PETERSEN MEDIA
The late Mark Forni was both a supporter of both Andy Gregg, and Scott Russell, so with his memorial race on the horizon, it was an easy decision for Russell to keep Andy Gregg in his car for the night, and it proved to be a smart one, as the duo picked up the win.
“Mark Forni was a great guy and helped both myself and Andy Gregg a ton, and it made sense for us to stayed teamed up and try to become the first local team to win his race, and we did,” Russell said.
Looking to become the first local to win the race since it’s inception just eight years ago, Gregg was fast all night, and started the winning off early as he pocketed a heat race win, and transferred to the feature event.
Scheduled to start seventh in the feature event, cautions on the first two attempts at getting the race underway moved Gregg up into the fourth spot for the third and final attempt, as he snagged the third spot, until the caution waived with just one lap complete.
Sitting in the third spot on the lap 1 restart, Gregg chased after Carson Macedo for a pair of circuits, before taking the second spot on the sixth lap, and setting his sights on leader, Colby Wiesz.
The next six laps saw Gregg and Wiesz put on a great show as they battled for the top-spot, with Gregg getting around Wiesz on the 13th lap.
With the increased purse, and cancelled KWS race, Gregg had his hands full the rest of the night as good friend, Willie Croft, began battling him for the lead on lap 17.
Gregg proved to be too good on this night, and held Croft at bay, and went on to pick up his sixth win of the season, tying a career high, and pocketing undoubtedly his hometown tracks biggest race of the year.
“This is just awesome to finally win this race, I can’t thank my sponsors and team enough for all their continued support and the Forni family for continuing to put this event on each year,” said an emotional Gregg to announcer Bradley Kennedy. “This isn’t about the big money here tonight, it’s not about the money. This is about great people who believe in me and these people have believed in me for so long. I could care less how much this pays, this is for them and Mark tonight.”
Andy would like to thank Coors Light, LivFast Clothing Co., GUTS Racing, Meyers and Son Drywall, Ervin Sales Group, K&N Products, FK Rod Ends, Eagle Motorsports, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, Hinchman, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, and 103.5 The Blaze for their support in 2013.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS: Races-33, Wins-6, Top 5’s-17, Top 10’s-21
ON TAP: Gregg will be back in action Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway before heading back to the Placerville Speedway on Saturday night.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay up to speed with Andy by following him on twitter @andygregg16x.