by Troy Hennig
CHICO, CA – August 2, 2011…One of the most decorated race car drivers in the history of the Silver Dollar Speedway will be recognized this Friday night, August 5th, as USAC plays host to the Wayne Sue Classic at Chico. Wayne Sue is affectionately referred to as one of the top drivers to burn laps at the speedway. Sue, who has 49 career main event wins at Silver Dollar Speedway, won numerous championships and became a local legend. This Friday night, the speedway will pay tribute to this iconic driver at his home track. This Friday night is a tribute to old-school non-wing traditional sprint car and midget racing at Chico.
The USAC Western Classic Racing Series and the USAC/BCRA Midgets will kick off a big double header race weekend at Silver Dollar Speedway on August 5th. The following night, the series will travel to Alan Handy’s Placerville Speedway and recognize local legend Mike McCreary. This is a great weekend for both tracks to showcase the USAC Western Classic Racing Series and the mighty midgets.
At Silver Dollar Speedway, the popular Mini Stocks will also be on hand. The Mini Stocks will compete in their third and final appearance of the year at Chico. The previous two nights of racing have averaged 18 Mini Stocks. Misty Castleberry is the most recent winner at Chico. She is the former Marysville Raceway Park Champion and has attracted quite the local following.
The top USAC Western Classic Racing Series drivers will get to showcase their collective talents on the quarter-mile clay oval in Chico. Scott Pierovich and Tony Hunt lead the championship point standings as the two champions will battle it out during the double-header dirt weekend. Veterans Jerry Kobza, Shanua Hogg and Tim Barber are all geared for their shot at dirt track glory. Locally, mashers like Andy Forsberg and Scott Hall will vie for the lion’s share of the purse during the 30-lap main event.
Chico’s Dillon Silverman will lead an all-star cast of midget drivers this Friday at the speedway. Silverman gained notoriety by winning at Chico last year in the midget series hosted by Rick Young. Silverman is a young, talented Chico driver with a bright racing future ahead of him. Nick Foster Jr. in the current point leader of the BCRA and this championship driver will be one to keep an eye on this Friday night. Floyd Alvis, the living legend of BCRA will continue his prowess along with David Prickett and Nick Chivello. Both USAC Western State Midget and BCRA stars will be on hand to give the fans the best of both worlds.
Front grandstand gate will open at 6pm. Racing is scheduled to start at 7pm. General adult admission into the grandstands is $15.00, while juniors and seniors are $12.00 and children $6.00. All three series will run a complete program including heat races and main events. For more information please call the track office at (530)-350-7275 or by calling the Director of USAC Western Operations, Tommy Hunt, at (916)-864-8722.