By Troy Hennig
ROSEVILLE, CA – (AUGUST 19, 2013)… Honda USAC National Midget Series driver Rico Abreu has traveled all over the Country in 2013. However, he is most excited about returning to his home town roots and defending his midget win from last year’s Louie Vermeil Classic. “This upcoming race weekend means the world to me,” said Abreu. “It’s a good feeling to be coming home and I have a great chance to repeat in front of my hometown family and friends.”
Abreu and his family call Rutherford, CA home. Rutherford is located in Napa County and sits less than 13 miles from Calistoga Speedway. According to its Wikipedia page, in 2010 Rutherford’s population was 164.
With the family’s proximity to the speedway, it was only natural that the Abreu family has been one of the biggest supporters of the Calistoga Speedway over the past few years. “It became my home track just by living so close,” said Abreu. “My family is very supportive with everything the track does. It is really cool what they have done to Calistoga to make it a safer and better racing surface for drivers and fans alike.”
The 6th Annual Louie Vermeil Classis is scheduled to take place August 31st and September 1st at the Napa Valley Fairgrounds in Calistoga. Tickets can be purchased by calling 916-773-7223. Fans are also encouraged to attend the Friday night Calistoga Speedway Hall of Fame induction dinner. Tickets for that event can also be purchased by calling the same number listed above. Front gates will open at 5 pm with racing beginning at 6:30 pm each night.
As a driver this season, the 21-year-old Abreu has been brilliant. He currently sits seventh overall in the Honda USAC National Midget Dirt Series. Abreu has six total wins ranging from two Honda USAC National Midget Series, two King of the West 410 winged sprint cars wins, a POWRi Midget win and a winged 360 sprint car race at Tulare. At one point this year, he also lead the competitive King of the West 410 sprint car series before heading back to the mid-west to race with USAC.
Last year Abreu won the Sunday night main event of the Louie Vermeil Classic. At that time he won a record $7,500. This year both nights of the Louie Vermeil Midget race will pay a staggering $10,000 to win. Abreu also entered the record book by becoming the first known driver to win in both midgets and sprints at Calistoga Speedway.
Abreu will come into Calistoga driving the potent Keith Kunz/Curb Agajanian Abreu Vineyards #67k. Joining him to race at the Louie Vermeil are his National Midget teammates, Christopher Bell, who is currently leading the USAC National Midget Dirt Series and Tanner Thornson, the top ranked rookie in National dirt midget racing for 2013. Abreu and his teammates will be joined by 30-plus USAC Western Midget racers. On Sunday night, Josh Ford Motorsports is bringing in Noblesville, IN driver Bryan Clauson to compete for the midget victory. Clauson sits second in points for the Honda USAC National Midget Dirt Series.
For more information about this upcoming event please visit www.louievermeilclassic.net.