By Troy Hennig
CHICO, CALIFORNIA (April 30, 2013) – Silver Dollar Speedway is excited to host the biggest racing weekend of the year this Friday May 3rd and Saturday May 4th. Wells Fargo Point racing will take place on Friday featuring five divisions and extra bonus money on the line for the 410 winged sprint cars. Then on Saturday night, the best 410 winged sprint car drivers in California will converge for one time only as we host the 23rd annual Dave Bradway Jr. memorial featuring the King of the West sprint cars. This year’s Bradway will boast the most money ever offered at this prestigious event. For all of the financial incentives and free stuff for the fans please visit and like either Golden State King of the West Facebook page or Silver Dollar Speedways page.
Pit gate will open at 4 pm on Friday night and 3 pm on Saturday. Front grandstand gate will open at 6 pm on Friday. General adult admission is $13.00, seniors and juniors $11.00. Children ages 6 to 11 are $6.00. Kids five and under are free. On Saturday night the front ticket gate will open at 5 pm with adult general admission $20.00, juniors $15.00 and children $6.00 with five and under free. On Saturday at 5 pm the King of the West will host an autograph session featuring Jonathan Allard, Kyle and Rick Hirst. Joining the fun will be Dominic and Gary Scelzi. Gary is the four-time NHRA Drag Racing champion. His son Dominic is one of the most talented sprint car drivers in the world. This Thursday, Dominic turns 16 years old.
Friday nights racing is presented by Fry’s Metal and AKB. Fry’s Metal has been a longtime partner of the Silver Dollar Speedway on the night before the Bradway Memorial. The AKB is a great group of people who assist people in need, here, there and everywhere. Website information is available at www.AKbuilders.org. Their 4th annual benefit golf tournament will take place May 20th at Canyon Oaks Country Club.
On Saturday night, the first 150 kids through the front gate will receive a free hot dog and soda!
Other divisions on hand for Friday night will include the dirt modifieds, street stocks, Perma-Zyme Wingless Sprint Series and vintage hardtops. Saturday night the Dwarf cars will accompany the King of the West sprint cars.
We are pleased to announce the first appearance of 15 year old, soon to be 16, Dominic Scelzi of Fresno on Friday night at the Speedway. “It’s been a dream of mine to race a 410 sprint car at Chico,” said Scelzi. “I have turned a lot of laps in the 2002 Ratbag World of Outlaw Playstation 2 game so hopefully that will help,” Scelzi joked. His father, Gary, will also be in attendance.
On Friday night Sean Becker will lead an all-star cast of drivers in the 410 winged sprint cars. Auburn’s Andy Forsberg will look to end up back in victory lane while Willie Croft is hopeful to start a new winning streak. Local’s Mason Moore and Brad Bumgarner are on the verge of winning. Top rookie contender Keith Bloom continues to allow the memory of Tyler Wolf to live on. Other rookie contender Michael Tarter is coming off his best career race while Clint Wilson is continuing to gain valuable seat time. Both Bud Walberg and Jason York look to bounce back after tough weekends. Kenny Allen, John Michael Bunch and Kevin Sharrah are all expected to give the out-of-town drivers a run for their money.
Marysville’s Ryan McDaniel leads the charge of dirt modifieds into Friday’s race. McDaniel is doing double duty this year. He also races in the limited late models. Chico’s Mark Abouzeid and Richard Papenhausen look to get back into victory lane. Jeff Olschowka, Oreste Gonella and Duane Cleveland are drivers that can win on any night.
Rowdy McClenon and Ron Laplant are tied for the Perma-Zyme Wingless Sprint championship heading into Friday night’s race. Each driver has won a main event this season. If either falters, Chico’s Taylor Nelson is right there for the striking. Corning’s Nathan Johnson was an added bonus last week driving the #e85.
Can Jake Vantol make it three for three this Friday night? The defending champion has been unbeatable in championship main event racing this year. Mike Slightom and Richard Workman continue to be his nearest challengers in the point’s battle. Mark and Gary Newman have been impressive in their two starts.
The Vintage Hard Tops will make their first appearance of the year at Chico.
For an update on the championship points battle please visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com. Camping is available for the weekend’s races. For more information please call the track office at 530-350-7275.