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Jimmy 'Love-shack' Pettit ready to kick off season at Silver Cup
By Gary Thomas
Chico, California – March 24, 2009…After having a career year in the wingless spec sprint ranks last season Chico, CA's Jimmy Pettit is locked and loaded to kick off his 2009 campaign at this weekend's annual running of the Silver Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway.
Pettit last season finished fifth in the final Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Car point standings, even despite the fact he only competed in 22 of the 28 point races during the year. The driver known as the "Love-shack" also scored four A-main event victories during the season, which tied for the second most wins among drivers in the division.
In addition to the wins last season Pettit also picked up 12 top-five finishes, 19 top-tens and tied for the most heat race victories with seven. He also finished a solid fourth at the Wingless Invitational, which was held on Wednesday night during the annual Gold Cup Race of Champions week in September. "It was really a great year last season and we put ourselves in position to win races and run up front which was a lot of fun," Pettit commented.
This season the wingless sprint car title will be decided solely on the races held at Silver Dollar Speedway, rather than in the past where events held in Placerville also counted towards the title. "I think it's a great move by Alan Padjen and the Handy Promotions staff," Pettit said. "This should make it easier for the teams to be able to run for points and will make the division even that much more competitive on a weekly basis."
This weekend's annual Silver Cup will feature three divisions on the card including Winged 360 Sprints, Wingless Spec Sprints and Dirt Modifieds. Last season Pettit brought home a finish of sixth at the Silver Cup after lining-up 17th on the grid and will look for more of the same this Friday & Saturday. "We're excited about opening up the season at the Silver Cup and are hoping for a good weekend to get the year started off on the right foot," Pettit said.
For 2009 Pettit will be chasing the Silver Dollar Speedway Wingless track championship with the possibility of two or three additional shows at the Placerville Speedway thrown in throughout the season. "Love-shack" will also have crew chief "Captain Ron" Kalpakoff back at his side for the year and the combination will be looking to carry over the momentum from last season.
Sponsors to begin the year on the No. 24p machine will include Skyway Tool Center, Pep Boys, Esplanade Taco Bell, Kevin Sharrah Designs, Fast Time Race Fuels, Pro Machine Racing Engines, Ing Excavation and Hunt Magnetos.
For more information on the Silver Cup this weekend visit http://www.silverdollarspeedway.com
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The "Love-shack" Jimmy Pettit will get his 2009 season started off at this weekend's annual Silver Cup in Chico. Gates open at 5pm both nights with racing expected to get underway around 7 each evening.
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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