Tag: Chico

For over half a century, Sprint Cars have converged in the Golden State of California to go wheel to wheel for pride, glory and a big pay day. On September 12th and 13th, Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. will play host to the 58th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. The event, which typically is considered one of the crown jewel events in Sprint Car racing, will mark the second time in 2011 that the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series has visited the quarter mile bull ring and is a pivotal race in the final stretches of the season.

“The Gold Cup has for years been one of the biggest races in California and has always been a race that you wanted to put your name on,” explained 2010 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Champion and Gold Cup race winner Jason Meyers. It meant the world to myself and our entire team last year to add the Gold Cup to our list of accomplishments and we are looking forward to going for the repeat this year.”

Meyers, a native of Clovis, Calif. became just the 8th driver in series history to claim the series title in an exciting point’s battle between himself and four time champion Donny Schatz. Meyers currently holds the point lead over Schatz and recently picked up his fourth win of 2011. Schatz has been on a tear since winning the 51st Goodyear Knoxville Nationals and is looking to play the role of spoiler as the Outlaws head to Meyer’s home turf. Sitting in third is the 20-time Champion and 12 time Gold Cup race winner, Steve Kinser. The Bloomington, Ind. native is beginning to pick up momentum as he tries to capture an unprecedented 21st title. The spring winner at Silver Dollar Raceway, Craig Dollansky, finds himself fourth in points and tied with Steve Kinser for most wins on the season with seven. The Elk River, Minn. resident had the car to beat in March and is as hungry as ever. Rounding out the top-5 in the points standings is California native Paul McMahan.

“Gold Cup would be awesome to win,” said McMahan, who now resides in Nashville, Tenn. “The format is a little bit different with it being a two day show. I’ve been going to Gold Cup since 1978 and it’s race I’ve always wanted to win. It would be a dream come true.”

The Outlaws will take their ever tightening points battle into Silver Dollar Speedway with $10,000 on the line as well as bragging rights for the year. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.SilverDollarSpeedway.com

Photos courtesy of Steve LaMothe from Steve’s Racing Photos.

By Bill Sullivan /Civil War Series Media Relations

CHICO, CA (5-29-11) – Before the background of the colorful Silver Dollar Fair and the capacity filled grandstand of enthusiastic fans it provided, the Hoosier Racing Tires Silver War Race Series and the Silver Dollar Wingless Sprint Cars provided entertainment that was second to none Sunday night at the famed Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. In the end one of the regions future legends celebrated in victory lane with another driver has already earned that legendary status quo.

Known as “Mr. Excitement” to his peers and colleagues in the sport, Auburn hot shoe Andy Forsberg drove his way to his second victory of the season in the 2011 Civil War Sprint Car Series here. With the win the five time series champion becomes the first repeat winner of the season in the premier traveling series for winged sprint cars. Forsberg celebrated in victory lane with the legendary Jimmy Sills who now hails from Elverta. Sills drove to a hard earned victory in the Silver Dollar Wells Fargo Series Wingless Sprint Cars

All season long the traveling Civil War Sprint Car Series has been impressive in the way of car counts at each event where it competes. Sunday evening was by far the most impressive yet as a total of 49 cars qualified on the Silver Dollar clay. Another impressive aspect, the evening prior to the event the Chico area underwent heavy rains and in the morning hours track officials questioned if the race would even take place due to the saturated ground and flooded facility. It was the teamwork of track promoter Dennis Gage and his crew and that of the Silver Dollar Fair that converged to make sure the show did go on.

“A lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to put a track together, especially when you have bad weather working against you,” said Forsberg. “Sure we all like to complain about track conditions where ever we go but let me tell you guys something; to put this track together today considering what happened here last night is pretty amazing. This race is important because it brings a lot of new faces to the track with the fair and hopefully if they like what they see they come back on Friday nights.”

Sunday’s crowd that packed the Silver Dollar grandstands was by far one of the most enthusiastic in recent history. Like Forsberg attested to, when the checkered flag flew all of them undoubtedly left the fairgrounds feeling well entertained to say the least.

Following all of the preliminary events, the 30-lap feature event for the Civil War Sprint Cars got off to a wild start with multiple red flags flying before the official green ever came out. Former Champion Mike Henry was the first driver to roll over and pause the start. Placerville’s Jimmy Trulli was the second victim of a traffic jam in turn four. Both racers were down for the count with great damage to their cars. When the official green flag eventually did fly, Forsberg started on then outside of the front row and made good use of the position as early as the first lap.

Charging ahead of pole sitter Herman Klein of Sacramento, Forsberg took a lead he would never relinquish in the event that ran all but it’s final six laps due to time constraints. Klein challenged Forsberg throughout the race and closed in within striking distance on several occasions as the two seasoned wheelmen dueled in lapped traffic along with third place runner John Michael Bunch of Paradise and two time champion and point leader Sean Becker of Antelope.

Once Sunday’s race was under the green flag it didn’t come without incident. In his heated battled for third place with Becker, Bunch took a wild tumble in the second turn to draw a red flag. Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley also suffered a damaging rollover that ended his night with just four laps complete.

In the waning laps of the race, Forsberg was challenged by Klein who closed in lapped traffic. Shane Geologic moved into the mix late in the race as he charged into the third position to pressure Klein. At the 24 lap mark a final caution forced officials to draw the checkered flag. Forsberg picked up the win followed by Klein, Golobic and Robbie Whitchurch of Chico.

“This race wore me out tonight, 49 cars is really something,” said Forsberg. “I heard Herman Klein was coming up fast behind me but this F&F car was perfect tonight, I could run almost anywhere. I hope everyone here tonight liked what they watched and will come back and support this place on Friday nights.”

In the Silver Dollar Wingless Sprint Cars, Sills drove an exciting race to the victory as well. Driving for car owner Charlie Mars, Sills took the lead from the pole position over second place starter Braeden Enos and never relinquished the top spot for the 20-lap affair.

With six laps down, Sills raced his way into lapped traffic as Enos closed in on the leader. Fourth place starter Scott Hall of Lincoln, Sills’ nephew, was determined to catch his high speed family member and give him a run for his money. Hall overtook Enos for the second position and tucked beneath Sills to challenge for the lead on several occasions, they even banged wheels at one point and took part in a friendly game of bumper tag during a yellow that was well enjoyed by the crowd.

As the race continued, Sills eventually broke into a healthy lead as Hall faded back a pair of position with overheated brakes. At the finish line Sills took the win ahead of Kyle Hirst of Sacramento who raced both classes Sunday. Cody Myers of Browns Valley finished in third followed by Hall and Alex Schutte.

“We’re having fun in this wingless class this year,” said Sills. “Charlie gives me a really good car to drive wherever we go. It’s always fun to come here to Chico for the fair race. The crowd is great and racing is usually pretty intense too with new drivers showing up. We had a good run tonight and I think we put on a great show for the fans too.”

Action will return to Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday night, June 10 as the Wells Fargo, Hoosier Tires, Riebes Auto Parts championship season resumes. The Civil War Sprint Car Series will new prepare for a special weeknight event at Placerville Speedway on Wednesday, June 8th as Placerville Speedway hosts the popular ‘Wild Winged Wednesday.” For more information on Silver Dollar Speedway log on to www.silverdollarspeedway.com. For further information on the Civil War Series check out www.civilwarsprints.com.

By Bill Sullivan /Civil War Series Media Relations

CHICO, CA (5-29-11) – When it comes to traditions at the annual Silver Dollar Fair, the sight of winged sprint cars before a colorful backdrop of carnival sights and sounds is right up at the top of the list with cotton candy, funnel cakes and the Ferris Wheel. It’s fair time at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds this week so step right up and witness the fire breathing sprint cars of the Civil War Sprint Car Series as it brings it’s amazing stars such as “The Shark, Mr. Excitement, Chicko, The Human Highlight Reel” and many more to the Silver Dollar arena.
When it comes to the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series its much more that catchy nicknames, it’s a racing series will never let an avid open wheel race fan down and is sure to bring a first time spectator back to the track once they witness the spectacle. The latest version of California’s premier series for 360 cubic inch powered winged sprint cars has already begun to produce a stellar chase for the coveted statewide championship title.

On Sunday night the open wheel racing will entertain fans at a bargain price as the Civil War Sprint Car Series takes to Silver Dollar Speedway for its second visit of the year and it’s fourth segment of the season. This event is second to none when it comes to quality entertainment at a bargain price. Admission to the speedway is free with admission to the fair which is just $8 for adults, $3.00 for children from ages 6-12. Children under six will be admitted for free and seniors are just $4.

Sunday’s event for the Civil War Series is the fourth event in the 2011 series that competes at six different California tracks throughout the year. The event will pay $3000 to the winner and $300 just to start the feature race. This is the premier traveling series for winged 360 powered sprint cars in California and produces higher car counts than any other traveling series in the state both winged and wingless. Sunday’s event is one of three visits to Silver Dollar Speedway, the series returns in September to open the Gold Cup Race of Champions with the “Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational.”

Entering Sunday’s race, former two time champion Sean Becker of Antelope leads the Civil War point standings after the completion of three events. Becker currently sits 15 points ahead of Visalia’s Steven Tiner. Defending five time champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn is lurking in the top three as well. Forsberg is just 16-points out of the lead. Sitting in fourth place is Herman Klein of Sacramento.

Rounding out the top five is Penngrove’s Alissa Geving. The former series Rookie of the Year is 20 points out of the lead. Former Civil War champion Mike Henry of Citrus Heights is in the sixth position over Sebastopol’s Geoff Ensign. Former Silver Dollar Rookie of the Year Kyle Hirst of Sacramento is eighth ahead of Elk Grove’s Nicole Miller. Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley rounds out the top ten in the series.

With three races in the history books, the Civil War Series is looking to be one of the most competitive yet. A mere 60-points separate the 10th place driver from the point leader which clearly illustrates that this campaign features the best of the west on any given night and hosts a posse of talented drivers who are all capable of taking home a win in any event as the playing field is more than level.

In three events the series has produced three different winners. Becker was the latest winner in War #3 at Silver Dollar Speedway. Stephen Allard of Chico won round two of the campaign at Placerville Speedway and defending champion Forsberg, better known as “Mr. Excitement” won the series opener at Petaluma Speedway. Over the three events that have taken place, 56 different drivers have already competed and earned points in the Civil War Series. Twelve different drivers have claimed heat race victories. Eighteen different drivers have earned top ten finishes. Nine different drivers have finished in the top five in the three events and two different drivers have earned fast time awards.

Sunday’s event will be well worth the price of admission as the Civil War Series brings nearly 40 of California’s high speed rebels without a cause to the exciting banks of Silver Dollar Speedway for a bargain price. Remember, admission to the speedway is free with fair admission. This is an incredible value that offers hours of entertainment over the holiday weekend.

In addition to the Civil War Sprint Cars, the Silver Dollar Speedway Wingless Sprint Cars will also be in competition on Sunday night. These exciting wingless cars are an excellent co-star to the winged warriors wherever they race and will ensure an action packed night of racing.
The grandstands at Silver Dollar Speedway will open at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Qualifying will begin at 6:30. An early arrival to the track is suggested as this annual race in conjunction with the Silver Dollar Fair routinely packs the grandstands due to its bargain price and top billing.

For further information on this upcoming event visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com or www.civilwarsprints.com. The Civil War Series is managed by Handy Racing Promotions Inc. in cooperation with the participating tracks on the tour including Petaluma Speedway, Calistoga Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway, American Valley Speedway and Ocean Speedway. Learn more about this exciting traveling series at their official website today.

Thanks to Steve LaMothe of Steve’s Racing Photos for the generous use of his photos.