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July 28, 2011
Always exciting California transplants "Demon" Damion Gardner and Robert "The Wildman" Ballou announced this week that they will be competing in the 2011 Louie Vermeil Classic held annually at the famed Calistoga Speedway (Saturday & Sunday Sept. 3-4, 2011). Both Gardner and Ballou are fresh off of Indiana Sprint Week wins at Haubstadt and Lawrenceburg, respectively.
In 2010, Gardner drove Rod Tiner's potent sprint car and swept the event winning both nights against a stout field of non-wing drivers. As the event's reigning champ, he is returning this year with his own Pace Lighting/DG Racing #71 race team. Damion is looking to continue his dominance of this event.
Ballou will be returning for a second consecutive year, but this year will be driving for the Keith Ford owned #73 team. Ballou is seeking his first win at the Calistoga Speedway 1/2 mile clay. His elbows up aggressive style is always the guy to watch on the race track.
The Louie Vermeil Classic expects a large group of sprint cars, as this year the event will be co-sanctioned by USAC/CRA and the USAC Western Classic Series. Both days will host pre-race events that include a raffle, silent auction as well as a fantastic wine pouring meet & greet sponsored by Vermeil Wines that includes wine tasting from some of Napa Valley's most popular wineries, free BBQ gourmet sausages, live music and a competitor autograph session (Saturday 1pm-5pm). On Sunday (1-5pm), the return of the Louie Vermeil Classic Beer Garden will also include live music and a gourmet sausage BBQ. More information such as a full lineup of wineries and breweries will be posted at the event's official website www.louievermeilclassic.net as the event draws closer. The cost of wine and beer events are just $10 per glass each day for unlimited tasting. This is a tremendous deal! All proceeds from both the wine/beer events are contributed directly back to the event purse and shared amongst the drivers, so please come out early and support these events.
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