mattcrafton.com.

Sandusky, Ohio – April 20, 2011 – Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Menards / Ideal Door Chevrolet Silverado for ThorSport Racing, sums up Nashville in two words. Fired up. The veteran driver, on a quest for the championship in 2011, looks in the rear view at an 11th place finish in Martinsville and knows it’s time to prove how his team can perform this year at Nashville and beyond. Sitting second in driver points contention going into the race, as well as one top five and five top 10s in eleven appearances – a seventh place finish or better in the last three races – he knows what is possible.

“Yep, I’m fired up. There is no other way to say it. Me and my guys were seeing red, blood red, after Martinsville,” said Crafton. “We knew we were a better team than that performance, especially this year. It takes perfection at the race track week in, week out to beat the field in this environment in the Truck Series. We know we can do it. So I told my guys this week when I flew to Sandusky – ‘we are going to finish where we left off in Martinsville.’ We are, and we will, prove that we can win races and hopefully win championships with consistent performances.”

ThorSport Racing Sets Standard in 2011

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series recently reported that “ThorSport Racing is, arguably, the team to beat in 2011.” Crafton is five points away from the leader spot where his teammate, Johnny Sauter sits. Crafton has been atop the standings for the first four races of the season.

Nashville Superspeedway’s Bully Hill Vineyards 200 marks ThorSport Racing’s 327th consecutive race, matching that of Circle Bar Racing for second all-time. Crafton has been a part of the organization since 2001, one of the longest-standing driver/team owner relationships in the Series. That determination and loyalty sits well with the driver and his confidence on the race track.

Matt Crafton in the #88 Menard's Chevrolet Truck. Photo courtesy of www.thorsport.com.

“I say this all the time – Duke and Rhonda Thorson are like second parents to me. Duke and I talk on the phone sometimes twice a day, just talking about life,” says Crafton. “They are such a strong, supportive leadership team for all of their drivers. I am so confident going to the track that they ‘have my back,’ in however we perform. So me and my guys know on the 88 that we have a responsibility to that family. The Menards family, and also the ThorSport family. This can be our year.”

He went on to say that it’s time to really tackle this track. “It’s no secret that I really love asphalt tracks, and I’m pretty outspoken about it. Concrete is a challenge. But again, we really are not just competitive this year, but ready to win races at any track. We’re bringing the No. 35 chassis for the 88 team – used most recently at Darlington. It was strong there, and Bud and I have worked on it since. Time to race and show how we can make it happen in Nashville. I want a Gibson guitar.”

– ThorSport Racing Press Release

For more information on Matt Crafton please visit: www.mattcrafton.com or to keep track of all his results visit www.racing-reference.info.

Sean Becker from Antelope, CA wins at Placerville Speedway

The 2011 racing season is underway and most of the NorCal tracks have already begun their schedules. We will try and post the highlights or press releases from as many Northern California tracks as we can. Please feel free to send us photos or highlights from your favorite race track or about your favorite driver. Here is a press release from Handy Racing Promotions about the racing at Placerville Speedway last Saturday night.

Sean Becker of Antelope, CA at Placerville Speedway. Photo by Donna Peter.

PLACERVILLE, CA (4-16-10) – The 2011 Fast and Furious Dirt Track Racing Season resumed at Placerville Speedway Saturday with the second Red Hawk Casino-Hoosier Tires Championship race of the season at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Three divisions formed the evening’s race card with familiar faces returning to victory lane. The night paid tribute to a long time speedway supporter in the county with “Doug Veerkamp General Engineering Night” at the speedway.

In the winged Sprint Car division, Sean Becker of Antelope picked up his first victory of the new season along with Dan Brown Jr. of Grass Valley who took home the win in the Late Model feature. In the Pure Stock division the victor was Clarence Holbrook III of West Sacramento.

A total of 23 cars formed the roster in Saturday’s sprint car division. After qualifying sixth in the field and finishing third in his heat race aboard the Scott Miller owned #2sb sprint car. Becker started Saturday’s feature event on the pole with Placerville’s own Jimmy Trulli on the outside. Defending Champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn started on the inside of row two with fast qualifier Garen Linder in fourth.

At the waving of the green flag, The Shark accelerated out of the fourth turn and begin to leave Trulli in his wake as Forsberg eventually worked his way into second place to set his sites on his longtime friendly rival. As Becker drove the protective lower line of the speedway, Forsberg searched for a faster route aboard the F&F Racing #X1 to very little avail.

Racing towards lapped traffic, Becker permitted Forsberg to close in on the lead and get a nose wing beneath the leader at one point. On the closing lap, Becker protected his lead position by positioning a lapped car between he and Forsberg as they raced to the checkered flag. Becker picked up the win over Forsberg. Trulli finished in third place. Scott Russell, who started seventh, finished in fourth over eighth place starter Mike Henry of Citrus Heights.

In heat race action in this division, preliminary victories went to Shane Golobic of Fremont, Cody Lamar of Rio Linda and Kyle Hirst of Sacramento. The B feature was claimed by Chico’s Brett Miller over Russell, Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley, Jeremy Phillips of Arboga and Chris Masters of Napa.

Dan Brown Jr. from Grass Valley, CA. Photo by Donna Peter.

In the Limited Late Models division, Saturday night marked the first win of the new year for defending track champion Dan Brown Jr. of Grass Valley. Brown started the feature event on the inside of the second row behind front runners Thomas Arbogast of Auburn and opening night winner Les Friend of Galt.

With the green flag, Friend took charge of the lead over Arbogast and Brown then moved into second place to chase down the leader. With 15 laps complete, Brown moved in and stole the fast line that Friend was racing in to steal the lead. Friend then fell out of contention for the win while Arbogast moved into the bridesmaid position to chase the eventual winner.

At the finish line it was Brown, who stopped his car on the front stretch to perform his trademark “bow” to the crowd that yielded a mixed response. Arbogast finished in second followed by Jay Norton of Shingle Springs, Jason Englund of Citrus Heights finished in fourth followed by Matt Davis of Auburn.

In the Pure Stock division, Holbrook took home his second straight win of the season after racing his way past several veteran drivers in the front of the field. Holbrook started in the sixth position and watched the green flag go to pole sitter Chris Van Roekel of Grass Valley. With two laps complete, Burney McClure of Nevada City overtook Van Roekel for the lead.

Clarence Holbrook III from West Sacramento. Photo by Donna Peter.

With four laps in the history book, Holbrook worked his way into the third position and then powered into second place with six laps complete while being chased by defending champion Chris Curtiss of Placerville. On lap six Holbrook overtook the second position from veteran driver Rick Grunert of Woodland. Curtiss then stole the position from Holbrook on lap later and they dueled for the bridesmaid for several laps.

With 10 laps complete Curtiss fell out of the hunt and Holbrook resumed the position. On lap 13 he overtook McClure for the lead and never looked back. At the finish line he was followed by McClure, Scott Grunert of Woodland, Van Roekel and Curtiss.

Next Saturday night, April 23, 2011 racing returns to Placerville Speedway with all three weekly divisions along with the visiting Nor Cal Dwarf cars for a four division program. The grandstands at Placerville Speedway will open up once again at 5 p.m. on Saturday night. Qualifying begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by heat races at 7. Adult tickets will be $13, Juniors and Seniors will be $11, Children $6. Those five and under will be admitted for free.

There is a great article about Sean Becker and why he is called the shark by Gary Costa of HammerDownUSA.com here.

Our thanks to Donna Peter from Race Photos By Donna for the generous use of her photos.

Alissa Geving of Penngrove starts the season with a Top Five.

Alissa Geving is a 19 year old race car driver from Penngrove, CA which is near Petaluma. Like most drivers, she grew up watching her Dad race and couldn’t wait for the chance to race as well. She has since become one of the most successful woman sprint car drivers in the country, winning 2 track championships in Petaluma. She recently raced with the World of Outlaws at Calistoga Speedway and came away with a 14th place finish against some of the best drivers in the world. The following is a press release from her race team called Chick-O Motorsports. We will be sure to follow her progress as the season continues.

Two time Petaluma Speedway champion urges fans to join with her in the upcoming MS Walk.

Alissa Geving of Penngrove, CA in the driver's seat at Calistoga Speedway. Photo by Steve LaMothe.

By Bill Sullivan for Chicko Motorsports

PENNGROVE, CA (4-9 -11) – Two time Petaluma Speedway champion and former Civil War Series Rookie of the Year Alissa Geving of Penngrove, California began her quest for the 2011 Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series Championship this past weekend at the track she calls home, Petaluma Speedway. When the final checkered flag flew on the grand opening of the competitive series, Geving capped her first race of the series with a top five finish and a strong start to the 14 race series that competes at six different tracks.

“It was great to come back and race at home again with the Civil War Series,” said Geving, driver of the Chicko Motorsports #3x sprint car that carries the support of Tillett Tool, Pit Stop USA and Matt Cordeiro Enterprises. “I’ve always loved racing with this series and we worked really well together as a team to make our first race a strong one. I want to thank everyone on my own crew and to everyone at Petaluma Speedway that worked really hard to get the season started.”

Back in 2008, Geving capped her first full season in the Civil War Series with a top five finish in the point standings and earned the coveted Rookie of the Year Award in the traveling tour. Her success in the Civil War Series was just one section of her successful racing resume early in her career which now includes a pair of track championships and a Rookie of the Year title at Petaluma Speedway along with a recent 14th place finish with the World of Outlaws at Calistoga Speedway.

After Saturday’s strong performance on the 3/8 mile track located on the Sonoma Marin County Fairground, Geving could very well be on her way towards title competition in the Civil War Series. To earn a crown in this campaign a driver must display a great deal of patience and consistency mixed with a competitive edge to contend. These are all qualities that the 19-year old lady racer who holds the record as the youngest female champion in the nation possesses.

On Saturday, a healthy field of 34 cars entered the race at Petaluma Speedway. By luck of the draw, Geving was the first driver to take to the track for qualifying. Scoring a 13:313 second lap, Geving set the bar for the program Saturday night and only eight drivers were able to do it faster. With the official ninth spot in the qualifying effort, the #3x sprint car would sit in a good position in the forthcoming heat races.

Alissa Geving on the track in Petaluma. Photo by Steve LaMothe.

As she took to the track for the line up in the first race, Geving was greeted by the contingent of local fans that are excited to have her back racing locally after traveling for much of the 2010 racing season. She started third in the 10-lap preliminary race and drove her way to a second place finish at the checkered flag.

When the 30 lap feature event took to the track, the inversion placed Geving third on the grid amongst some of the toughest competitors in the series. Slicing and dicing her way through lapped traffic and using the fastest, smoothest line she could find around the track that is known as the wine country’s center of speed, Geving mixed it up with the best of the best. At the finish line she finished in fifth place behind fourth place runner and two time Civil War Champion Sean Becker, veteran Steven Tiner, the human highlight reel Geoff Ensign and the driver known as Mr. Excitement, Andy Forsberg, the defend series champion who won Saturday’s race.

“It was great racing with all of these drivers again, added Geving. “They are hands down some of the best teams to race with. They all have a ton of talent, skill and we all have great respect for one another. Sure, it would have been great to start the year off with a win at home but starting off with a top five in the Civil War is great.”

After Saturday’s opener, Geving is currently tied for the third position in the Civil War Series point standings with Becker. The tied duo is a total of six points behind point leader Andy Forsberg.

Geving carries the sponsorship of Tillett Tool of Santa Rosa along with the online superstore Pit Stop USA that is based in Petaluma and Napa’s Matt Cordeiro Enterprises a and Auto Repairs Unlimited with A1A Performance of Santa Rosa. Associate sponsors include Golden Gate Meat Company North, K&N Filters, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, R2C, Napa Auto Parts, Flowmaster Mufflers, Allstar Performance, Santa Rosa Auto Parts, Simpson Racing Products, 21st Century Health Club, , Pro Shocks, ALC Machine and JW Web Design.

To learn more about Alissa Geving visit her official website at www.chick-o-motorsports.com. Chicko Motorsports can also be found on facebook. Be sure to join Alissa Geving in the upcoming MS Walk talking place in Santa Rosa this Sunday, April 17th. Further information and the opportunity to make a pledge in her name are available on her website or click here.

All photos coutesy of Steve LaMothe from www.steveracingphotos.com.