Sunday's Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Race will be the first ever "Walt Ross Memorial" at the Calistoga Speedway. Walt will be one of a few legends on the cover of the new race program, plus Kerry & Sheila Ross Fasig are scheduled to have the famous # 56 sprinter at the track. Walt was not only a long time car owner, but also a former President of the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC). His many successful drivers included Rick Horton, Rendy Boldrini, Bryan Bullard, Lem Tolliver and of coarse the famous "GP" Gary Patterson. Patterson held the Calistoga track record for many years in the #56 Walt Ross sprinter that had a leaf spring front end.
This weekend's sprint heat races will pay $100 to win, thanks to the efforts of a few local folks who have been trying to help promote the track. You should notice signs as you enter town and there has been a banner hung over main street Calistoga for the past two weeks.
The weather should be beautiful in the Napa Valley, so come out and enjoy the races and honor a man who definitely left his mark on sprint car racing.
Whoever designed the old logo for "Calistoga" is a genius. The design by far represents the famous track, city, fairgrounds and of course sprint car racing. It's a classic.
"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza" -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS
I'm glad the decision was made to memorize Walt Ross this weekend. When last years events weren't held it was too bad that the Salute to Walt Ross had to go away, but nice to see it come back. From reading old stories and programs Walt was a very important figure in Northern California and definitley needs his memory kept alive.
