Kids Night produces repeat winners

 
PRESS RELEASE, PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY
HANDY RACING PROMOTIONS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: bsullivan@placervillespeedway.com
 
 
 
Forsberg, Bartlett and Tilford all post repeat wins on “Kids Night�?? at Placerville
 
Next: Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Finale August 22
 
Official Press Release from Handy Racing Promotions Inc.
 
PLACERVILLE (8-15-09) –  It was a night of repeats at ASA Sanctioned Placerville Speedway Saturday night. A streamlined program that allowed for the annual Kids Night festivities presented in part by Strauss Food Service and Golden Spoke Bike Shop brought three very familiar faces to victory lane.
            In the Sprint Car feature event, Andy Forsberg of Auburn drove to his fifth Red Hawk Casino Championship win of the season. Division point leaders Tom Tilford of Citrus Heights and Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City continued their winning ways in the stock car classes. Tilford posted his seventh win of the year in the Pure Stock class while Bartlett did the same in the Limited Late model feature.
            In the sprint car feature event, Forsberg started fifth in the line up while pole sitter CJ Humphreys of Placerville charged into the early lead. With four laps complete, Kyle Hirst of Loomis powered from his fourth place starting position past second place starter Jimmy Trulli of Placerville and then Humphreys for the lead exiting the fourth turn.
            Once in front, Hirst drove his way to a healthy lead aboard the Rich Rosser #23 car for the night. Forsberg moved into second place on the 11th lap and rapidly closed in on Hirst in lapped traffic. The two arch rivals began a dogfight for the lead entering the final laps of the race. However, during a yellow flag with a mere three laps to go, Hirst lost air pressure in his right rear tire and was forced to pit for repairs. Forsberg assumed the lead where he was challenged in the final laps by Trulli, McDonald’s Hard Charger Greg DeCaires of Elk Grove, Humphreys and Mike Henry of Sacramento.
            “We were just about to have a really good race there to the finish, Kyle and I always do that,�?? said Hirst. “That was a tough deal, that team just can’t seem to catch a break here. We’ve had an up and down season and lately I’ve learned sometimes its better to be a little more lucky than good. Calistoga last week, here tonight.�??
            Standing in victory lane Forsberg was greeted by long time wrench Brian Cannon. Cannon was on the phone with the team’s owner, Keith Arellano, who informed Forsberg that a new 410 motor would be aquired this week so he can compete in next Saturday’s much anticipated Golden State Challenge Series race here.
            “We had no 410 motors, we blew them all up so I figured I wasn’t going to have another shot at winning a GSC race at this place,�?? said Forsberg. “Well, it looks like we will be here next Saturday to close the series and try to finally win one of those darn races here at home. We can’t wait.�??
            In the Pure Stock division, Tilford continued his recent win streak Saturday night. It was his seventh victory of the season and his 29th career win. His is confirmed this winningest Pure Stock driver at Placerville Speedway, surpassing Marek Bernert’s previous total of 22 wins. Bernert now supports Tilford with assistance in the pit area as well as sponsorship through NorCal Fleet Care.
            “It’s funny,�?? said Tilford in Carl’s Junior victory lane.  “I use to boo him back then. Now I couldn’t be doing this without him. There are a lot of people that work hard to keep me out here every week. Last week we bent a leaf spring, I had to work a lot and all of a sudden there were all sorts of people at the shop to help get the car ready. I’m ready to come back here these next two nights and win a second championship.�??
            Tilford started the event in the fourth position and took the lead from Kris Wirth of Pollock Pines on the seventh lap. Once in front he was soon joined by Heather Bartlett of Chico. Bartlett is Tilford rival in the run for the 2009 Red Hawk Casino Championship. Bartlett closed in on Tilford on several occasions. It was apparent that the sight of Bartlett’s bright pink front fender motivated Tilford to drive even faster as he continually powered ahead all the way to the checkered flag where he was followed by Bartlett, Wirth, Eddie Gardner of Sacramento and John Durrett of Pollock Pines who was the McDonald’s HardCharger of the race, gaining eight positions.
            In the Limited Late Model feature event, Jay Norton of Shingle Springs charged into the lead on the opening lap and battled with point leader Jerry Bartlett. With six laps complete Bartlett powered his way beneath Norton entering the third turn and completed the pass as they traveled through turn four. 
            Once in front Bartlett was challenged by Norton until the 11th lap with his season rival Dan Brown Jr. of Nevada City moved into second place. Brown started fifth and earned the hardcharger award with his forward drive. Brown closed in on Bartlett on several occasions as the two raced hard much like they did earlier in the heat race.
            At the finish line, Bartlett picked up his seventh win over Brown, Norton, Mike McPherson and Mike Lightfoot of Placerville.
            “I had a good race out here tonight,�?? said Bartlett. “It wasn’t too fun up in the pits though as that controversy decided to follow me again. It wasn’t at the scales this time but apparently the only way I’m beating certain people is by cheating. Funny thing is if they wanted to tear down my car and check it they would find out they were wrong and they just don’t like being beat. We’ll be back here for the next two weeks and take this championship. It’s time to turn things up a notch and get the job done.�??
            Next Saturday night the three regular divisions will take a break to allow for a high profile event at Placerville Speedway with the grand finale of the 2009 Golden State Challenge Series Championship season for the 410 sprint cars. This event will officially crown the series champion of California’s premier series for 410 sprint cars. It’s the first time in decades that Placerville Speedway will host the highly anticipated event. The Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars will be in competition as well. Further information can be found at www.placervillespeedway.com.
 
            
            
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