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CALIFORNIA RACING WEEKEND: July 13/14/15

All American Speedway - Roseville, CA
SRS, Folsom Ready Mix Late Model 50, Street Stocks*, Bombers

Altamont Motorsports Park - Tracy, CA
7/13: Restricted Testing: USAC & CASA Sprint Cars + West Coast Pro Trucks. Testing @$125 per car and team. 12:00 Noon - 8:00 p.m. Free barbeque for teams 5:30-7:00 p.m.
7/14: "The Ultimate Mombo-Combo Night!" USAC-CASA "Best in the West" Series.

American Valley Speedway - Quincy, CA
Modifieds, AVS Stock Cars

Antioch Speedway - Antioch, CA
Dirt Modifieds, Wingless Sprints, Limited Late Models, Super Stocks, Dwarf Cars, Pure Stocks

Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
IMCA Modifieds, East / West Super Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks

Barona Speedway - Ramona, CA
DARK

Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA
DARK

Chowchilla Speedway - Chowchilla, CA
Modified-Street Stock-Hobby Stock-Hornet-- School Bus

Imperial Valley Speedway - El Centro, CA
DARK

Irwindale Speedway - Irwindale, CA
Super Late Model Twins, ACDelco Super Late Models, Vista Paint Super Stocks, Justice Brothers Mini Stocks, BG Products Pure Stocks,

Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
7/13: KINGS FAIR - Tractor Pulls mini and super tractors!!! and ATV DRAGS, with a CHRISTMAS TREE STAGING
7/14: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stocks, Super 4's, Hobby Stocks and Enduro 100 laps
7/15: DARK

Lakeport Speedway - Lakeport, CA
DARK

Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway - Blythe, CA
DARK

Madera Speedway - Madera, CA
DARK

Marysville Raceway Park - Marysville, CA
360 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks

Merced Speedway - Merced, CA
DARK

Ocean Speedway - Watsonville, CA
7/13: Wright One Construction 360 Sprint Cars, Dwarf cars, IMCA Modifieds, Micro 600 & 250
7/14: Open Track to all Cars $30 dollars crew $15

Orange Show Speedway - San Bernardino, CA
7/13: ASA Speed Truck Practice
7/14: ASA Lucas Oil Outlaws Figure 8, ASA BSR West Late Model, ASA Stock Pony, Legends, ASA Speed Truck

Orland Raceway - Orland, CA
Sprint 100's, Mini Trucks, Mini Stocks, Mini Mods, Dirt Stock Cars

Perris Auto Speedway - Perris, CA
7/13: Street Legal Drag Racing
7/14: PASSCAR Late Models, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, & Cruisers

Petaluma Speedway - Petaluma, CA
360 Sprints, Dirt Modifieds, Super Stocks, Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks

Placerville Speedway - Placerville, CA
POINT RACE #12 "MARK FORNI MEMORIAL" 360 SPRINTS, PRO STOCKS, PURE STOCKS, MIDGET LITES

Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
Bandit Sprint Cars- USAC/BCRA Midgets - NMRA TQ - Vintage Midgets

Shasta Raceway Park - Anderson, CA
Westcar Late Stocks, Pro-4 Modifieds, Bombers, and Hornets

Silver Dollar Speedway - Chico, CA
7/13: POINT RACE #16 "GT Trends" 410 SPRINTS, MODIFIEDS,
PURE STOCKS, WINGLESS SPRINTS
7/14: GOLDEN STATE CHALLENGE 410 SPRINTS

Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
DARK

Ukiah Speedway - Ukiah, CA
North State Late Models, Legends Cars of the Pacific, Bandeleros, Bonus Bombers

Ventura Raceway - Ventura, CA
VRA Sprints, Senior Sprints, Dwarf Cars, Mini Dwarf Cars & Junior Midgets

Victorville Auto Raceway - Victorville, CA
IMCA Mods, Super Street, Street Stock, CDCRA Dwarfs, All American, Mini Dwarfs

*Unless Otherwise Noted, Racing is on Saturday, July 14th.
**Schedules Subject To Change.
***Please Support Your Local Race Tracks!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 9, 2007
Contact: DICK JORDAN 07-164

CRA “IDLE” UNTIL AUGUST 4 PERRIS RACE; JONES LANDS 4TH CRA VICTORY OF THE SEASON

The Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series is now on hiatus, allowing its competitors the option to travel to the Midwest to compete in USAC’s Lucas Oil “Indiana Sprint Week” events the next two weeks. The USAC/CRA series resumes August 4 at the Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway.

Tony Jones of Norco, Calif. earned his fourth victory of 2007 Wednesday night at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, leading the final 21 laps of the 40-lap race in his La Villa Catering/Ferreira Dairy DRC/Conn. Cory Kruseman finished second, followed by David Cardey, Rip Williams and Danny Sheridan. Kruseman led the first 19 laps and Jones led the rest.

The victory put Jones in a commanding lead over runner-up Mike Spencer, who trails by 177 points. Rickie Gaunt, who posted Wednesday night’s fastest qualifying time, is third in the new standings.

The race originally scheduled at Hanford, Calif.’s Kings Speedway July 28 has been removed from the schedule. Track and USAC officials are seeking a replacement date for the event and hope to make an announcement regarding a new date soon.

For Immediate Release
From: Ventura Raceway

(Oxnard, CA 7/4/07)Ventura Raceway returns to action Saturday night July 14, at 5:30pm at its Ventura County Fairgrounds Facility with another night of exciting open wheel racing action. That night will also mark the beginning of “Celebration 30” which celebrates 30 years of continuous racing excitement at Ventura Raceway. In recognition of this achievement, Ventura Raceway will offer several specials on the 14th. Specials on the 14th include every 30th person receives a free general admission ticket from 3 to 6pm, 300 Celebration Cupcakes to the first 300 general admission customers and the first 200 pit gate customers. There are also food specials in the concession area. A Tri Tip sandwich and a small drink will be on special for $8.00. A Hamburger or Cheeseburger and a small drink will be available for $6.00. On the racing side, Saturday will feature three adult classes and two junior classes that always provide fans in attendance exciting moments to remember. Headlining Saturday’s racing action will be VRA Sprint Cars, VRA Senior Sprints, VRA Dwarf Cars and our VRA Mini Dwarfs and Junior Midgets.

After being dark for two weekends, VRA Sprints return to action Saturday night with point leader Greg Taylor going for his sixth win of the 2007 season. He held off Dennis Rodriauez in an exciting 30 lap feature on June 16th to take his fifth win of the season. All the top VRA stars will be there to try to slow Taylor’s charge toward the 2007 season championship. Kevin Kierce, Luis Espinoza, Dennis Rodriguez, Rick Hendrix and rookie sensation Johnathan Henry will all be getting back to action this weekend.

VRA Senior Sprints return to action Saturday with point leader Bob Alderman looking for his first win of the season. Steve Stasa, Ron Bach, Wiley Miller, Danny Miller, Bruce Douglass and all the rest of the VRA Senior Stars will be there to challenge him.

VRA Dwarf Car point leaders Jim Scribelitto in Pros and Ed Niedzwiecki in Seniors lead the Dwarf Cars back into actions this weekend. These two drivers have had great season so far in 2007 and will be working hard to stay out front in their respective divisions as the season continues. With over thirty dwarf cars racing in two classes the competition should be fierce.

Also on tap Saturday night will be our VRA Mini Dwarf cars. Point leaders Ricky Lewis in Pistons and Tyler Jerman in Super Chargers will try to stay out front in Mini Dwarf racing action. In Junior Midget action, Amanda Green will be going for three wins in a row, while point leader Jessica Clark tries to hold her off in the point’s race.

Pit Gates open at 12 noon with front gates opening at 3:00 with Junior Class racing at 3:30 and adult racing getting under way at 5:30pm. Admission prices are: $14.00 for adults, $11.00 for Senior/Military and juniors with a school id, $5.00 for children 7-12 with kids 6 and under free. For more information, please call Ventura Raceway at (805) 985-5433 Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY - PERRIS, CA

ART PETERSON BACK ON TOP OF PERRIS LATE MODELS!

(JULY 9, 2007, PERRIS, CA) It took four months, but Cathedral City, California’s Art Peterson is back in his customary spot of leading the point standings in the Art’s Concrete Pumping Extreme Late Models at Perris Auto Speedway. The Late Models will head a four-division show at The PAS this Saturday night, July 14th. Joining the Late Models will be the MC Builders Super Stocks, PASSCAR Street Stocks and the crazy Pick-A-Part Cruisers. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM with racing at 6:30.

Peterson, who won the last Extreme Truck Series title at the track two year ago and the inaugural Late Model title last year, grabbed the point lead with a third place finish the last time the Late Models raced at The PAS on June 16th. On that night, he trailed the father and son combo of Ron and Nick Bartels (El Segundo, California) to the checkered flag. In taking the point lead, Peterson heads a Bartels’ Harley-Davidson freight train in the point standings as Bartels drivers occupy the next four spots in the ranks. Young Nick Bartels, who has led the standings most of the season, is two point behind Peterson heading into this weekend’s dirt track war. Nick’s grandpa and Ron’s father, Bill Bartels (Marina Del Rey, California), is third in the standings only four point behind his grandson. Next in line in fourth and some 46-points behind the leader is Ron Bartels while Torrance, California’s Carla Laney – you guessed it, her main sponsor is Bartels’ Harley Davidson – rounds out the top five. Saturday’s Late Model portion of the show will be capped by a 25-lap main event.

Veteran Ed Perry, of Carpinteria, California, will be out to make it two in a row when the MC Builders Super Stocks return on Saturday night. Perry and teammate Mark Shackelford of Riverside, California, will continue their season long battle for supremacy in the class. Shackelford will again be doing double duty Saturday. He will qualify his ASA Late Model at the Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino before heading to The PAS to race his heat and main event. As soon as the main event ends at The PAS, he will be on his way back to Orange Show for the main event on the paved quarter mile.

Torrance, California’s Kenny “The Main” Mann, Jim Coates of Riverside, California and Moreno Valley, California’s Curtis Dietzsch will return as the top three in the standings when the popular Street Stocks take to the track on Saturday night. The Riverside duo of Tom and Jeff Gillum will still have a commanding advantage in the championship chase when the Pick-A-Part Cruisers take to the famous half-mile clay oval this Saturday.

Families can save on Saturday with the popular PAS Family 4-Pack. Mom, Dad and two kids will get into Saturday’s races for $40.00 and they will also get four hot dogs and four sodas. All they have to do is ask for the Family 4-Pack at the ticket window.

Saturday’s fendered fracas will including qualifying for the Late Models and heat races and main events for all of the classes. It will also include a few pushes, bumps, crashes and bruised feelings along the way.

In addition to Saturday's race on the half-mile clay oval, there will be drag racing on Friday at the popular Street Legal Strip at The PAS where you can race your own car for just $30.00. Gates at the will open at 5:00 PM with racing at 6:00.

Anyone wishing more information can contact Perris Auto Speedway at (951) 940-0134.

Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (home of the Southern California Fair), approximately one hour east of Los Angeles and one hour North of San Diego. To get to the track, take the 215 freeway, exit at the Ramona Expressway and go two miles east to the fairgrounds.

Video and DVD productions for all PASSCAR events are available from Pasadena, California’s RAZ Video. For more information on these shows call Howie Zechner at (626) 449-1175 or send an E-mail to: [email protected].

[email protected] is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment

TIGHT WESTERN SPRINT POINT RACE HEADED FOR ALTAMONT SATURDAY; HUNT TAKES 1ST FEATURE OF 2007

Monday, 09 July 2007 --- Five drivers separated by only 43 points will battle for the Lucas Oil USAC Western Sprint Car Series point lead Saturday at Altamont Raceway Park in Tracy, Calif. in a race co-sanctioned by CASA.

Three-time series champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif. is among those five and ranks second in the new standings after winning Saturday's accident-shortened race at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway. Hunt was leading on the 48th lap when the race was halted after Richard Bailey exited the track in a wild flip in turn one. Bailey was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later released.

Hunt and his Thompson Toyota Baliley/Chevy were trailed by Ryan Kaplan, Tanner Swanson, Greg Anderson and Shauna Hogg. The win left Hunt 28 points behind Kaplan in the new standings. Anderson is 31 back of the leader, while JoJo Helberg is 39 back and Hogg trails the point leader by 43.

Bailey led the opening lap of the Madera race. Johnny Rodriguez led the next eight and Nick Rescino Jr. led eight before Hunt finally took the lead for good on lap 18.

Tanner Swanson, who ranks seventh in the current standings, won the USAC Western Sprint race at Tracy in June.

RODRIGUEZ LEADS MIDGETS TO SANTA MARIA SATURDAY; HISTORIC VICTORY FOR McQUEEN AT MADERA

Monday, 09 July 2007 --- Johnny Rodriguez of Elk Grove, Calif. sits atop the USAC Western Midget standings entering Saturday's program at Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway. He holds a 39-point lead over Scott Pierovich.

Matt Mitchell did not compete in this past Saturday's race at the Madera (Calif.) Speedway but holds down the third spot in the latest standings, 74 back of his teammate Rodriguez.

Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield, Calif. became the first female driver to win a USAC Western Midget feature Saturday night at Madera Speedway. McQueen, recording the 29th USAC feature win by a female in club history, led all 30 laps in her Simpson/Earl's Stealth/Esslinger Ford to beat Michael Faccinto, Johnny Rodriguez, Dallas Melby and Mike Binswanger. Shannon is fourth in the new points going into Saturday's races at Santa Maria.

July Heats up with Two Nights of Racing
by Troy Hennig

CHICO, CA (7-9-07) - As the temperatures rise so does the competition at Silver Dollar Speedway. Two action packed nights of racing commerce at John Padjen's Silver Dollar Speedway this Friday and Saturday night.

On Friday night, July 13, the regular Friday night racing will take place during point race number 16 of the Feather Falls Casino Championship series. The night will feature 410 sprint cars, dirt modifieds, pure stocks and wingless sprints. Our friend Ron Armstrong and his travel company, GT Trends, will sponsor the night and offer the 410-winged sprint cars a $2,000 pay day. GT Trends has been a fixture on the side of Jonathan Allard's car for many years now.

On Saturday night, July 14, it is round number 23 of the Golden State Challenge King of California Series. Local businessman and car owner Garth Moore and his Moore Insurance Services and Financial INC. along with Scrubs Car Wash in Chico will sponsor the event. Moore's son, Mason, is a sixteen year old rookie in both the 410 and 360 sprint car division. He just recorded his best career finish of third place last week at Chico.

Adding to the festivities is Larry Tinker and Fast Trak Wings. The winner of the Golden State Challenge main event will receive an HRP top wing, valued at $620.00. Fast Trak Wings will also add $600 into the purse and throw t-shirts into the grandstands for the fans. Other goodies include a HRP front nose wing to fast time, the B main event winner and second place in the feature. Third place in the main event will receive a HRP engine service tray.

On Friday night the front grandstand gate will open at 6 pm. Adult general admission is $10.00. Juniors and Seniors are $8.00 and children's price is $4.00. The winged 410-sprint cars will qualify at 7:00 pm with racing to follow.

On Saturday night the front grandstand will open at 5 pm. Adult general admission is $16.00. Juniors are $11.00 and children will be $4.00.

Sprint car qualifying is slated to start at 6: 30 pm with racing to follow.

Chico's Stephen Allard leads the winged sprint car charge this weekend at Chico. In 13 starts this year, Allard has finished in the top five ten times. That is tops in the division by three. The next closest are Jonathan Allard and Sean Becker with seven. In the last four races at the speedway Allard has two wins, a second and a third. Stephen trails Jonathan and Becker in wins. Both Jonathan and Becker have four wins to Stephen's three. Becker won the last main event on Friday night. It had been two months since the former champion visited victory lane at the speedway. Placerville driver Andy Gregg continues to climb the charts and now sits in the fourth spot. Gregg has maintained a busy schedule by racing at Chico every point race but the hard work is paying off.

Another driver climbing the ladder is Korey Lovell who is now in the fifth spot. Lovell has survived during his first year as the car owner and driver with ten top 10 finishes in the main event.

Chico's Richard Papenhausen lost a little bit of his lead last week.

Papenhausen suffered a mechanical problem and finished last in the main event. By doing so Darin Ruley gained eight points and is now 80-points behind. Chris Compton sits third followed by Mark Abouzeid and George Magenheimer.

Marysville driver Jeff Olschowka won his first race of the year this past week and continues to lead the point standings. Olschowka battled crowd favorite Heather Bartlett to a close finish. Bartlett is now only two points behind Mike Slightom for second spot. Slightom sits 21-points behind Olschowka.

Rookie driver Brandon Davis scored his second main event win of the year on the previous Friday night. Davis lives in Rohnert Park and travels each race with his father. Davis now leads the series by 14-points over Jay Youngman of Grass Valley. Tracey, CA driver Matt Streeter still sits in third and is 20-points out of the lead. Browns Valley driver Cody Myers is in the fourth spot. Santa Rosa's Sparky Howard is in the fifth spot. Moving up quite a bit was Taylor Simas who jumped three spots and now sits in the sixth position.

Campbell, CA driver Brent Kaeding leads the Golden State Challenge King of California sprint cars into Chico on Saturday night. The 12-time champion is leading Oroville's Sean Becker by 16-points. Kaeding has dominated the wins this year with eight. If he wins one more race this year it will break the record of eight, set by his son, as the most wins in one season. Adding to the allure is Tim Kaeding back in California and winning races. Tim comes into the race having one the last two races at Tulare and Antioch. Defending champion Jonathan Allard sits third having won three races this year and coming off a second place finish at Antioch last Saturday night. Sacramento's Willie Croft has the fourth spot buckled down. Croft has one win and three fast time awards. The tightest point battle involved Brett Miller and Jason Statler. Miller is one point ahead of Statler going into this race.

July 14th Altamont Motorsports Park - Tracy, CA

Open Wheels, Trucks, Modifieds & Mambo!

On Saturday, July 14, open wheel fans can once again witness the Best in the West, as USAC/CASA open wheel Sprint Cars and Ford Focus Midgets return to Altamont Motorsports Park. Competition is heating up for the Sprint Car series lead as USAC reports that only 43 points separate the top 5 drivers leading the series. Ryan Kaplan tops the list, followed by Tony Hunt, Greg Anderson, JoJo Helberg and Shauna Hogg. In the Ford Focus Midgets lineup, Nic Faas leads in points, followed by Tom Dyer, Tim Skoglund, Beau DeBard, and Daniel Adler.

Full-sized, V-8-powered competitive racing machines that replicate Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, or Dodge Ram trucks, the West Coast Pro Trucks are making their inaugural and first of two visits to Altamont Motorsports Park. These two AMP events will be the popular series' only visits to Northern California this season. Truck fans, be sure to catch their action on the Altamont Motorsports Park Fastest Half Mile in the West. Some 27 drivers are in the points standings for this series, with Jeff Williams of Newbury Park in a strong first place coming into Saturday's event.

The program is even further augmented with a 50-lap Grand American Modified Open. Tony Noceti, Jamie Jackson and Todd Lewis are the points leaders in this series.

Marysville Raceway Park - Marysville, CA

This week the Winged Pacific Sprint Cars will be back for a complete program of one of their heart-stopping wheel-to-wheel slugfests. The “Wingless Warriors” Wingless Sprint Car Series is also on the card. The Mighty Mini Stocks will be back with their slam-bang form of all out action. The Nor Cal Dwarf Cars will also stop by for another close, fast display.

Pit gates always open at 3PM. Spectator Gates Open at 5PM with racing getting underway at 7PM. Contact the promoters at 1.530.743.1327 or email as indicated on the home page.

PRESS RELEASE, PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY
INAUGURAL MARK FORNI MEMORIAL RACE MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2007

Community embraces second annual Mark Forni Memorial race at Placerville this Saturday

Area businesses contribute to the highest paying point race for second consecutive year
by Bill Sullivan

PLACERVILLE, CA – The business community of El Dorado County have once again joined together with John Padjen Motorsports to present the richest night of racing at Placerville Speedway this Saturday night with the second annual Mark Forni Memorial event. More than $21,000 will be up for grabs at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds this Saturday during this special event that will pay tribute to the late Mark D. Forni, a community icon and a longtime supporter to the sport of local auto racing

From the day he was born, the El Dorado County Fairgrounds were very much a part of Mark Forni’s life. His family originally donated the land on which the fairgrounds sit. Once the race track was built in 1965, Mark was an avid fan even as a toddler. Later in life he became involved in racing in the form of competition, sponsorship and eventually became a member of the El Dorado County Fair Board and part of a “racetrack committee” that was formed to insure the future of auto racing in El Dorado County.

In November of 2004, Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, also known as cancer of the bone marrow. After undergoing aggressive treatments in the months that followed, Mark made the ultimate decision in July of 2005 to discontinue treatments when his condition worsened and he learned his days were very limited. Later that same month Mark lost his courageous battle with cancer and left a legacy of community giving. With the announcement of the Mark Forni Memorial race, the community has made a bold statement of how much Mark Forni meant to El Dorado County.

With contributions from more than a dozen of area businesses, Saturday’s event will pay more than any championship point race to ever take place at Placerville Speedway and will be the highest paying race of its type throughout California, Nevada and areas of the Pacific Northwest. The event is a class tribute to an individual that spent much of his life supporting Placerville Speedway and the community that surrounds it.

“This is truly an honor to hold this race for Mark Forni,”said Placerville Speedway promoter Alan Padjen. “Mark was a man who did what ever he could to help this sport, promote it and protect it’s future in the community. When Mark passed away two years ago I knew this race had to happen.”

During the off-season following Forni’s passing, Padjen determined an appropriate annual date near the anniversary of Mark’s passing. It was then that the efforts to present the first ever “Mark Forni Memorial” began. With active involvement by the Forni family including Mark’s wife Karen and close family friend, Chuck Sept interest among the business community of El Dorado County began to grow as the race season grew near. It was the dedicated efforts of Sept that acquired over $10,000 in bonus money to be added to the regular championship payout.

With the added contributions, the sprint car feature event for Saturday’s race will pay our more than $18,000 alone. $5,000 will go to the winner of the 30-lap feature, second place will earn $2,000, third place $1,500 and the payout continues in the four-digit format all the way down to seventh place. Just starting the feature event will earn a driver $300 for this one night of racing.

In addition to the feature event funds, the B feature will boast an increased purse as well with more than $2,000 being awarded accordingly to the 20 drivers in the event. The C feature will payout more than $600 down the line. The extra cash doesn’t stop in the feature events, the fast qualifier of the evening will earn an extra $100 courtesy of weekly sponsors Zam Fencing and Direct Traffic Control. DSR Graphics and Signs of Cameron Park will also award a $50 bonus to fifth and 13th in qualifying.

With the added payout, Saturday’s event is expected to draw over 30 of the best 360 sprint car drivers from California. The 360 sprint cars will be joined by the Pure Stock and Pro Stock divisions. Additional bonuses will be announced later in the week for the two weekly divisions that will be racing on this special night as well. The Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association will also be in contention.

The format for Saturday’s race will include qualifying for the sprint cars followed by heat races for all divisions, preliminary feature events and full feature events which will conclude with the sprint car feature worth $5,000 to the winner.

The gates of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday and all seating is general admission. Adults will be $11, juniors and seniors $9, children are $4 and under six will be admitted for free.

Press Release, Golden State Challenge Series
For Immediate Release

Golden State Challenge sprints invade Silver Dollar Speedway this Saturday
By Gary Thomas

Chico, CA - July 11, 2007.... An exciting evening of competition is on tap this Saturday night when the Golden State Challenge 410 winged sprint car series heads to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the first time in two months. The best winged sprint car drivers in the West will invade the Chico bullring for a night of action helped in part by Fast Track Wings. The company will be giving an HRP top wing to the A-main winner, an HRP front nose wing to fast time, the B-main winner and 2nd place in the A-main, an HRP engine service tray to third place in the A-main and adding $600 to the purse on Saturday. All in all, it has the makings to be a really great night of racing.

The two drivers that have dominated the Golden State Challenge Series action over the last couple weeks have been San Jose’s Tim Kaeding and Chico’s Jonathan Allard. Kaeding has won the last two GSC races aboard the Tom Rolfe Trucking No. 10 and Allard has finished runner-up the last two aboard the Williams Motorsports No. 0. Both drivers have been to GSC victory lane three times this season.

Earlier this season Kaeding picked up the Mini Gold Cup win at Silver Dollar Speedway and is also a former track champ at the 1/4 mile bullring. Allard likewise is a former track champ at Silver Dollar and has won five total races at the speedway this season, including opening night of the Mini Gold Cup. These two drivers have been exciting to watch the last couple weekend’s and it should be no different in Chico.

Leading the GSC points coming into Chico is 12-time King of California Brent Kaeding of Campbell. When the series last competed at Silver Dollar Speedway during the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial in May, BK drove his Al’s Roofing Supply No. 69 to victory lane. The veteran also won at the track a few weekend’s back when he made rare Friday night Chico point race start. BK has won eight times with GSC this year and with one more win it would be a record for one season.

Oroville’s Sean Becker sits just 16 points behind BK in the GSC standings now after coming off a strong third place finish in Antioch. Becker has driven the Fisher/Main Motorsports No. 35m to four victories at Silver Dollar Speedway this season, including the most recent race on July 6. Becker will look to chop into B. Kaeding’s lead on Saturday.

Other Golden State Challenge regulars expected in Chico include: Sacramento’s Willie Croft, Chico’s Brett Miller, San Jose’s Jason Statler, Salinas’ Ronnie Day, Sydney Aus’s Trevor Green, Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs, Tracy’s Jason Botsford, Gilroy’s Jon Maiwald, Fresno’s Mark Workentine and more.

Silver Dollar Speedway point leader Stephen Allard of Chico will be another top driver on Saturday. The older Allard has won two of the last three point races at Silver Dollar Speedway and has won a total of three main events so far this year aboard the Johnny’s Lock & Safe No. 1m.

Princeton’s Mason Moore and Orland’s Zach Mason are a couple first year full timers who have been making some noise at Silver Dollar in recent weeks. Moore, who drivers the Moore Financial Services No. 22, is just 16 years old and recently finished third during the 4th of July race. Zach Mason drives the Mason Motorsports No. 2 and has won four of the last five heat races he has competed in at Silver Dollar.

More Silver Dollar Speedway regulars expected include: Yuba City’s Korey Lovell, Chico’s Johnny Gray, Robby Whitchurch & Matt Shelton, Grass Valley’s Robert Stice and others.

The front gate will open at 5 pm on Saturday at Silver Dollar Speedway with Adult tickets costing $16, Junior’s $11 and Kids $4. Qualifying is expected to start at around 6:30 with racing to follow.

The Silver Dollar Speedway is located on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. Camping is available on the grounds for a fee. There will also be racing on Friday night in Chico as the track holds a regular point race featuring 410 winged sprints, wingless spec sprints, dirt modifieds and pure stocks. For more info log onto http://www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com

PRESS RELEASE, PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY
SECOND ANNUAL MARK FORNI MEMORIAL RACE MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2007

Saturday’s Forni Memorial is more than a cash cow for many local drivers

Russell, Sweeney, Humphreys, Trulli and Gregg all had close ties to the late friend of the sport

by Bill Sullivan

PLACERVILLE, CA – This Saturday night, an impressive purse of more than $21,000 will likely draw a great number of competitors to Placerville Speedway for the second annual Mark Forni Memorial race featuring winged 360 Sprint Cars, Pro stocks, Pure Stocks and the Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association.
While many drivers will be logging entries in response to the high payout, a group of local competitors will be racing with heavy hearts and great pride as they pay tribute to the dear friend they lost to cancer two years ago. For these particular drivers, the added winnings are simply the icing on the cake for this special community driven event.

“Mark was one of my best friends,” said Placerville driver Scott Russell. “We did a lot of things together but the one thing Mark loved the most was Placerville Speedway. I can’t even begin to say how much I miss him but I know he’s looking down on us and seeing what this race is becoming and he’s smiling.”

Russell was one of several drivers that was sponsored by Mark Forni and Forni’s Trucking through the years. Placerville’s C.J. Humphreys was one of the first sprint car drivers that Forni sponsored and supported. He was also involved with local drivers Jimmy Trulli, Andy Gregg and James Sweeney since the early days of their racing careers. For all of these drivers a victory in Saturday’s prestigious race would surely top their resume and the limited edition trophy being in their possession would likely supersede the added funds in their bank account from their success.

“Winning this race would mean so much to me and any of us who knew Mark personally,” said Russell, who was unable to race in the feature event last year but still led the field in a special tribute lap prior to the green flag. “But just being part of it and seeing it take place is a very special thing, regardless of where we finish.”

Like Russell, Trulli and Humphreys were also very close to Mark Forni. All three drivers are amidst their best career seasons, sitting within the top five in the point standings in the chase for the track championship.
“I don’t doubt for a minute that Mark doesn’t have a little bit to do with that, its kind of ironic that all of us are doing this well at once,” said Russell. “There have been many race nights at Placerville last year when I felt he was helping in some way, hopefully Saturday night he’ll send some help our way. Regardless of who wins this race, if its one of the cars he sponsored that would make it even more memorable.”

For Sweeney, Saturday will mark the second Mark Forni Memorial of his young racing career. Anyone who knows their local history in El Dorado County is well aware that the names Sweeney and Forni are true patriarchs within the community. Both the Sweeney and Forni families were a vital part of the birth of the El Dorado County Fair.

The 17 year old 2006 co-rookie of the year began racing after Mark Forni’s passing but was a close friend all his life through his father Bob Sweeney who worked with Mark Forni on numerous excavating projects, including helping promoter Alan Padjen with the re-engineering and restoration of the underground drain system at Placerville Speedway that caused numerous cancellations back in 2005.

“I’ll never forget that day that showed us the true Mark Forni and what this place meant to him,” said Padjen. “We had plenty of people to do the heavy work out here. Mark could have taken it easy and just hung around but he insisted on getting involved and getting the job done. I know how tired I was that day. I can’t even imagine how tired he was. He was so thin and so ill at the time but he still could of outlasted the rest of us out there.That’s the Mark Forni I knew and will always remember. He was the guy that always came to this place and said ‘So what’s it going to take to fix this problem’. Not only did he say that, he always followed through.

Since he was a young child, Mark Forni always held a strong interest in racing at Placerville Speedway. As an adult, Forni was always known for lending a helping hand at the speedway, whether is was helping a stock car driver he didn’t even know change a tire during a caution flag or helping the track promoters defeat the damaging acts of mother nature after the off season.

“Mark was person who never hesitated to help anyone in need,” said Humphreys. “Even when he was very ill in his final days he still helped people in any way he could. Being in this race will be very special for us and it’s not really about the money at all.”
Like the others, Gregg will be another one of the local drivers looking to hoist the special Mark Forni Memorial trophy this weekend. Only this time, Gregg can finally show up at the track in the wake of victory. The former rookie of the year scored his first California victory last Saturday night in the Civil War race at Marysville Raceway Park, ending years of frustration trying to win at home rather then the Pacific Northwest where he has prior feature event victories.

During this past season Gregg has nearly won a handful of events at Placerville Speedway. During the season opener here in the Golden State Challenge Series he led every lap of the race but the final one when he saw the California gold wash downstream after Indiana’s Brandon Wimmer took him from the lead position in a last lap crash and dash. This Saturday night, Gregg no longer needs to focus on the bridesmaid blues but can set his sights on carrying his recent good fortune to his hometown track. There is no doubt he has a good friend looking down on him from the best seat in the house and will surely guide him all the way along with the others.

Saturday’s event will payout more than $21,000 in overall winnings. With the added contributions, the feature event for Saturday’s race will pay our more than $18,000 alone. $5,000 will go to the winner of the 30-lap feature, second place will earn $2,000, third place $1,500 and the payout continues in the four-digit format all the way down to seventh place. Just starting the feature event will earn a driver $300 for this one night of racing.

In addition to the feature event funds, the B feature will boast an increased purse as well with more than $2,000 being awarded accordingly to the 20 drivers in the event. The C feature will payout more than $600 down the line. The fast qualifier of the evening will earn an extra $100 and additional qualifying bonuses will be announced later in the week.

The format for Saturday’s race will include qualifying for the sprint cars followed by heat races for all four divisions including Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and the Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association.. All four divisions will compete in preliminary events and full feature events which will conclude with the high paying feature event. Additional bonus awards will later be announced for the weekly stock car divisions as well.

The gates of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday and all seating is general admission. Adults will be $11, juniors and seniors $9, children are $4 and under six will be admitted for free.

SUPER LATE MODEL TWIN RACES HIGHLIGHT TWINS GET IN FREE NIGHT SATURDAY AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY

IRWINDALE, California -- Five races including twin ACDelco Super Late Model races highlight twins-get-in-for-free night this Saturday (July 14) at Irwindale Speedway. Biological twins, pairs of individuals who dress alike or have created a similar cosmetic appearance will be admitted for free when showing up together at the Irwindale Speedway ticket office on the day of the event.

Four racing divisions will be competing with all featuring tight point battles including the Vista Paint Super Stocks, Justice Brothers Mini Stocks and BG Products Pure Stocks.

Rookie Travis Thirkettle’s comfortable lead atop the ACDelco Super Late Model division standings with 436 points has diminished to a mere four-point margin as a result of Rip Michel’s torrid seven race consecutive win streak which began on April 21. Michels of San Fernando has accumulated 432 points and is Irwindale Speedway’s winningest driver with 51 career victories. With the exception of Thirkettle’s 7th place in his last race on June 30, the Newhall resident has been a model of consistency having finished in the top-five in six previous races. The twin 50-lap races with points awarded in each will provide an interesting championship chase scenario for each driver with six races remaining after Saturday night.

The Vista Paint Super Stock division standings are equally close with points leader and defending champion Bryan Harrell of Riverside (344 points) and Darren Cheek of San Bernardino (340 points) waging a close battle separated by only four points. The drivers have flip-flopped finishes in six of the first seven races of the season. Harrell has accumulated four wins and three second place finishes while Cheek has three victories, three second place finishes and one third place finish.

Defending Justice Brothers Mini Stock champion Tyler Rogers of Riverside leads the division points battle with 324 points, thanks to three victories and two runner-up finishes in his first seven races. Kevin Bernhardt of Fontana is within striking distance of Rogers, trailing the leader by 26 points.

While Ron Davis of Norwalk leads the BG Products Pure Stock division standings with 306 points, Jeff Elder of Redlands has pulled within four points of the leader thanks to impressive victories in his last two races.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. for Saturday’s event with the King Taco fan appreciation autograph session with drivers, teams and race cars on the track at 5:45 p.m. The first race starts at 7 p.m.

Irwindale Drag Strip Drag: Round six of the 2007 NHRA Summit E.T. Championship Series is scheduled for this Sunday (July 15) on Irwindale Speedway’s drag strip. Gates open at 8 a.m. Time trials are scheduled for 10 a.m. with eliminations beginning at 1 p.m.

Tickets for all Irwindale Speedway events are available for purchase at the Speedway ticket office, by calling (626) 358-1100 and online at www.irwindalespeedway.com. Auto Club of Southern California members receive a 10% discount off of the purchase of up to four (4) adult general admission tickets for the events when they show their AAA membership card. Auto Club members can also receive discounts on special offers at the concession and souvenir stands.

Irwindale Speedway is located at 500 Speedway Drive off of Live Oak Ave. and the I-605 freeway, between the I-10 and 210 Foothill freeways in Irwindale, California. Log on to www.irwindalespeedway.com for further information.

SPRINTS, MODIFIEDS, MIDGETS AND V8 TRUCKS ON TAP AT ALTAMONT MOTORSPORTS PARK THIS WEEKEND

TRACY, California -- Racing fans will be treated once again to a diverse slate of racing at Altamont Motorsports Park this Saturday as the USAC/CASA Sprints hit the 1/2-mile oval while the Ford Focus Midgets try to tame the 1/4-mile oval. Making their first appearance at the track, the V8-powered West Coast Pro Trucks will try their luck on the "Fastest Half Mile in the West" while the Grand American Modifieds will also take to the half-mile oval in a 50 lap Open Competition event.

Competition is heating up for the USAC/CASA "Best in the West" Sprint Car series as USAC reports that only 43 points separate the top 5 drivers leading the series. Ryan Kaplan tops the list, followed by Tony Hunt, Greg Anderson, JoJo Helberg and Shauna Hogg. In the Ford Focus Midgets lineup, Nic Faas leads in points, followed by Tom Dyer, Tim Skoglund, Beau DeBard, and Daniel Adler.

USAC Sprint driver Tanner Swanson secured his first victory of 2007 at Altamont Motorsports Park's June 16th "Best in the West" USAC/CASA event. Swanson was followed by Tony Hunt and points leader Ryan Kaplan. Tom Dyer took the checkers in the Ford Focus Midget race.

Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif. was declared the winner of last Saturday night's Lucas Oil Western Sprint car feature at the Madera Speedway. The 50-lap race was halted after 47 laps when Richard Bailey flipped and vaulted over the wall in turn one. Bailey was transported to a local hospital and released after treatment.

Hunt and his Thompson Toyota Bailey/Chevy led the final 30 laps after passing Nick Rescino Jr. on lap 18.

In 2006, Altamont Motorsports Park was awarded the Race Organizer of the Year Award by the United States Automobile Club (USAC) racing organization.

With full-sized, V-8-powered competitive racing machines that replicate Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, or Dodge Ram trucks, the West Coast Pro Trucks are making their inaugural and first of two visits to Altamont Motorsports Park. These two AMP events will be the popular series' only visits to Northern California this season.

The West Coast Pro Truck Series races in the southwest portion of the nation including stops in California, Nevada, and Arizona. The southwest region holds most of its events at its home track in California, Irwindale Speedway with additional events scheduled at Havasu Speedway, I-10 Speedway, Tucson Raceway Park and Altamont Motorsports Park.

Some 27 drivers are in the West Coast Pro Truck point standings, with Jeff Williams of Newbury Park in a strong first place coming into Saturday's event.

In addition, the Grand American Modifieds will hit the half-mile for a 50 lap Open Competition event. Grand American Modified car counts have doubled from last year with Tony Noceti, Jamie Jackson and Todd Lewis leading in the 2007 points standings.

Fun for the fans will also include a chance to mambo for tickets to the next Grand National event. It's all part of Altamont Motorsports Park's "Ultimate Mambo-Combo Night!"

Qualifying starts at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday with opening ceremonies scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Ticket pricing is $25 General Admission , $20 for Seniors and $15 for youth.