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

Mini Gold Cup

I went back to California before the USAC National Midget season gets hectic in the Midwest with our new team. I flew into San Jose International Airport Thursday (March 8) afternoon where my car owner, Brian Sperry, picked me up and we headed straight for In-N-Out burger. I really wish they were nationwide. After lunch, he dropped me off at the race shop where I fitted my belts and loaded up the racecar. We headed to Brian's house early that evening to get cleaned up in order to meet my father for dinner at one my favorite Mexican restaurants.

We were on the road Friday morning by 11 a.m. for a three-and-a-half hour drive up to Chico, California for the Mini Gold Cup. We had a very up and down weekend. Friday night started off good where I ended up fourth quick of the 44 qualifiers. I was involved in an accident in the heat race so I had to race the C main. I transferred out of that and also out of the B main. I started 10th in the main event and ended up 12th.

On Saturday, I timed in 11th quick. I started fourth in the heat race and finished third, which locked me into the eight-car dash. I drew the number six pill and would finish where I started, placing me sixth for the main event. I was running fourth in the main when there was a malfunction with the steering coming out of turn four. My weekend ended in the front straightaway wall.

We were fast each night, but once again, I couldn’t seem to catch a break at Chico. Here is a list of my top 8 disappointments at Chico…

1. 4/18/2003 – Leading Civil War race and drop a cylinder, finished third
2. 6/13/2003 – Leading Civil War race and nose wing breaks, finished eighth
3. 4/16/2004 – Leading Civil War race and have power steering failure, finished fifth
4. 10/9/2004 – Running 3rd in Fall Nationals and get caught up in an accident, finished 10th
5. 4/15/2005 – Leading Civil War race and left rear tire goes flat, finished 15^th
6. 5/28/2005 – Running 2nd in Fair race when lapped car flips me, finished 14th
7. 5/13/2006 – Running 2nd in Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race and cut a right rear tire, finished 15th
8. 3/10/2007 – Running 4th in Mini Gold Cup and have a steering malfunction, finished 19th

I have a feeling my luck is going to change this weekend!!

Chuck Gurney Jr.

Chuck, you got that monkey off your back. Congrats on the win at Chico!!!!!!

Congrats Lil'Rim!

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