By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Media Relations
PLACERVILLE, CA – At some point during our lives most of us have heard the phrase “you create your own destiny.” Saturday night at Placerville Speedway Arboga resident Jeremy Phillips proved obvious truth to such theories during the third round of the Hoosier Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series at Placerville Speedway.
After finishing second in his heat race earlier in the evening, Phillips became the tenth fastest qualifier to make it into the 30-lap A-feature and had the honor of drawing the numbered pill that determines the inversion for the race worth $2000 to the winner. As he reached into the velvet bag on the front stretch before a capacity crowd at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds Phillips was praying for the ten pill to fall into his grasp, and it did.
“It doesn’t seem like this happens all that often with the pill draw, ” said Phillips, who suffered a damaging rollover into a swampy mud pit one week earlier at Placerville. “I’m definitely sitting in a better position here tonight than I was last week. Starting on the pole is great but I still have work to do this is a tough place to win at and a tough series to win in.”
The crowd at Placerville Speedway on Saturday night displayed an energy like no other night in the 2010 racing season, the electricity in the stands was likely just as powerful as that powering the lights shining down on one of the most exciting Saturday night entertainment venues on the western slope. For Phillips, the night couldn’t have been more perfect. He ran he best ever race before one of the best audience in the sport.
Pulling ahead at the waving of the green flag, Phillips took command of the lead at the waving of the green flag and never once gave up the top position numerous challenges by some of the best drivers in this action packed series for 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars. In the early running Chad Compton of Fair Oaks was Phillips’ biggest threats.
With the fans on the edge of their seats, Phillips and Compton dueled for the top position in a classic battle that would ultimately bring a brand new face to victory lane in this premier race series. Phillips and Compton raced side by side on several occasions. Compton slipped beneath Phillips to steal the lead momentarily only to have Phillips answer back aboard his own #28p sprinter that underwent a great deal of rebuilding over the past week.
Closing in behind the dogfight of Phillips and Compton was a trio of talent that have recorded their share of accolades in the Civil War Series already. Among the top five runners were two time champion Mike Henry of Sacramento along with four time champing Andy Forsberg of Auburn who had charged up from ninth place, Mason Moore of Princeton, a former rookie of the year who drives for the former championship FnF Racing Team and series point leader and previous Placerville winner Herman Klein of Sacramento. Needless to say, this feature event was a barn burner at Old Hangtown.
On the 22nd lap, Compton’s strong effort came to an abrupt end when he pitched his 69c car below Phillips in the first and second turn, slid sideways into a spin and rolled over on his side to draw one of the many caution flags that took place Saturday night. Other caution flag recipients included Kenny Allen of Chico, James Sweeney and Shane Golobic of Fremont, to name a few, all of which suffered rollovers during the night.
Once the event was restarted Phillips still hand his hands full as Henry, Forsberg and Moore were all right within inches of his rear bumper for the ensuing green flag. Phillips lived up to the task and muscled ahead of Henry and Forsberg by a couple of car lengths. The two former champions didn’t seem to have anymore to offer in the way of catching Phillips but ran their own electrifying race for second place with Moore in their wake, making it a three way party for the bridesmaid position.
When the checkered flag waved Phillips crossed the line for his first ever win in the Civil War race series. Henry held off Forsberg for second place while Moore finished in fourth place ahead of Klein. Steven Tiner, Stephen Allard, Nicole Miller, Bradley Terrell and Scott Russell rounded out the top ten at the finish line.
“The caution flags were killing me out there,” added Phillips. “This is just a great way to come back after last week. The car was perfect tonight. I knew those guys were coming behind me and I just kept my line right where it was the whole time. I just want to thank everyone who helps me and supports me to do this and the fans for coming out tonight. I couldn’t be happier.”
With his second place finish, Henry likely improved on his eighth place position in the point standings as he is in pursuit of a third Civil War title in 2010. Henry was the first driver to shake Phillips’ hand in victory lane Saturday night.
“My hat goes off tonight to Jeremy, he drove one heck of a race and I just didn’t have anything more to give him out here tonight,” said Henry. “Later in the race I think I became more of a hazard than competitor to Andy (Forsberg) and I really want to thank him for racing me clean. I made a few mistakes racing with him and he could have very well taken me out.”
Forsberg’s podium finish from his ninth place starting position was likely very beneficial in the way of championship points as well. Forsberg is looking for his fifth Civil War title in 2010.
“We can’t complain finishing third after we started ninth,” said Forsberg. “Mike and I were both racing hard and just couldn’t seem to close the gap. My congratulations to Jeremy tonight, he drove an awesome race. We’ll see everyone back here next week.”
The B feature was won on Saturday by Kenny Allen. Heat races were claimed by Andy Gregg, Trent Canales, Justyn Cox and Colby Wiesz. Moore was the fastest qualifier for the night with a 10:420.
Racing returns this Saturday night to Placerville Speedway with the Red Hawk Casino, Hoosier Tires, Pepsi Cola Riebes Auto Parts championship series. Sprint Car, Late Models and Pure Stocks will share the track with the Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association.
For more information visit the track’s official website at www.placervillespeedway.com. In the coming week. 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.