From Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA — (October 12, 2015) — Excitement & buzz is in the air as the biggest week in California Winged Sprint Car racing has arrived, which means only one thing. It’s Trophy Cup time at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway.
Last season Dave Pusateri & the Trophy Cup team remarkably went over the $1,000,000 mark for donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This weekend that total will grow even more when the 22nd installment of the show takes place.
All of the special events on the fairgrounds that benefit Make-A-Wish are returning once again, including the Thursday Chili Dog Night sponsored by Taco Bravo, the Taco Bravo Fiesta Night on Friday & 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 Saturday morning breakfast sponsored by the Tulare County Fairgrounds is also going to occur at 7am. A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during the special events is appreciated! All of these parties/events are not only fun for everyone, but they are put on to help out a great cause! Everybody is encouraged to stop by and enjoy! Live music as always will entertain the crowd.
Past Trophy Cup champions entered for this weekend include reigning winner Willie Croft of Sacramento, Campbell’s Brent Kaeding, San Jose’s Tim Kaeding, Wooster, Ohio’s Jac Haudenschild, Clovis’ Jason Meyers, Chico’s Jonathan Allard, Easton’s Tommy Tarlton & Fresno’s Craig Stidham. Brent Kaeding’s four wins is tops among all drivers.
Driver’s looking to take home the Trophy Cup for the first time will include Rico Abreu, Kyle Hirst, Terry McCarl, Tyler Walker, Bud Kaeding, Bryan Clauson, Sheldon Haudenschild, Justin Sanders, Carson Macedo, Roger Crockett, Andy Forsberg, Dusty Zomer, Dominic Scelzi, Shane Golobic, DJ Netto, Sean Becker and many many more. The entry list is scattered with talent from all around, in what has turned into a true “All Star Showcase” for the west coast.
Adding to the excitement once again this season is the fact that the Trophy Cup 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.
Tickets continue to be on sale for the 22nd annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup, with all seating in the house reserved. 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 each day. The ticket booth will open at noon on Thursday & Friday, while Saturday it opens at 10am.
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.
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.