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Now that I have had some time I would like to thank everyone who made the fifth annual tribute to Al Hinds a huge success. Here it goes..
First of all, a big thank you to John, Robbie and Alan Padjen for believing in me five years ago when I called you and asked about starting this race for the guy who was a dear friend to me, my dad and so many people in this sport.
Thank you to Tony Montalbano, Mike Dent and Paul Casabaro of Family Chevrolet for their commitment to this community and the continued support of this race. This year we brought it to a new level with the car show and the BBQ at their dealership and well over 500 people attended. Tony purchased additional tickets to the race that night for customers and they gave out more that 450 tickets to fans, customers, etc….to many people that had never been to a race and that’s awesome. Seeing the kids at the car show meeting drivers, etc…it was so refreshing to see because again….thats what this is all about !.
Thank you to Dan and DSR Graphics for the fifth straight year of the fast time award to this race.
To all of the drivers that got up early that morning to participate in the show, both Alan Padjen and myself offer our gratitude:
To Cameron Mendes and Alissa Geving and their groups…you guys had one of the longest hauls to get to the event, thank for you getting up so early and doing so.
To Justin Johnson and his dad Ernie who helped create a back up parking plan for the rigs if needed and being the first ones there to help set it up….
To Scott Russell, who worked at his job all night and made it back home in time to load up and make the show. I hope I am not leaving anyone out here but big thank yous continue to go out to Dave Shanks, Chad Compton, Chistian Stover, John Taylor, the FnF Group, Billy Strange Jr., Jimmy Trulli, Scott Kinney, James Sweeney and EVERYONE who made it !
To Kyle Larson and their family, thank you for not only participating but thank you for the trivia giveaway at the track from RPM..same to all who pitched in.
Thanks to Jim Strauss of Strauss Foods for sponsoring the burgers and hot dogs for the event, Strauss is just as much a legend in this town at Hinds…a true community partner !
Saturday night I witnessed the largest crowd I have seen at Placerville since the last World of Outlaws event here, it was actually larger then the recent July fourth events. Seeing everyone on their feet as the field went four wide with the missing man formation…it was awesome, just like our friend Ron Pestana said, there was an energy at Placerville last night like no other and we need to continue that energy from here on out as this sport and you, the fans are the BEST.
Al Hinds was unique character, he was a friend to the racer and a fiend to the community…many people there last night new him and there were many that never met him. But after last night those that didn’t know him learned what he meant to so many of us and to the sport of auto racing. Thank you to all of you for your support, your attendance, participation and believing in the cause.!
Thank you..all of you !
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