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John Padjen Motorsports
Silver Dollar Speedway – Chico, CA
Contact: Troy Hennig
For Immediate Release
Shane Scott Returns to Silver Dollar Speedway on Opening Night
Chico, CA 3-23-08...This weekend Chico's Shane Scott, seven-time track champion and elected into the Chico Sports Hall of Fame, will once again sit in the cockpit of an open wheel sprint car and compete for the first time in six years. Scott is racing for one night only to recognize what he calls his best friend Bill Brownell's legacy at Silver Dollar Speedway. Brownell, a local icon in Chico since the 1940's, passed away last year. To honor this great racing ambassador, John Padjen Motorsports will host Bill Brownell night this Friday, March 28. The winner of the sprint car 410 main event will receive the first ever Bill Brownell perpetual trophy and a big payday of $3,000. “Brownell was my best pal,” said Scott. “He did so much for this area. I can't think of a better way to pay tribute to him than get back in a car and race.”
This past weekend Scott practiced in a second car owned by Garth Moore. “I finally agreed to do it after those guys bugged me so much,” Scott said joking. The car will have the #33 on it in tribute to Brownell. “That was always Bill's number when he raced,” said Scott. Brownell was a championship motorcycle racer and was widely recognized as one of the Nation's best riders. In the mid 1940's he moved to Chico and brought the first Indian Triumph dealership to town. In the 1960's he opened the first Honda Motorcycle dealership in Chico. He was one of the first investors of Cycleland Speedway when it was a motorcycle track. In fact, Scott grew up racing at the track in the motorcycle division. Now the speedway is known as a go-kart haven that produces so many young drivers for the Silver Dollar Speedway.
This Friday night will be sponsored by Aquarian Leasing, Withrow's Motorsports, JP's Paint and Auto Body, Chico Mobile AC and Radiator and Care Free Custom Graphics. Adding extra winners money will be John and Robbie Padjen. “Brownell was always the first one to be waiting for me when I got back into town,” said John Padjen. “He wanted to know all the scoops and was always helping to fix the four-wheelers or just helping in general. I sure do miss him.”
Expected drivers to compete for the big money include Jonathan and Stephen Allard of Chico. Other local favorites include Brett Miller, Mason Moore and Sean Becker. Outsiders looking to steal the local thunder include Auburn's Andy Forsberg, Loomis driver Kyle Hirst and Grass Valley hot shoe Brad Sweet. Los Angeles driver Tyler Walker is also scheduled to race along with San Jose masher Tim Kaeding.
The wingless sprints and dirt modified's will also kick off their point season on Friday. Chico's Mark Abouzeid had a dream weekend during the past Silver Cup by winning both Friday and Saturday night main events in the modified division. He was challenged all weekend long but no one was ever able to pass the Chico Volkswagen owner. “I had a blast at Silver Cup and am looking forward to continuing our winning ways,” said Abouzeid. Trying to knock him off the top will be Chico's Richard Papenhausen and Darin Ruley.
Grass Valley veteran wingless driver Billy Wallace won the Silver Cup Saturday night main event. It was his six win at Chico as a driver in the wingless division. Other vying for the top spot will be Orland's Taylor Simas, Chico's Jimmy Pettit and Biggs brother's RC and Cody Smith.
A full field of championship cars are expected for the first annual Bill Brownell night at Silver Dollar Speedway. Front grandstand gate will open at 6 pm with racing to follow at 7 pm. Adult admission is $11.00, juniors and seniors are $9.00 and children are $5.00.
For more information please contact the office at 916-969-7484 or through the Internet at www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com
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