Chico Gold Cup Tickets Available

Top Story Silver Dollar Speedway

From Troy Hennig

CHICO, Cal. (August 31, 2016) — For the price less than a movie ticket auto racing fans can witness some of the best drivers in the world during the 63rd Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. This year’s Gold Cup format features a diverse lineup of winged and non-wing sprints and midgets along with tradition racing modifieds. The four day event brings fans a wide spectrum of grass roots dirt track racing.

The pricing is what has most fans excited. On September 7th, Wednesday night, and September 8th, Thursday night, all kids 11 and under are free in the general admission section. Adult prices in the same area are also ridiculously low. Adult general admission on Wednesday night is just $10 in the general admission bleacher sitting while Thursday is just $15.00.

The stars and cars of the Civil War Series highlight the Wednesday night kick off to the Gold Cup. Andy Forsberg of Auburn, CA, the eight-time Civil War champion and current point leader, leads the charge into Chico. Forsberg is challenged by Princeton, CA native Mason Moore. Moore is fresh off his first track championship title at Placerville Speedway and looks to gain more valuable points at the Gold Cup. Challenging them both will be home track hero and now a six time Silver Dollar Speedway track champion Sean Becker of Roseville, CA. Becker is the defending winner of the Wednesday night Civil War race at Gold Cup.

It will be great to have current NASCAR Truck driver and multiple times Silver Dollar Speedway winner Rico Abreu of Rutherford, CA back in action. Abreu continues to climb the motorsports ladder but is still tied firmly in with his dirt track roots. Locally, Chico’s Michael Ing, who is currently third in Civil War points, and Paradise, CA King of the West current point leader Kyle Hirst, are drivers with serious chances to win the feature event. Other top ranked drivers attending Wednesday night are Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH, Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA and Justin Sanders of Watsonville, CA.

Thursday night will feature the traditional non-wing sprints and midgets. The USAC/CRA sprint cars and USAC/BCRA Midgets will co-headline the event. The 2015 USAC National Sprint Car driving champion Robert Ballou makes his return appearance at Chico. The last event Ballou raced in at Chico was 2008. Ballou is originally from Rocklin, CA but now calls Indiana his home where he continues to pursue his racing dreams. Joining Ballou in the sprint car ranks is current USAC National Sprint Car leader Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, OK. Another rising star is Cullman, AL driver Kevin Thomas Jr. who will make his second career start at Chico.

The California stars are led by Concord, CA driver Damion Gardner, who as of last week became the 9th different winner in 9 main events during the 2016 USAC/CRA sprint car series. Temecula’s Mike Spencer, Anaheim’s Jake Swanson and Visalia’s Richard Vander Weerd are three drivers at the top of the point’s standings.

Hollister, CA racing superstar Ryan Bernal is one the many drivers who will compete in both divisions on this night. Las year, Bernal won both the sprint car and midget main events becoming the first driver in the history of the Thursday night race to do so. Corona’s Ronnie Gardner is the current point leader of the USAC Western States midgets and has won four of the six races this season. Hanford’s Michael Faccinto is second in points and picked up a win at Bakersfield in June. Redding’s Alex Schutte won the most recent event held at Petaluma Speedway in July.

On Friday and Saturday night the speedway will host the World of Outlaws and Northern Sport Mods. Kids 11 and under is just $15.00 each night in the general admission seating. Friday night adult pricing is $30.00 in the general admission while the Saturday night finale is $40.00.

For ticket and camping inquiries please call 530-350-7275 or visit our website at http://www.gold.silverdollarspeedway.com/