From Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Media Relations
PLACERVILLE, CA – All three divisions of the 2010 Red Hawk Casino Championship point racing season are set to converge this Saturday night at Placerville Speedway. After three special events in the past month, the quarter-mile clay oval at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds is ready for the weekly multi division program to bring it’s great sportsmanship and excitement to the 45 year old speedway.
With the associate sponsorship of Hoosier Racing Tires West, Riebes Auto Parts, Coors Light and Pepsi Cola, Winged 360 Sprint Cars will lead the roster this week with the likes of the fire breathing Limited Late Models and the always exciting Pure Stock division that began it’s point racing season last week.
In the winged sprint cars, defending four-time champion car owner John Taylor and the Bullet Racing team are set to return in their quest for a record breaking fifth consecutive championship at Placerville. Last year Taylor won his fourth straight title with veteran car owner Colby Wiesz of Colfax behind the wheel.
This year, Taylor will field his competitive #35 with one of California’s young guns in the cockpit, Shane Golobic of Fremont, the 2009 Calistoga Speedway champion with numerous accolades in his young racing career that consists of quarter-midgets, midgets and sprint cars both winged and wingless.
Last year Wiesz and Taylor ended the season with a 16-point advantage over C.J. Humphreys of Placerville. Scott Russell of Placerville finished in third overall over Andy Forsberg of Auburn and Justin Johnson of Shingle Springs all of which are expected to return for a run at the championship once again.
In the Limited Late Model-Pro Stock division, Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City is set to defend his 2009 season title Bartlett was amidst of the most controversial track rivalries in recent history at Placerville Speedway in 2009 as he took on former champion Dan Brown Jr. of Nevada City. The two drivers battled to each checkered flag throughout the year and in comes cases beyond it.
In the end Bartlett edged Brown for his first Placerville Championship, adding to an already decorated racing resume. Bartlett is set to return in 2010 and defend his championship title. Brown is also expected to be a contender and attempt to reclaim his throne.
This year the Late Model division is expected to be even more exciting than before. Not only will fans see the return of the top rivals of 2009, several new faces and returning favorites are expected to take the clay bulling where they will trade paint, rub ties and race door to door to the finish every Saturday night.
Last year Tom Arobogast was one of just three different drivers to visit victory lane other than the dominating Bartlett. This year Arbogast has announced he will return to the division for a fulltime effort. Not only will Arbogast chased the season crown, his company, Dirt Solutions has signed on as a sponsor for the late model division.
In dirt track racing, drivers are always seeking methods to prevent the collection of dirt and mud on their cars during competition. Dirt Solution’s proprietary blend is specially formulated to repel mud from sticking to any surface. The product has been tested throughout many different forms of dirt track racing and has been used on Sprint Cars, Dirt Late Models, Off Road Trucks, Motor Cross, RC Cars and event at the Bonneville Salt Flats. For further information on the product visit their website at www.dirtsolution.com.
In the Pure Stock division, one point race has been completed already and that event showed a strong field of contenders for 2010. For the first time in her 10-year racing career, Danielle Clauson of Placerville returns to the track as a previous feature winner.
Last Saturday night Clauson brought the Placerville spectators to their feet as she muscled her way from 10th place into the lead to earn the first win of her racing career. Clauson’s longtime friend and mentor Dennis Armstrong finished in second place in the opening affair. Armstrong leads the point standings one race into the season while Clauson is second in the overall standings.
Saturday night Clauson is expected to be joined by even more drivers than last week. 2010 Championship bridesmaid Heather Bartlett is expected to return along with current third place point runner Keith Fournier of Placerville, Robert Alford of Stockton and Michele McMclure of Nevada City.
Saturday night Placerville Speedway pays tribute to longtime friend of the speedway by naming the event “Doug Veerkamp General Engineering Night.” One of El Dorado Counties leading general engineering contractors, Doug Veerkamp has been a dedicated partner with Placerville Speedway for many years and his dedication and willingness to contribute his time, dedication and equipment is much appreciated.
In addition to the title sponsorship of Red Hawk Casino, Placerville Speedway’s weekly championship series once again welcome’s a number of community businesses in 2010. Contingency sponsors for the year to come include Carls’ Jr. the victory lane sponsor at Placerville Speedway along with McDonald’s who sponsors the weekly hardcharger in each division. Food 4 Less is one of the tracks leading community contributors in driver and fan product awards along with Dirt Solutions who will sponsor the Limited Late Model Division in the year to come.
The front gates will open at Placerville Speedway at 5 p.m. on Saturday night. For additional information on the event and the season to come visit the track’s official website at www.placervillespeedway.com. Placerville Speedway can also be found by using twitter where race fans can get updates of upcoming events send directing to their pc or cell phone by signing up at www.twitter.com/pvllspeedway.