Becker wins 2009 Civil War championship

PRESS RELEASE –HOOSIER TIRES CIVIL WAR SPRINT CAR SERIES
FROM THE OFFICE OF HANDY RACING PROMOTIONS INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: BILL SULLIVAN: sullivanimages@sbcglobal.net           
 

 
Becker closes Placerville season with fifth win and Civil War title
 
By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions, Inc.
 
PLACERVILLE, CA – The 2009 Red Hawk Casino racing season officially came to a close Saturday at ASA Sanctioned Placerville Speedway with crowning of a repeat champion in the Hoosier Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series. Oroville native Sean Becker won his fifth feature event of the year and claimed his second straight Civil War Series Championship with car owner Scott Miller.
“This has been an amazing season for this team, it’s just been great,�?? said Becker. “It is such an honor to drive for this team. We communicate so well, we can go out and race hard and no matter how things turn out during the week we can hang out and talk and everyone just gets along so good. They give me a great car, they have great personalities, it’s perfect.�??
Before qualifying even began, Becker claimed his second series championship Saturday night when he officially entered the final event of the 13-race season. The title extends the list of accolades on Becker’s racing resume which includes championships at Silver Dollar Speedway, The Golden State Challenge Series and numerous outlaw kart racing titles.
Becker is one of just three different drivers to claim back to back Civil War championships. Drivers that have accomplished this feat include Glenn Boune, Andy Forsberg and Mike Henry. Two of those drivers gave Becker a run for his money before a near capacity crowd at Placerville Saturday night.
Becker started on the pole of the 30-lap feature event. When the green flag waved, second place starter Kyle Hirst of Loomis shot off the outside of the front row to take the lead with Becker in his wake. Hirst would lead the first ten laps of the event before Becker claimed the lead. Hirst would later retire due to a right rear flat tire on the 25th lap. Hirst attempted to stay out with the failing tire, however on a restart he was passed by several cars and found the GP Development #6 to be out of control.
Through a total of 14 caution periods Saturday night, Becker managed his way to his fifth win of the year. In the final laps of the race Forsberg closed in on Becker for the lead and found himself challenged by Henry who started 10th. On the 29th lap Henry worked his way around Forsberg for second and made a valiant effort to overtake Becker as the two approached the checkered flag.
“He was coming for sure,�?? said Becker. “I was running the high side really well but the track was going away late and I had to be careful. When you run up high like that if your throw it in too hard you can go right over that edge so easily. If we had a few more laps I think he might of caught me down there. It was a close race and it was great for the fans. I love racing with those two guys (Mike Henry and Andy Forsberg).�??
Chico’s Kenny Allen finished fourth in Saturday’s race, Brett Rollag of Rohnert Park finished in fifth place over Placerville’s own Andy Greg. A total of 29 cars entered Saturday’s Civil War Series finale. Many of Saturday’s drivers will now travel to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the annual Fall Nationals.
The Midget Lites of the Bay Cities Racing Association joined the field Saturday night for their final event of the year. Jason Sneep won the feature event for his third win of the year here. Doug Nunes of Kingsbury was the crowned the 2009 Midget Lite Champion by the BCRA. For complete details on this division visit www.bcraracing.com.
Saturday’s event closed a landmark year at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. The final night of competition officially closed the first season which Placerville Speedway was operated by the new management team of Handy Racing Promotions Inc. Despite tough economic times throughout the year for nearly every business in the nature, crowds and entries remained impressive throughout the year. Several improvement were made to safety and amenities at the 44 year old facility and more are to come in 2010.
The entire management team wishes to thank all of the race fans, drivers and sponsors for their support during the 2009 racing season. The 2010 racing season will begin in late March, check the track’s official website for information on the new season at the conclusion of this year at www.placervillespeedway.com.