Placerville, CA – May 15, 2018…The Placerville Speedway is ready to put a cap on the month of May by hosting the biggest showcase of the season for the Ltd. Late Model and Pure Stock classes this Saturday with the running of the annual Tilford Tribute.
The event this Saturday honors the late Donnie Tilford, one the most beloved stock car drivers in the history of Placerville Speedway. During his final years Tilford mentored, sponsored and wrenched for various drivers well past his retirement from driving in 1991. A former Placerville Super Stock champion, Tilford succumbed to heart complications, and passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 58 on March 18, 2014.
The Ltd. Late Models will be racing for $750-to-win this weekend! Thanks to an anonymous sponsor the Pure Stocks will be vying for $650-to-win, $350 for second and $250 for third! The IMCA Sport Mods will be competing for $400-to-win thanks to extra money from Performance Muffler and Brake!
“This weekend’s event will be a perfect way to honor one of Placerville Speedway’s greatest legends, Donnie Tilford,” said track promoter Scott Russell. “We look forward to finishing off the month of May on Saturday by showcasing our Ltd. Late Model and Pure Stock divisions, along with Sport Mods, Mini Trucks and Vintage Hard Tops. We hope everyone can make it out for what should be great night of racing.”
Live Oak’s Matt Michelli has started off 2018 in strong fashion once again and sits atop the Ltd. Late Model standings heading into the Tilford Tribute. The defending Ltd. Late Model champion is fresh off a victory on May 5 and ran second at the season-opener on April 21. Former track champ Eddie Gardner has also had a solid start to the campaign and has himself locked into the second spot, one-point ahead of Matt Davis. The top-five is currently rounded out by Jay Norton and Tyler Lightfoot.
Completing the top-10 in Ltd. Late Model points are Kiely Ricardo, Mike Lightfoot, Chris Annas, Terry Kuntz and Ray Trimble.
Defending Pure Stock champion Jason Palmer has also begun the season like a blazing inferno, capturing the first three main events contested. He goes into the Tilford Tribute holding a five-point advantage over runner up Scott Grunert. Past track champion Nick Baldwin locks down the third position, with Rick Grunert and Orville Owens sitting fourth and fifth. Rounding out the top-10 are Russ Murphy, Chris Van Roekel, Jesse Van Roekel, Kevin Jinkersen and Lonnie Lennard.
The IMCA Sport Mods make their first appearance of the season on Saturday, while the Mini Trucks hit the speedway for the second time. Derek Boarman picked off the opener on April 28 over Kelly Campanile, Megan Curtis, Aaron Rupley and Tom Stanwood.
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-6-the-tilford-tribute-tickets-placerville-M46FW5
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, Capital Ace Hardware, Carol Russell Bookkeeping Service, 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, The Critter Getter, Mountain Democrat, Union Mortgage and Windfall Media.
Join over 10,000 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 May 19: Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods, Mini Trucks, Vintage Hardtops | Tilford Tribute Envision Night presented by Thompson’s Buick/ GMC Dealership Saturday June 2: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks, Midget Lites | Dads & Grads Night Saturday June 9: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Pure Stocks, Mini Trucks, Dwarf Cars | Thompson’s Fan Appreciation Night and Pit Party