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Placerville, CA – After losing the previously scheduled point opener to wet weather a couple weeks back the Placerville Speedway is now getting set for an attempt to open the Red Hawk Casino championship season this Saturday night April 7.
The evening is also billed as “First Responders Night” with $10 tickets available to first responders who show ID at the speedway box office on Saturday. Divisions set to tackle the red clay on will include the Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Pure Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods and Mini Trucks.
“We hope all the fans and teams are ready to open the championship season on Saturday,” commented third-year promoter Scott Russell. “We are coming off a solid year at the track and have worked hard in the off-season to make sure 2018 is even better. Introducing these special themed nights throughout the year is something we’re excited about and are interested in seeing how they work. We encourage all the first responders to come out for $10 tickets this Saturday night.”
Visalia’s Steven Tiner captured last season’s Thompson’s Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Car title at Placerville Speedway and is back to defend it in 2018. Tiner claimed a trio of victories last year and will look to park it in victory lane come Saturday. “I can’t thank my whole team enough for all the support they gave me last season to get that championship under my belt,” he said. “We’ll be looking to start off the point season on a good note this Saturday.”
Five-time track champion Andy Forsberg also returns this season looking to add a sixth while driving for Friends and Family Racing. The Auburn driver last won the title in 2013 driving the familiar X1 machine. Multi-time main event winners last season Sean Becker of Roseville and Justyn Cox of Clarksburg will also be favorites to bring home the championship. Last year Becker won three-times at the quarter-mile, while Cox won twice in the Winged 360, including the prestigious Mark Forni Classic.
More drivers hoping to find glory at the championship opener will be last season’s third place finisher in the standings Jimmy Trulli, along with Mike Benson, Justin Johnson, Tony Gualda, Jodie Robinson, DJ Freitas, Shane Hopkins, Greg Decaires Jr., Mike Cook, Chris Masters and others.
Jason Palmer will get his driving title defense underway in the Pure Stock division this Saturday. Last year the Sacramento driver scooped up four main event wins, which was tied for the most with Orville Owens, who also put together a breakout season in 2017. At season’s end Scott Grunert ended up being crowned as the Pure Stock owner champion.
More possibilities for Saturday will include former track champion Nick Baldwin, three-time winner last season Dan Jinkersen, Rick Grunert, Chris and Jesse Van Roekel, Mike Stoeckel, Travis Emery, John Ewing and others.
The IMCA Sport Mods have become more and more popular throughout Northern California and Saturday’s event marks the first of three appearances this season at Placerville Speedway. The Mini Trucks also return for their second consecutive season at the bullring. Last year Ted Ahart led the way with three individual triumphs.
Adult tickets this Saturday will cost $15, while seniors 62 plus, military and juniors 12-17 will be $13, children 6-11 are $6, five and under are free! Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking https://www.universe.com/events/2018-placerville-speedway-championship-points-race-2-tickets-placerville-PZN3HV
The pit gate will open at 2pm, with the front grandstand gate opening at 3pm. A happy hour will be offered from 4pm-6pm in the grandstands featuring discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer stand. Drivers meeting will be held at 4:30pm, with cars on track for wheel packing at 5pm, ADCO Driveline and Custom Exhaust qualifying scheduled to begin around 5:30pm and heat races expected to fire-off around 6:30pm.
The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California. Take Hwy US-50 to Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto http://www.placervillespeedway.com
The Placerville Speedway would like to thank all of its partners for their support this season including Red Hawk Casino, Hoosier Racing Tires, Coors Light, Thompson’s Auto Group, Absolute Auto Glass, ADCO Driveline and Custom Exhaust, Bear Republic Brewing, Beef’N’Brew, Chris Kenner Racing Specialties/ Security Race Products, Campora Propane, Davies Family Inn, High Sierra Industries, Poor Reds BBQ, Les Schwab Tires, the Paint Spot, Riebies Auto Parts, Shadow Ridge Ranch, Mountain Democrat, Union Mortgage and Windfall Media.
Since opening in 1965 the Placerville Speedway has been a favorite among fans throughout Northern California. Well known for its steep banks, distinctive red clay, loyal fan base and extremely close action, the track is located just 40-minutes up the hill from the capital city of Sacramento.
Join over 9900 followers of Placerville Speedway on Facebook, where you can keep abreast of updates for the 2018 season. You can also find Placerville Speedway on Twitter by following us https://twitter.com/pvillespeedway - In addition, Placerville Speedway is also on Instagram. Please follow us @PvilleSpeedway.
The Placerville Speedway is operated by Russell Motorsports Incorporated, which can be reached at the track business office by calling 530-344-7592. Contact Kami Arnold or Scott Russell directly for 2018 sponsorship opportunities at the office. Upcoming events at Placerville Speedway:
Saturday April 7: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Pure Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods, Mini Trucks | First Responders Night Saturday April 21: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks, Midget Lites, Vintage Hardtops | 15th Annual Tribute to Al Hinds Saturday April 28: C&H Veteran Ent. presents Hunt Magnetos Wingless Tour, Pure Stocks, Mini Trucks, Dwarf Cars | Special Olympics- Denali Night presented by Thompson’s Buick/ GMC Dealership
Photos courtesy of Cleveland Digital Imaging and Jason Tucker Photos