By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – October 14, 2024…Eagerness is floating through the air as one of the biggest weeks in California Sprint Car racing has arrived, which means only one thing, it’s time for Trophy Cup 30 at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare.
The Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing is not just known for featuring some of the best racing seen all year, but it’s also well regarded for being held to benefit one of the truly great organizations around, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
With the Trophy Cup’s donation last year, it brought the total amount of contributions to a remarkable $2,910,000 since the event was created back in 1994. The 30th running will amazingly go over the $3,000,000 mark when the check is presented on Saturday.
This weekend marks the 19th occasion that Trophy Cup will be held at Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare. The overall champion takes home $30,000 from the point fund, along with their earnings from all three nights. The Winged 360 Sprint Car extravaganza on October 17th, 18th and 19th features a record $300,000 overall purse.
Defending Trophy Cup champion Corey Day has made waves across the country this year with several major wins, including the Gold Cup Race of Champions and the Super Dirt Cup. The 18-year-old now returns home looking to go back-to-back at the Trophy Cup this weekend.
Other former Trophy Cup champs set to compete this weekend include three-time winners Shane Golobic from Fremont and Tim Kaeding of San Jose; along with single-time victors Bud Kaeding from Campbell, Jonathan Allard of Chico and Willie Croft from Colfax.
“It’s been great to see the fan and team support continue to be outstanding at the Trophy Cup year after year,” said Thunderbowl Raceway Promoter Steve Faria. “The extra functions on the fairgrounds continue to create a happening at the event and one that people mark down on their calendar every season. I know we are looking forward to it and hope everyone else is too. Dave Pusateri and his entire team do an excellent job with everything. I know we’re honored to host the Trophy Cup for the 19th straight year.”
Tickets and Details:
Adult grandstand tickets for the 30th Trophy Cup cost $55 on Thursday and Friday and $60 on Saturday. Bleacher tickets are $50 on Thursday and Friday and $55 on Saturday. Kids pricing and senior pricing is also available.
Tickets can be purchased starting at approximately 10-10:30am on Thursday behind the stands at the box office. It will then open at 1pm on both Friday and Saturday. The event has never sold out and plenty of tickets will be available.
The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 17th, with the drivers meeting around 3:20pm. Wheel packing, hot laps, qualifying and heat races will follow.
For the second straight year, on Wednesday October 16th (day before the race) Thunderbowl GM Josh Miller will be around the campground if you’d like to obtain your Will Call Tickets, or if you need to purchase additional tickets. By handing out will call tickets on Wednesday, this will help alleviate the line at the box office on race day.
Following the races on Thursday will be Taco Night presented by Steve Faria, owner of 9 Iron Bar & Grill and The Tulare Golf Course. Friday will feature the popular BBQ Night presented by High Five Pizza and Catering.
On Saturday afternoon from 11am-2pm Steve Faria, owner of 9 Iron Bar & Grill and the Tulare Golf Course will present the annual Spaghetti Feed. The post-race parties start 20 minutes after the checkered flag with beer, water and soft drinks available for purchase inside.
A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during all these events is appreciated. Fans and teams are all encouraged to attend the special eating events. More info on the Trophy Cup, as well as an entry list can be found at www.trophycup.org
Special thanks to Promoter Steve Faria with System 1 and System 1 Pro Ignition, General Manager Josh Miller, along with all our partners for making things happen at Thunderbowl Raceway including Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC, Budweiser, Roth Motorsports, KRC Safety, General Manager Craig Borba at Garton Tractor, Double “D” Towing and JD Heiskel & Company.
For more info on the Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway-392991907541396/?fref=ts
The Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street Tulare, California 93274. 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. Camping is available for fans off turns three and four.