This message was edited on
August 09, 2007 at
11:11:21 AM by pvvoice
PRESS RELEASE, HOOSIER TIRES CIVIL WAR RACE SERIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN, sullivanimages@sbcglobal.net
Civil War "Napa Valley Challenge" will now pay $3,000 to win Saturday
Cherry Street Mini Storage and the Carrier Family offer combined $1000 victory bonus
CALISTOGA, CA – The Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series will head back to the biggest track on it's tour this Saturday night, the scenic and intimidating half-mile Calistoga Speedway at the Napa County Fairgrounds.
Saturday's event will mark the 11th round of the 15 race series that visits 5 different California race tracks between March and October. The series is California's premier traveling race series for 360 cubic inch powered winged sprint cars and overs over $14,000 in winnings for each event in addition to over $20,000 in championship funds under the title sponsorship of Hoosier Racing Tires West. This Saturday, additional winnings have been announced by two generous sponsors.
Cherry Street Mini Storage of Ukiah will donate $500 towards the victory. Business owners Mike and Carol are avid race fans and frequent the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. Additionally, the family of the late Frank Carrier announced today they will also sponsor $500 to the victory Saturday night.Frank Carrier was a longtime crew chief for Auburn sprint car driver Andy Forsberg during his term with the Family Auto Service Golden State Challenge Series team. In 2004 Carrier lost his life following a sudden heart attack. His passing shocked many in the racing community and he continues to be missed by several teams along with Forsberg.
"Cherry Street Mini Storage is a great friend to this sport with their support of the Civil War and the Friday night events at Silver Dollar Speedway, Frank Carries was a dear friend to many drivers and teams in this series and is sorely missed," said Bill Sullivan of John Padjen Motorsports, promoters of the Civil War Series. "We're excited and grateful for both party's participation in the Napa Valley Challenge. Calistoga Speedway is a special place for all of these drivers but its also costly when it comes to traveling, lodging and tire wear. Thanks to sponsors like Cherry Street Mini Storage and the Carrier family this race offers more of an incentive to compete and draws media attention. This sport needs more contributors like this in the future."
Hoosier Tires are the official race tire of the Civil War Race Series as well as each of the tracks in the series program, including Placerville Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Petaluma Speedway, Marysville Raceway Park and Antioch Speedway.
Entering Saturday's event, defending three-time Civil War Series Champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn will lead the roster. Forsberg continues ton lead the standings in an effort to win his third series title in 2007. Entering Saturday's event, Forsberg will look to win his first ever event at the famed Calistoga half mile and contribute to his current 22-point lead in the series.
Veteran driver Colby Wiesz of Colfax is second in the standings. Wiesz is acareer three time Twin Cities Speedway champion with victories throughout California. Wiesz too will be seeking his second win in the series and a career first victory at Calistoga as he looks to close in on Forsberg's point lead about his F&F Racing #x1 sprint car.
Sitting in the third position is local area driver Brett Rollag of Rohnert Park. The 2004 Civil War Series Rookie of the Year is just 40-points out of the lead and has posted a career best, five top five finishes so far in 2007 aboard the Rick Williams owned #6. Rollag is being chased by former series champion and Calistoga guru Greg DeCaires of Elk Grove.
DeCaires is a previous Calistoga Cup Champion and has turned many laps at the famed big track. Driving for car owner John Taylor, DeCaires currently rounds out the top five, 71-points from the lead. Look for Placerville's Andy Gregg to return to the land of wine and mud baths this weekend for another run. In the previous Calistoga event, Gregg was racing in the top five when a steering issue put him out of contention. The one time Civil War winner this season is just 7-points out of the top five.
The race for the Rookie of the Year title is a hot one in the 2007 Civil War Series. Mason Moore of Princeton,16, and Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, 15, are currently within six points of each other. Last Saturday night these two talented youngsters produced one of the most exciting races of the series so far at Placerville Speedway when they dueled for the lead of the 30-lap feature event. Larson won the race with his life long friend and rival, Moore finishing second ahead of the veteran Colby Wiesz.
Calistoga's own Mike Benson will return to his hometown track this time as a previous winner. After years of trying, Benson finally won at the track where he grew up at back in June during the 2007 Calistoga Cup and will return in defense of that victory carrying the sponsorship of the famed Calistoga Spring Water Company.
The gates to Calistoga Speedway will open at 5 p.m. Saturday night with qualifying starting at 6:30. Adult tickets are $20, children ages 4-12 will be $10. Under for will be admitted for free. For additional information visit www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.
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