Local racers to raise “Autism Awareness” in a big way this Saturday

placerville speedway

By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Media Relations

PLACERVILLE, CA – The excitement of championship point racing returns to Placerville Speedway this Saturday night with four divisions of auto racing at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. However, this Saturday is about much more than passing cars and racing to the checkered flag. This week, Placerville Speedway and the racing community will come together with the first event “Autism Awareness Day” in El Dorado County.

It all starts as early as 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in Cameron Park as Brian Cannon Motorsports and driver Andy Forsberg will be featured at Food 4 Less in Cameron Park from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Working with Handy Racing Promotions and a number of area sponsors, this local race team will have the #47 Autism Awareness-Coors Light sprint car on display at the local grocery store that is a big supporter of auto racing in El Dorado County.

The event will offer free hot dogs, soda and ice cream floats to those who attend and will gather donations that will benefit two of El Dorado County’s Autism Programs; the Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises Workshop (MORE) and InAlliance. Donations will be accepted at the bbq and raffle tickets will also be sold for three brand new bicycles that will be raffled off during intermission at the speedway later that night. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the Food 4 Less event, visit with Andy Forsberg and bring the kids to get a up close look at the #47 sprint car that carries the Autism Awareness logos on it for the 2010 racing season.

Saturday evening, the fun continues at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds as Placerville Speedway presents “Autism Awareness Night.” The event featured four divisions of racing and some 100 special guests into the grandstands that have been invited by the Autism Awareness campaign. The event will continue to raise awareness for autism throughout the evening and will feature a special presentation in which both local organizations will be presented with the proceeds from the event that took place at Food 4 Less and three bicycles will be raffled off at that time. Additionally, a donation from Placerville Speedway will be presented to the cause on Saturday night.

Entering Saturday’s race, Forsberg is the man of the hour as he leads the sprint car point standings in the 2010 Red Hawk Casino series presented by Hoosier Tires, Coors Light, Pepsi Cola and Riebes Auto Parts. The Sprint Cars will be joined by Late Models, Pure Stocks and Dwarf Cars on the quarter-mile track.

Forsberg will look for his elusive 2010 victory at Placerville Speedway Saturday night before his biggest audience as hundreds of fans will be cheering for his #47 sprint car that supports such a good cause. Forsberg currently sits just 8 points in front of Placerville’s Scott Russell. CJ Humphreys of Placerville is third in standings over Colby Wiesz of Colfax and Shane Golobic of Fremont who rounds out the top five.

In the Late Model division, former track champion Dan Brown Jr. of Nevada City is at the top of standings. Brown has a four point lead over recent winner Matt Davis of Auburn. Jay Norton of Shingle Springs is third in the standings with Les Friend of Galt and Doug Grandbois of Jackson.

In the Pure Stock division, Chris Curtiss of Placerville has moved into the point lead. Curtiss is three points in front of Rick Grunert of Woodland, Dennis Armstrong of El Dorado is third followed by Danielle Clauson of Placerville and Eddie Gardner of Sacramento.

The three weekly divisions will be joined by the colorful coupes of the Nor Cal Dwarf Car Association as they make their third appearance of the year here. The front gates of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. with qualifying starting at 6:30. For further information visit www.placervillespeedway.com. For additional information the Autism Awareness program visit www.autism-society.org.