Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

Placerville presents El Dorado County New Car Dealers championship opener this Saturday

by Bill Sullivan

PLACERVILLE, CA – The dents have been removed, the motors have been freshened and the firesuits are home from the cleaners. It’s time to go championship racing at Alan Padjen’s Placerville Speedway this Saturday night with the opening round of the 2008 El Dorado County New Car Dealers, Hoosier Tires, Coors Light championship racing season.  

Headlining the roster will be the 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars which will be joined by the late model style Pro Stock division, the Pure Stocks and a guest division each week, the Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association will join the program for Saturday’s opener. 

Four different venues will share the spotlight in the guest division category this season. The colorful coupes of the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars are schedules for seven visits throughout the year. This division is one of the most popular visiting divisions annually at Placerville, entertaining the most serious of race fans as well as delighting families and children with their colorful high speed antics. 

The Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Spec Sprint Cars are slated for six total visits this season. Now one of California’s most popular open wheel racing divisions, the wingless sprints will compete in a twin track championship once again this year, accumulating points for a season title between Placerville and Silver Dollar Speedway throughout the year. 

The Bay Cities Racing Association will be a a big part of the season to come. The chain driven Midget Lites will make eight total appearances throughout the year competing both winged and wingless. The four cylinder powered traditional wingless midgets will bring their “on the dge of your seats” program here a total of four different times during the year. 

Special events to mark on your racing calendar during the year will include the annual Independence Day Spectacular on Friday July 4^th when auto racing and a pyrotechnics display come together to celebrate the holiday. The third annual Mark Forni Memorial event is slated for July 12 this season. Once big weekend that’s fun for the whole family will begin on Saturday August 16^th with Morrison Concrete’s “Kids Night” followed by the annual Placerville Police Officers Association Hangtown Destruction Derby the following Sunday, August 17^th. 

Entering Saturday’s event, defending track champion Greg DeCaires of Elk Grove will return to action with a new team. After parting ways with longtime car owner John Taylor last season, DeCaires will pilot the Sutter Creek based #10x Breshears Family owned sprint car. DeCaires will drive the car for each of the championship point races while Peter Breshears will compete in the Civil War events and will utilize much of DeCaires’ experience and insight as he enters his second year of racing. 

“That’pretty much the plan for me this year,” said DeCaires. “Running the whole season and the Civil War was a little more then they wanted to take on this year so we’ll share the seat. During he Civil War I will likely be in Mark Remunds #39 car and we’ll do our best to park together and help one another out. It should be a fun year.” 

While DeCaires returns to defend his fourth California driving title, Taylor returns as well to defend his ownership championship title. This year Taylor has hired veteran driver Colby Wiesz of Colfax to drive the competitive Thompson’s Auto Center #35. Wiesz became available to Taylor during the winter months when he unstrapped from the FnF Racing #X1 team to permit David Robinson Jr. of Foresthill to return to the driver’s seat after a two-year hiatus. 

“It’s going to be an interesting year to say the least,” said Taylor. “We’re excited to have Colby in the John Taylor Motorsports #35 car and look forward to the year. He’s looking forward to racing against David (Robinson) again as just about everyone is. It was something that all worked out for everyone.” 

Local favorite Andy Gregg of Placerville is commited to running the entire championship season in 2008. The Civil War Championship runner up last season, Gregg is sure to resume his weekly battles with friendly rival Andy Forsberg of Auburn who will also be a regular in the Saturday night series. Placerville’s own James Sweeney is geared up for a run at the series title as well. Sweeney was the 2006 Rookie of the Year and will set his sights on the championship this season with the likes of Placerville’s Scott Russell, CJ Humphreys, Justin Johnson of Shingle Springs and many more. 

In the Pro Stock division, look for 2008 champion Marek Bernert of Fair Oaks to return. Bernert will be joined by Placerville’s own Forryst Carnett, the 2007 Rookie of the Year. Two time track champion Mike Moran of Rancho Cordova is expected to return along with Camino’s Del Tremblay, Jimmy Tremblay of Pollock Pines and longtime El Dorado favorite Dennis Armstong. Dan Brown Jr. of Nevada City is also expected to compete in his third year of competition. 

Another name that is expected to make an appearance is one that is always recognized with Placerville Speedway – Tilford. Two years ago Jon Tilford of Folsom followed in the footsteps of his uncle, the legendary Donnie Tilford, to win the division championship and go down in history as his brother Tom Tilford captured the Pure Stock title the same year. Both drivers are expected to compete in some capacity in the year to come along with Matt Tilford, who finished second in the Pure Stock division last year. 

Moving to the Pure Stock division, Jason Englund of Citrus Heights returns as the defending champion this year. Mike McClure is expected to be in action along with Burney McClure, Danielle Clauson of Placerville will return along with Brian Stevens, Heath Scher and Kenny Vogele Jr. all of Pollock Pines. This trio will pay tribute to the late Terry Scher on opening night with a special salute that includes the dedication of a new flag pole in his honor sponsored by the Cold Springs Community Church of Placerville.  

The gates to Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday with AMB Electronic Scoring qualifying starting at 6:30 for the sprint cars followed by full racing programs for all divisions. Adult tickets will be $12, juniors and seniors will be $10 and children $5. Under six will be admitted for free. 

For additional information on the upcoming season at Placerville Speedway be sure to add www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com to your favorites list in your web browser. A select few nightly sponsorship packages are currently available for the upcoming season and information can be obtained by calling the track office at (916) 969-7484