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PRESS RELEASE, HOOSIER RACING TIRES CIVIL WAR SERIES
FROM THE OFFICE OF JOHN PADJEN MOTORPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: [email protected]
Calistoga may know spring water but Elk Grove's DeCaires knows Calistoga
2005 Civil War champion returns to "the big one" Saturday as only previous race winner
By Bill Sullivan
John Padjen Motorsports
CALISTOGA, CA – The small town of Calistoga is nestled in the scenic Napa Valley and is known for many attractions including wine, fine dining, hot springs and the home of the Calistoga Spring Water Company. Aside from the tourism and agricultural characteristics, Calistoga is also the home of California's largest dirt racetrack, the famed Calistoga Speedway.
At a half mile in length and poised in the shadow of the impressive Mt. Saint Helena, Calistoga Speedway is by far the most intimidating tracks in the Golden State. Why is this special place so intimidating?
Simply put it's a combination of items including Calistoga's great size and average speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. But by far, the most intimidating fact in every driver's mind when they race at Calistoga Speedway is remembering that 10 different drivers have parished as a result of accidents there in the early days of racing.
"Calistoga Speedway is an intimidating old girl," says Elk Grove's Greg DeCaires, one of some 30 drivers that will be racing Calistoga this Saturday night for the fifth round of the Civil War Sprint Car Series. "It's a special place to all of us. She is big, she is fast and you have to respect her. If you don't respect this track she can bite you pretty hard."
Entering Saturday's event, DeCaires is the only previous winner of the annual Civil War Calistoga Cup in the returning field. Prior to winning this prestigeous race in June of 2003, the man who is known as the "catfish" turned many laps at the famed half mile while racing with the now defunct Northern Auto Racing Club. DeCaires won his first ever feature win at the speedway in August of 1992 while piloting the popular Bumgarner #88 sprint car.
With two Calistoga wins on his resume along with championship titles in the Civil War Series, Placerville Speedway and Silver Dollar Speedway DeCaires will bring two characteristics with him Saturday night that prove successful at Calistoga Speedway, experience and patience.
"This is one of my favorite places to race, and it's also the scariest so its kind of a love hate relationship I guess," said DeCaires. "But that's how we all feel coming here. If you race on this track you better be scared in some fashion. If you aren't scared of this track chances are you are going to get hurt."
In his previous Calistoga Cup victory in 2003, DeCaires was aboard the #1k Redi- Green Motorsports Sprint Car. The following year the team returned with Pennsylvania hot shoe Mike Wagner behind the wheel to win a second cup race. This year, DeCaires will be aboard the competitive #35 sprint car owned by John Taylor Motorsports. This will mark the third year DeCaires will be in the cockpit of Taylor's car at Calistoga Speedway and a victory with the team would be bitter sweet as DeCaires will part ways with Taylor at the end of this season to return to the Golden State Challenge in 2008 aboard the newly formed NMI Industrial #24 sprint car.
"I can't thank the Taylor family enough for what they have given me in this team for the last four years," said DeCaires, following his victory at Placerville last Saturday. "Every night this car is perfect and I have the easy job. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into Calistoga. I would love to win one there for John Taylor."
Due to a family commitment, Taylor will be unable to attend Saturday's race. A former open wheel driver himself, Taylor is confident of the team's ability at California's own track that is too tough to tame.
"It will be tough not being there with them for this one," said Taylor. "But I'm sending them with everything they need and plenty of crew. Greg knows that place far more than I do so I am confident they will do just fine. They will keep me posted by cell phone throughout the night."
DeCaires is currently fifth in the 2006 Civil War Series point standings. Andy Forsberg of Auburn is the current point leader. Forsberg has never won at Calistoga Speedway but much like DeCaires he brings a vast amount of knowledge to the track as competitor and the son of Richard Forsberg, a three-time Calistoga Speedway winner.
"This isn't just any other track that's for sure," said Forsberg. "My dad raced her many times and when I dreamed of winning as a child it was always at Calistoga. Since the day's my dad raced here these cars have gotten a lot faster but we have improved safety technology as well. No matter what you have to use your head at this place because the slightest error could end up in disaster."
Rohnert Park's Brett Rollag is second in the point standings ahead of Colby Wiesz of Colfax. Sacramento's Mike Henry ranks fourth ahead of DeCaires, Andy Gregg of Placerville, Indian's Brandon Winner and Jackson's Matt Petty.
The gates of the Napa County Fairground will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The pit gate will open at 3:30 to allow all race teams to unload on the infield before parking their transporters in the parking area. Qualifying is set to begin at 6:30. All seating is general admission at $20 for adults and $10 for children. For additional information on the Civil War Series visit www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.
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