Hirst looks for success at car owners’ home track

By Gary Thomas

Sacramento’s Kyle Hirst will bring the Fresno, California based Roth Enterprises No. 83jr into the Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway sitting second in the King of the West 410 standings. The one-third mile clay oval is a home track for car owner’s Dennis & Teresa Roth and the 25-year-old Hirst will look to give them a win this weekend in their backyard.

Last Friday night in Fernley the second generation driver appeared to be on way to his second victory of the year, until Rico Abreu made a final corner charge to steal that opportunity away. Hirst last October scored his first ever Thunderbowl victory when he charged from 17th starting during the 50-lap “Trophy Cup” finale. Last season he brought home a pair of fifth place finishes at the “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial Weekend” in Tulare.

“That win at the Trophy Cup last year was pretty special when considering how far back we started,” said Hirst, who finished third in the overall Trophy Cup standings last season behind only Jason Meyers and Shane Stewart. “Dennis & Teresa Roth have given me the opportunity of lifetime this year and I really hope I can bring them home a win in Tulare this weekend. There should be a great field of cars so it will be fun.”

As a team Roth Motorsports captured the “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial” in 2011 with San Jose’s Tim Kaeding behind the wheel. Kaeding won the main event that night over Tommy Tarlton, Kyle Larson, Jason Statler and Roger Crockett.

This Saturday & Sunday May 25 & 26 the front grandstand gate at the Tulare Thunderbowl will open at 4pm during the “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial Weekend.” Hot laps are scheduled for 6pm, with qualifying at 6:30pm and racing anticipated to start around 7pm. Also on hand during the Memorial Day Weekend extravaganza will be the Vintage Hardtops to give a glimpse of the days gone by.

The double-header event will pay tribute to brothers Chris & Brian Faria, who both lost their lives far too soon.

Chris Faria was an up and coming driver who was the youngest of five children to Danny Sr. & Arlet Faria. He grew up on their farm in Tipton and was known as the prankster of the family. Chris unfortunately lost his life at the age of 21 during a farming accident and his memory has been kept alive with a memorial race at the Thunderbowl Raceway ever since.

Brian was the oldest of the five Faria children and was taken from us in January of 2006 during an accident while driving on a highway. Brian enjoyed helping out with the track preparation at the Thunderbowl Raceway, as he drove the water truck and the grader among other things. The “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial” has become a cornerstone of the track schedule and is always a special night for the Faria family.
Advance tickets for the weekend are on sale and be acquired by contacting the track ticket office at (559) 688-0909. Reserved grandstand seats cost just $20 with general admission bleacher tickets $18. For a seating chart visit the track website at http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com/

The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is a one-third mile clay oval with the all-time track record being 12.651, which was set by two-time Golden State/ King of the West 410 champion Tim Kaeding of San Jose on March 5, 2010.

The track has gained a reputation of providing some of the most spectacular and memorable moments in all of California Sprint Car Racing and also hosts the prestigious “Trophy Cup” each October. The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series will return to Tulare later this year on Saturday September 21 for the “John Anthony Sharp Memorial.”

On Saturday night immediately following the races and once the front stretch interviews are completed there will be a free concert in the grandstands featuring Nashville recording artist Jon Webber. The beer booth will remain open after the races and soft drinks will also be available. Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant will also be in the grandstands selling tacos and burritos during the concert, so we invite everyone to stay after the races, hang out and listen to some great music to commemorate Memorial Day Weekend.

The Tulare County Fairgrounds also features a great campground so we invite everyone to come on down, camp out and make a weekend out of it. Memorial Day Weekend is always a traditional time to camp out and it’s always a fun time at the Tulare County Fairgrounds.

Another group will also be sharing the fairgrounds so RV Spots will fill rapidly. To make sure you get the best spot available be sure and contact the Tulare County Fairgrounds Office at 559-686-4707.