Weekend highlights include heat race victory on the famed half mile Calistoga Speedway
[i By Bill Sullivan, Chicko Motorsports Media]
[b PENNGROVE, CA (5-31-10)] – After being on the road far from home nearly every single weekend, Penngrove's Alissa Geving had the pleasure of racing near her hometown throughout the three day Memorial Day weekend as the Golden State Challenge Series roared into California's North Bay for three events at two different tracks. After racing at Petaluma Speedway on Friday night and the Calistoga Speedway the following two days, Geving's weekend produced mixed results and consistency in the series point standings.
"We didn't have what I would call a great weekend when it comes to the actual results," said Geving, who sits sixth in the championship point standings of the Golden State Challenge Series tour. "But I had a really great time racing so close to home. It was great to see all my fans and sponsors who aren't able to travel every weekend."
On Friday night, Geving returned to Petaluma Speedway on the Sonoma-Marin County Fairground. It is as this 3/8 mile dirt track in the heart of the North Bay where the 18-year-old lady racer made her mark in motor sports history as a two time track champion. Racing at home isn't all too common for Geving in 2010 as she chose to follow the premier California tour to broaden her racing career and the needed exposure to one day extend her racing career to the professional level.
On Friday night, Geving qualified 6th with a 12:645 second lap on the Petaluma clay. In heat racing competition she started in the third position and finished second, setting her sights on the six lap dash. After finishing 8th in the next preliminary, Geving started on the outside of row four for the 25-lap feature event.
After fighting an extremely tight race car throughout the event, Geving finished in the ninth position when the checkered flag waved. After spending a great deal of time with her fans that lined up for her new souvenir t shirts and hero cards, Geving and her Chicko Motorsports team packed up and headed over the mountain to California's largest dirt track; the intimidating Calistoga Speedway.
Sitting at a half mile in length, the Calistoga Speedway has been in operation since 1937. During the years the track has a long list of historical statistics. While many of the facts consist of triumph at Calistoga, others include trial and destruction. For Geving, focus and patience was the motto as she returned to the flat oval that lies in the shadow of the scenic Mt. Saint Helena in the heart of the California wine country.
"Racing at Calistoga is always special for me," said Geving. "Not just because it's close to home but because of it's rich history in the sport and the speeds it produces. It's always a little bit scary when you take the green flag there but with that fear comes respect. All of us are well aware of what Calistoga has to offer both good and bad."
On night one of the tribute to Walter Ross, Geving qualified 10th with a 17:500 second lap aboard the Tillett Tool, Pit Stop USA, Auto Repairs Unlimited #3x Maxim. In the preliminary portion of the program she finished second in her heat race after battling with her colleague Zach Zimmerly at speeds exceeding 105 miles per hour. When the checkered flag flew on the night, Geving had endured a fast yet brutal track to finish 11th overall.
On Saturday night, Geving qualified ninth with an 18:179 second lap. In heat race competition she drove around pole sitter and longtime friendly rival Kyle Larson to drive to victory in the eight lap affair. In the feature event Geving started 11th and began pressing her way through the field until a scary moment took place on lap seven when she entered the fourth turn in a burst of flames. Geving was uninjured from the incident in which the oil filter casing fractured and ended her weekend run with a 16th place finish.
"We were fighting some issues with motor earlier in the night," said Geving. "It was feeling much better in the feature. As soon as I saw the smoke come up from the inside I knew it wasn't good and before I cold even think about it the car was on fire. It's times like this I am really thankful for all of the great safety equipment we use. It's a true testimony to my faith in the rule that safety always comes first."
This Saturday night, Geving will head east to the Placerville Speedway bullring for round 13 of the Golden State Challenge Series. So far this season Geving has four top ten finishes in the traveling series, a semi-feature event win and two heat race wins.
"I'm looking forward to going back to Placerville again," said Geving. "This year we have improved our results there each time we have raced and hopefully we can continue to do so. It's one of the tougher tracks on the schedule with it's banking and I'm ready to get back on it."
Chicko Motorsports would like to thank their current dedicated marketing partners including, Tillett Tool, Pit Stop USA, Auto Repairs Unlimited and Matt Cordeiro Enterprises. Additional associate sponsors and promotional considerations include K&N Filters, Napa Auto Parts, Flowmaster Mufflers, Hodgin and Son Tree Service, Allstar Performance, Santa Rosa Auto Parts, Jeremy's Chair Repair, Afex Graphics, Simpson Racing Products, 21st Century Health Club, Vanlare Steering Repair, Pro Shocks, ALC Machine, JW Web Design and Sullivan Images Media Specialties.
Following her race in Placerville, Alissa Geving will have new shirts designed by Randy Frank as well as her new hero cards produced by Steve Cox and Graph X Design. She and her team looks forward to meeting fans of all ages after each event. To learn more about Alissa Geving and her Chicko Motorsports Team can learn more at their website at www.chick-o-motorsports.com. Alissa Geving is seeking additional sponsorship for the remainder of the 2010 season. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact team owner Gary Geving at: gary3x@yahoo.com.
[i(Photo by John's Racing Photos)]
- Bill Sullivan on Jun 02, 2010
- Article Date: 6/2/2010