The anticipation from racers and fans alike is ramping up with the 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions presented by Riebes Auto Parts right around the corner - scheduled for Wednesday-Saturday, September 6-9.
Tickets are available at www.silverdollarspeedway.com/goldcuptickets.
Into year two with SLC Promotions (Kyle Larson, Brad Sweet, Colby Copeland), the hard-working staff at Silver Dollar Speedway is continuing to revitalize and revamp the Gold Cup with visions of a return to national prominence ahead.
At one week away, the event has already attracted 60+ pre-entries for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series - which will once again feature split-field preliminary programs on Thursday and Friday, ahead of Saturday's $25,000-to-win finale.
It all starts on Wednesday, September 6, however, with the local 360 stars of the Sprint Car Challenge Tour facing homegrown heroes Kyle Larson and Rico Abreu for a special $6,900-to-win purse.
The off-track activity is always a highlight at Gold Cup, and this year is no different. The fun begins with the NOS Energy Drink Kickoff Party following Wednesday’s race featuring Rick Monroe and the Hitmen. On Thursday, the Las Vegas themed Black Light Party consumes the campground once racing concludes.
Friday’s fun-filled agenda includes the iconic Miss Gold Cup Bikini Contest (paying $5,069-to-win), the world-famous Chili Feed, and an energetic Tim Dugger concert going until 1:30am – all occurring inside the Silver Dollar Pavilion.
On Saturday, prior to the 40-lap, $25,000-to-win finale of the Gold Cup Race of Champions, a Fan Appreciation BBQ (free food) and Cornhole Tournament ($2,000-to-win) takes place at the Pavilion starting at noon.
Next week marks the one and only chance fans in Northern California will have to watch NASCAR Champion and Knoxville Nationals winner, Elk Grove’s own Kyle Larson – a two-time Gold Cup victor (2011-12) – compete at Silver Dollar Speedway, as he races on Wednesday and Thursday.
Saint Helena’s Rico Abreu will return to race at Silver Dollar Speedway for the first time in four years next week. Already a 10-time winner in 2023, the fan favorite hopes to add a third Gold Cup Race of Champions title to what has already been a career-year.
Along with Larson and Abreu, three more former Gold Cup champions are entered – Logan Schuchart (2021), Donny Schatz (2015 & 2004), and Jonathan Allard (2014).
Brad Sweet, a native of Grass Valley, currently leads the World of Outlaws point standings in pursuit of his fifth consecutive championship in the Kasey Kahne Racing #49. “The Big Cat” has twice won a Gold Cup prelim, however, he still chases his first title in the Race of Champions finale.
“The Greatest Show on Dirt” is also bringing superstars like Carson Macedo, David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi, James McFadden, Spencer Bayston, and more to face California’s local racers.
19 California Sprint Car winners this year are entered with hopes of defending home turf against the Outlaws. Included on that list is Corey Day, Shane Golobic, Dominic Scelzi, Colby Copeland, Chase Johnson, Justyn Cox, Landon Brooks, Kaleb Montgomery, Mitchell Faccinto, Joey Ancona, Justin Sanders, Tanner Carrick, Andy Forsberg, Kalib Henry, Ryan Bernal, Gauge Garcia, DJ Netto, Cole Macedo, and Dawson Hammes.
Gold Cup ticket pricing is as follows – Reserved Seating, Wed. $30, Thurs $45, Friday $50, and Saturday $55. Pit passes can be purchased at the track on each race day. The Gold Cup ticket office will be open 10am-4pm daily starting Monday Sept 4th. All reserved and general admission tickets will also be available at the front gate each night beginning at 5 PM.
All tickets purchased on-line will be sent to the e-mail address provided when tickets are purchased. Tickets can also be scanned from your smart phone at the entrance of each night’s race. No tickets will be mailed out. Once tickets are purchased no refunds are given.
Gold Cup camping will open on Sunday, September 3rd, at 9 AM. Campers will enter through the front entrance of the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds and sign in at our designated camping information booth right off the main parking lot. Starting at 9 AM on that Sunday, staff will park campers in their reserved spots and will be there throughout the day, closing at 4 PM and returning each morning of that week to open back up.
Fans without camping reservations are encouraged to also come up on Sunday September 3rd because there are limited spots, not reserved, with hook ups that are available on a first come, first serve basis. There is also plenty of dry camping available at the fairgrounds and is also first come, first serve.
For fans unable to attend, Wednesday’s SCCT race will be broadcasted on FloRacing.com with Thursday-Saturday’s World of Outlaws events streaming on DIRTVision.com.
Each day during Gold Cup, the pit gates are scheduled to open at 2pm with the grandstands opening at 5pm and Hot Laps hitting the track at 6:15pm.
- administrator on Aug 31, 2023
- Article Date: 8/31/2023