By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – September 30, 2015…The biggest event of the season at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is almost here, with the much anticipated 22nd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup ready to commence on October 15, 16 & 17.
The Trophy Cup has catapulted itself into being the premier Winged Sprint Car showcase on the west coast and the 2015 version is sure to be another epic weekend of racing & fun. With its unique format the event regularly produces some of the best racing seen all season. Each time a driver hits the raceway for competitive racing there are points on the line, with it all being a lead-up to the 50-lap feature on Saturday night, which is completely inverted based on points accumulated up to that part of the event.
The Trophy Cup originally started out at the San Jose Speedway in 1994 and was held at the track until its closing in 1999. It then moved to the Ocean Speedway in Watsonville for one year, before heading to the Kings Speedway in Hanford from 2001-2004. In 2005 the Trophy Cup was moved to Thunderbowl Raceway and it has been held at the one-third mile oval ever since.
Adding to the lure once again this season is that fact that it will feature Winged 360 Sprint Cars all three-nights to make it an all out battle for the Cup. All cars that start the Saturday A-main are guaranteed $2,000 in total winnings, with the overall champion guaranteed $20,000 in winnings.
Reigning Trophy Cup champion Willie Croft returns to the Rudeen Racing No. 26 this year and looks to defend his win from a season ago. The Sacramento driver last year captured the final night’s main event and earned enough points to claim the title for the first time in his career. Other past champions entered include Campbell’s Brent Kaeding, San Jose’s Tim Kaeding, Clovis’ Jason Meyers, Chico’s Jonathan Allard and Fresno’s Craig Stidham.
In total 100 entries is the limit for this year’s event, which has turned into a type of “All Star” showcase in California, with champions & winners from all over the state on hand. One of the heavy favorites will certainly be Rutherford’s Rico Abreu, who scored a World of Outlaws win earlier this year at the Thunderbowl. The 23-year-old has had another fantastic season that also includes a victory at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, a K&N Pro-Series East triumph, his second straight Louie Vermeil Classic and more.
Tickets are on sale for the Trophy Cup with all seating in the house reserved during the weekend. Grandstand tickets cost $40 on Thursday & Friday and $45 on Saturday. Bleacher tickets are $35 on Thursday & Friday and $40 on Saturday. Kids 6-12 are half price and 5 & under are free. A seating chart is available at www.thunderbowlraceway.com and tickets can be acquired by calling 559-688-0909. The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 15, with the drivers meeting at 3:30pm sharp.
All of the special events are returning to the Trophy Cup once again, including the Thursday Chili Dog Night sponsored by Taco Bravo, the Taco Bravo Fiesta Night on Friday and the Saturday afternoon spaghetti feed sponsored by La Villa Delicatessen. The post race parties run from 11pm to 1am, while the spaghetti feed goes from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.
A new Friday morning breakfast sponsored by the Tulare County Fairgrounds is also going to occur from approximately 8am to 10am on October 16. A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during all the special events is appreciated! Last season Dave Pusateri & the Trophy Cup team went over the $1,000,000 mark for donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation over the last 21-years. Fans & teams are encouraged to attend all the special events. More info on the Trophy Cup, as well as an entry list can be found at www.trophycup.org
“It’s been great to see how much the Trophy Cup has grown each season,” said Thunderbowl Raceway promoter Steve Faria. “These extra events have definitely turned the race into a happening and one that fans have on their calendar every year. I know we are looking forward to it and hope
everyone else is too. Each season the Trophy Cup seems to get bigger and having three nights of Winged Sprint Cars once again makes it pretty exciting for everyone involved. Dave Pusateri and his team do an outstanding job with everything. We’re honored to host the Trophy Cup for the 11th straight year.”
Prior to the Trophy Cup, Thunderbowl Raceway hosts the KRC Safety Fall Shootout on Saturday October 10, which features the final appearance of the season by the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & the USAC West Coast Wingless 360 Sprints. It is the final chance for drivers to hit the track before the Trophy Cup and creates a big two-week run of horsepower & motorsports in Tulare. Tickets are also on sale for the KRC Safety Fall Shootout at 559-688-0909.
Keep in mind the new pit area policy. Starting immediately children UNDER 14 years of age will not be allowed in the pit area during the races. Those that are under 16 will be required to provide proof of age, which means a copy of your birth certificate, id or a notarized document. A copy is also required to be left with the pit booth staff. There is no copy machine in the booth so it’s required to bring a copy with you to leave with staff. Consent forms will be available in the booth.
The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds.