From Troy Hennig
CHICO, Cal. (August 24, 2016) – The upcoming 63rd Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico just got a little “wilder.” For the first time in four years, fan favorite Jac Haudenschild of Wooster, OH will compete at the Gold Cup Race of Champions starting with the Civil War Series on Wednesday night September 7 and the World of Outlaws on September 9 and 10. Haudenschild will drive the potent Silva Motorsports, Finely Farms, Abreu Vineyard, Lucas Oil, Probilt Construction and Howard Johnson of Lima, OH #57.
Affectionately called “The Wild Child” because of his willingness to drive a sprint car centimeters away from the point of no return, Haudenschild is a three-time champion of the Gold Cup. His three wins, 1998, 1999 and 2008, place him as the second greatest driver to ever wheel a sprint car at the Gold Cup, trailing only Steve Kinser. Overall Haudenschild has seven career wins at Silver Dollar Speedway. The 58 year-old has amassed more than 300 career feature wins throughout his Hall of Fame career.
Joining “The Wild Child” on Friday and Saturday night is a field littered with former Gold Cup winners. Fargo, ND driver Donny Schatz is the defending champion of the Gold Cup and current World of Outlaw point leader. Schatz was also the 2004 Gold Cup Champion. Brownsville, IN driver Joey Saldana is a two-time Gold Cup winner. His wins in 2007 and 2009 solidify his place in Gold Cup history. Owasso, OK driver Daryn Pittman won the event in 2006.
This year’s race will also feature traveling super star drivers looking for their first Gold Cup win. Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel and Grass Valley’s Brad Sweet are currently sitting second and third in World of Outlaw point standings. Each driver has won seven main events so far in 2016 and only three points separate them in the standings. Bixby, OK driver Shane Stewart pilots the Larson/Marks #2 and has been close on several occasions to winning on the Saturday night finale. Jason Johnson of Eunice, LA is fresh off his Knoxville Nationals win and looks to ride that momentum in Chico. Nashville, TN resident and California native Paul McMahan has struggled this season on the road with the Outlaws. However, McMahan has plenty of experience at Chico. He has 15 career wins at Silver Dollar Speedway and a Gold Cup victory would turn his season around.
Wednesday night, September 7th, the Civil War 360 Winged Sprint Car Series and Hunt Magnetos Wingless Series continue their charge towards crowning a yearlong champion. Reserved seating is $25.00 and general admission is as low as $10.00 a ticket. Thursday night, September 8th, the Amsoil USAC/CRA non wing sprint cars and BCRA/USAC Midget Series will highlight traditional open wheel racing. Reserved seating is $30.00. General admission ticket is just $15.00. On both nights, kids 11 and under are admitted free with paying adult in the general admission seating area.
Friday and Saturday night the greatest show on dirt, the World of Outlaws is set for two great nights of racing. Led by Fargo, ND driver Donny Schatz, Grass Valley’s Brad Sweet and Oklahoma’s Daryn Pittman, the travelling Outlaws are the epitome of 410 winged sprint car racing. Friday night reserved ticket is $45.00 while general admission is $30.00. The Saturday night finale is $55.00 for a reserved ticket and $40.00 for general admission. On each of these nights, kids 11 and under is just $15.00.
Seating charts, Gold Cup activities and general information can be found on line at www.goldcup.silverdollarspeedway.com