Press Release from Placerville Speedway
PLACERVILLE, CA (8-17-13) – It was back in 1983 that Auburn's Andy Forsberg first got a taste of what it felt like to be in victory lane. It was back then that Forsberg stood on the front stretch holding a precious trophy after winning the Kid's Night bicycle races with his father Richard by his side. Saturday night, Forsberg exercised his nostalgic ways, driving to victory at Placerville Speedway before a packed grandstand for Mountain Democrat Kid's Night.
"It's always special to win on Kid's Night at this place, it brings back a lot of really cool memories of racing my bike as kid," said Forsberg, who's speech was barely audible over the crowd that was casting both cheers and jeers towards the four time champion. The crowd response seems to be routine each year late in the season towards the driver known as Mr. Excitement when his wins become accumulative and the championship title nears closer.
"Ok, ok, you guys can keep coming out and booing me all you want, even on Kid's Night," mused Forsberg. "It's not going to change things, we already got the win and if your coming out to boo me, well that’s alright because at least it means your coming out here and supporting this great race track and that's all that really matters."
Forsberg started on the pole of Saturday's 25-lap feature event. At the waving of the green flag the 2013 three time winner here took off in a lead he would never relinquish with Princeton's Mason Moore in his wake as they worked their way deep into lapped traffic. The event went without a great amount of caution flags and only one red flag that flew on the 19th lap when Billy Butler went upside down in the third turn after an incident when Forsberg was lapping the Sacramento area driver. Butler was uninjured in the incident and took a moment to address Forsberg during the red flag, which was partially responsible for many of the jeers from the fans that overtook Forsberg's victory lane speech.
"I know that team is pretty mad at me right now but they are always mad at someday and tonight I'm the one they want to beat up," said Forsberg. "The bottom line is if you’re a lapped car and the leader is coming you don't need to be racing with him, you need to do the right thing and get out of his way. I won't deny it, I wasn't clear of him when I made the pass but I didn't do that intentionally. A few laps before that he cut me off in turn one. That's racing and its going to happen now and there's no reason to want to fight about it."
In the end, Forsberg was followed across the line by Elk Grove's Greg DeCaires who drove up from the 15th starting position to steal second place from Moore in the closing laps. Moore finished in second followed by Steven Tiner of Elverta and Colby Wiesz of Colfax.
In the Pure Stock division, Les Friend of Galt drove from the sixth place starting position to victory. Friend overtook early race leader Chris Van Roekel of Grass Valley to drive into the lead he would never relinquish. At the checkered flag, Tom Grady of El Dorado snagged the second position over Van Roekel. Tim Mack of Placerville was fourth followed by Chris Wirth of Pollock Pines.
"What a great crowd here tonight, they are pretty passionate too," said Friend, as the crowd was still heckling Forsberg. "You know in racing things happen out here on the track and we need to let it go. It's racing, we do it for fun. We're having fun, I have to thank all my sponsors, crew and my family for this. We just have to show up next week and we have the championship and that was my goal this season. I love this place and I'm looking at doing a late model next year."
In the Late Model Division, Tom Tilford of Citrus Heights started on the pole with his championship rival Matt Micheli of Live Oak on the outside. Tilford powered into the lead at the green flag while Micheli searched for a line in an effort to remain in the point chase with Tilford.
Former Pure Stock Champion Jason Englund started in the fourth place position aboard the #66 Late Model owned locally by John Hollow Hornbear of Shingle Springs. Englund advanced into the top three with just three laps complete and one lap later overtook Tilford for the lead on the backstretch. The two leaders battled for the next several laps. At the finish line Englund picked up his long awaited win with his new team followed by Tilford, Ken Micheli of Live Oak and Matt Micheli.
"It's really nice to finally be standing here in victory lane again, its been a long time since I have done this," said Englund. I just really want to thank John and Rose for putting me in their car. They make this car fast for me each week and I get to come out here and have the easy job so I want to thank them and their sponsors for all the support."
In the visiting Nor Cal Dwarf Car division, Ryan Winter of Tracy drove to another strong win at Placerville. Winter overcame a race long battle with early leader Shawn Jones who eventually fell out of contention with a wayward wide route of the first and second turns. In the closing laps, Rocklin's Kevin Bender closed in on the lead to finish second followed by Ben Wiesz and Scott Dahlgren.
"That was a really good race we had tonight, this place is always fun,"said Winter. "I just want to thank all the fans that came out tonight to watch us again. We love this place."
Saturday's event was sponsored by the Mountain Democrat Newspaper and all kids were admitted free with bicycle races at intermission and free soda and popcorn for the kids. The result was a near capacity crowd at the speedway thanks to the marketing efforts and partnership with the Mountain Democrat.
"We couldn't do this without them, The Mountain Democrat's partnership with this speedway is one of the best things to come to Placerville Speedway," said track promoter Alan Handy. "I can't thank Richard Esposito and his staff enough for all they do for this place year after year. This was one of the best kids nights ever."
Racing resumes at Placerville Speedway next Saturday night with the penultimate championship race of the season. Gates will open at 5 pm followed by ADCO Driveline qualifying at 6:30.
- Bill Sullivan on Aug 18, 2013
- Article Date: 8/18/2013