By Bill Sullivan for Chicko Motorsports, Steve Lamothe photo
PENNGROVE, CA (4-2-11) – Two time Petaluma Speedway champion Alissa Geving of Penngrove, California began her 2011 racing season with a pair of events this past weekend spanning the North State to the scenic Napa Wine Country. With the 360 cubic inch sprint car season still on hold due to the recent rains, Geving took to the track for two different events featuring 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars.
On Friday night, Geving returned to one of her favorite area tracks when she took to the track aboard her Tilllet Tool, Pit Stop USA, Matt Cordiero Enterprises #3x sprint car at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. The event was a last minute decision by the team following the cancellation of the Petaluma Speedway opener that was due to take place the same night.
“We were ready to go for the Petaluma Speedway opener on Friday night,” said Geving. “I was really looking forward to it, but at the same time it was nice to have a chance to go run in Chico, I always like racing up there and it got us ready for Saturday night.”
Following a heat race win and an 11th place run in the caution flag plagued Wells Fargo Friday night championship opener in Chico, Geving then traveled back towards home on Saturday to compete on one of California’s most intimidating tracks with the nations best drivers. The location was the big Calistoga Speedway half mile and the company was the nationally recognized World of Outlaws Sprint Car Tour.
It has been several years since the World of Outlaws tour competed at Calistoga Speedway. For Geving, any opportunity to race on the big half mile that is close to her homeland is welcomed. In the past she has raced in various 360 and 410 events at the facility. Saturday’s appearance by far was one of her most prestigious runs considering the company in which she was competing.
In qualifying, Geving turned an 18:662. In the first heat race of the evening she finished in ninth place and then had a final opportunity to make the A-feature by racing in the B-main midway through the chilly evening in the Napa Valley. In the B main, Geving finished in sixth place to qualify for the 25-lap A-feature.
Taking to the track in the 24th starting position, Geving used a great deal of patience from the waving of the green flag to the checkered flag. The event saw it’s share of caution flags as drivers were adjusting to the newly installed track surface on this season opening event at the Napa County Fairgrounds.
Racing her way into traffic early in the race, Geving had to finesse the throttle on her Chicko Motorsports #3x sprint car. During the race she found her accelerator pedal failing to retract and was forced to slip her foot beneath it to pull it up and decelerate. Despite the challenge at the track that sees insane speeds, Geving faired well when the checkered flag flew, finishing 14th in the company of the nations’ best drivers.
“This was a really good night for us as a team,” said Geving. “Competing with the World of Outlaws is always an honor and a rush, these drivers are the best in the world and I love having the opportunity to run with them. It’s even better when I am able to run well and to top it off, run well so close to home for my fans and sponsors. I really want to thank my whole team for this weekend, they gave me a great car and we’re ready to race at home next week.”
This Saturday night, April 9th Geving returns to her home track of Petaluma Speedway as she will begin her quest in the 2011 Hoosier Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series. In 2008 Geving was the Rookie of the Year in this series. After taking a hiatus from the tour over the past two seasons she has chosen to run the entire season of the 14-race tour as well as race for a possible third championship title at Petaluma Speedway.
“I’m really looking forward to racing back with the Civil War Series this year, I love it,” added Geving. “It’s always special to race at Petaluma Speedway where my Dad and Grandfather had so much success. We’re really looking at a strong year I think. I can’t wait to get it started.”
This season Geving will carry the title sponsorship Tillett Tool of Santa Rosa along with the well known online superstore Pit Stop USA that is based in Petaluma. Napa’s Matt Cordeiro Enterprises will return as a lead sponsor as well as Auto Repairs Unlimited and A1A Performance of Santa Rosa. Associate sponsors include; K&N Filters, The Golden Gate Meat Company, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, R2C, Napa Auto Parts, Flowmaster Mufflers, Allstar Performance, Santa Rosa Auto Parts, Simpson Racing Products, 21st Century Health Club, , Pro Shocks, ALC Machine and JW Web Design.
To learn more about Alissa Geving visit her official website at www.chick-o-motorsports.com. Chicko Motorsports can also be found on facebook. Be sure to join Alissa Geving in the upcoming MS Walk talking place in Santa Rosa on Sunday, April 17th. Further information and the opportunity to make a pledge in her name are available on her website.