From Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Media Relations
PETALUMA, CA – Prior to the 2010 Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Season, Auburn’s Andy Forsberg announced he would return to the series fulltime in 2010 to contest for the championship title after a season of racing part time in multiple venues.
Saturday night the four-time series champion made the first step towards that goal, driving the BC Racing owned Autism Awareness-Coors Light #47 Sprint Car to victory in the second round of the series at took place at California’s fastest 3/8 mile dirt oval, Petaluma Speedway on the Sonoma-Marin County Fairgrounds.
“We finally got our first Civil War win of the year in this car,” said Forsberg, who took the checkered flag after lap 25 of the feature event that was originally scheduled for 30 circuits but shortened due to concerns of exceeding the state mandated curfew. “Shortening the race by five laps didn’t hurt my feelings at all. If I had been running second at the time then I probably would feel differently.”
Forsberg qualified seventh in Saturday’s event with a 13:125 second lap on the tacky 47 year old track nestled in heart of the Sonoma Wine Country. After finishing fourth in his heat race the inversion put the driver known as Mr. Excitement on the inside of the second row for the feature event behind pole sitter Jake Haulot and second place starter Billy Aton.
With the waving of the green flag Aton muscled his #26 sprint car into the lead and quickly felt the pressure of Forsberg who worked his way into the bridesmaid position to begin challenging the leader. Although Aton had a healthy lead in the early running, Forsberg rapidly closed the gap and attacked his prey when it became vulnerable.
Forsberg maintained a high line around the Petaluma oval to gain momentum on Aton and on the sixth lap when Aton made the slightest of errors Forsberg took advantage of it and shot around Aton who slowed slightly when he slipped out of the rhythm that was near flawless for the opening five laps.
“I knew he was fast, especially when he got out in front so early,” said Forsberg, now a 12 time winner in the Civil War Series over his career. “He got out of shape just that one time and that was all I needed to catch him. After that I knew as long as we stayed out of lapped traffic we would be ok.”
For Forsberg, the caution flag became a friend rather then a foe as it did to so many drivers Saturday night, causing lengthy delays and forcing the eventually reduction of laps in the event. Each time Forsberg’s #47 approached the likes of lapped traffic a caution flag either yellow or red when clear his view for a restart.
The most serious of incidents included damaging rollovers by rookie driver Cody Lamar and Jason Sanders. Neither driver was injured in the two separate incidents. Former champion Mike Henry had a scary moment during the event as well when a power steering line broke on his Rudy Warrington #18 car, spewing hot fluid all over his legs. Henry was able to make repairs and return to the field without serious injury.
At the checkered flag Forsberg was trailed by Aton, Mason Moore drive from sixth into third place ahead of Haulot. Ricky Wright drove from 18th into fifth place over Bradley Terrell who started 15th. Defending champion Sean Becker drove from 13th to seventh ahead of Devin Ostheimer, Herman Klein and Henry who recovered to round out the top ten.
In preliminary competition Saturday night the Semi Main event was won by Kurt Nelson who transferred into the feature along with Klein, Geoff Ensign, Cameron Mendes, Sanders and Brandon Davis.
Heat race victories were claimed by Jimmy Trulli, Terrell, Ostheimer and Lamar. The fast qualifier for the night was Henry who closed a 13:655 second lap to time in ahead of Brad Furr, Moore, Klein and Steven Tiner.
Following the second round of the Civil War Series Saturday night, Klein continues to the rule the point standings with a four point advantage over Becker who gained two positions in the ranks. Forsberg advanced ten positions in the standings, moving to the third position, just six digits out of the lead while Furr fell to fourth place and Trulli rounds out the top five.
The Civil War Series will return to action on Saturday, May 1 when it returns to Placerville Speedway for the third leg of the series. For further information on that event visit www.placervillespeedway.com or www.civilwarsprints.com.
HOOSIER TIRES CIVIL WAR POINT STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 2
Herman Klein 144
Sean Becker 140
Andy Forsberg 138
Brad Furr 137
Jimmy Trulli 136
Mason Moore 131
Steven Tiner 130
Mike Henry 128
Willie Croft 128
Camron Mendes 120