Solo series event in Quincy sure to be a barn burner as well as Friday night open competition
QUINCY, CA (6-18-11) – They only visit the place once a year, but it has become a favorite venue on the annual Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series tour. It’s time for the winged warriors of Northern California to rumble in jungle as the American Valley Speedway in Quincy will host round six of the Civil War Series this Saturday, June 18.
Friday's event is the 6th of 14 events at six of California's best known race tracks that will experience the thrill of Civil War Sprint Car Racing. The hosts of this tour span Northern California from the Sierra Foothills to the Wine Country and the Coastal Region. Saturday's event and every regular Civil War Series event will pay $2000 to the winner and $300 to start the 22 car A-feature.
Overall, this series will compete for more than $250,000 over the year and an outstanding championship fund of $40,000 in championship funds is in place Additional contingency awards throughout the year are expected to reach the $30,000 mark in various products as well.
As they enter the third series event in three weeks, the Civil War stars are amidst a heated battle for the coveted 2011 series title. This year’s championship is the richest in the history of the Civil War Series with $10,000 going to the champion alone when the 14-race tour concludes in September at Placerville Speedway.
Heading to the 3/8 mile American Valley Speedway this Saturday, defending five time Civil War Champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn and top contender Herman Klein, of Sacramento, are now tied for the Civil War Series point lead. Forsberg has captured two victories this season so far among his three top five finishes. During those strong performances, Klein has kept the driver known as ‘Mr. Excitement “ in his sights. Now, Klein is poised to possible take over the lead if he can out perform Forsberg in the hills of Quincy this weekend.
Sitting third in the championship standings is Visalia’s Steven Tiner. Tiner is also well in the hunt for the point lead as he is only 10-points behind the tied leaders. Tiner has three top five finishes to his name, using that consistency to be a factor all season long. Sitting four is two time series champion Sean Becker of Roseville. Becker has had a challenging start to the 2011 series; the most recent set back was a heat race crash in Placerville that kept him from the feature event.
Becker is currently 13-points behind the leaders as he enters the Quincy event and looks to turn his early season tough luck into good. Sitting in the fifth position is Penngrove’s Alissa Geving. The two time Petaluma Speedway Champion and former Civil War Rookie of the Year is very much in the hunt for the title. Geving is just 24-points out of the lead and 11-points behind Becker.
Currently tied with Geving for the fifth position is one of California’s hottest 360 sprint car drivers, Kyle Hirst of Sacramento. Since teaming up with the Smith brothers for 2011, Hirst has been a man on a mission lately. He has a single feature win in the Civil War Series and is currently on a three race win streak at his home track of Placerville Speedway.
The Human Highlight Reel Geoff Ensign of Sebastopol is seventh in the ranks followed by former series champion Mike Henry of Citrus Heights, former Marysville Champion Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley and Chase Johnson of Penngrove.
While the Civil War Sprint Car Series will not converge on the American Valley Speedway until Saturday night, drivers will have an early opportunity to compete on the track the night before. On Friday night the track will host the Jim Richardson 360 Sprint Car Classic open show that will be accompanied by IMCA Modifieds and Mini Stocks.
Saturday’s race is being bannered as the Mike Monahan Superior Hydraulic Civil War Series Shootout race.
The American Valley Speedway is located on the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, 204 Fairgrounds Road in Quincy. According to the track website, the pit gate will open at 3 p.m. both days. The grandstands will open at 5 p.m. with racing stating at 7 p.m. For additional information visit www.americanvalleyspeedway.com or contact the track business office at (530) 283-2175. Camping is available on the fairgrounds, for further information on camping call the fairgrounds office at (530) 283-6272. For additional information on the 2011 Civil War Sprint Car Series visit www.civilwarsprints.com.
- Bill Sullivan on Jun 14, 2011
- Article Date: 6/14/2011 by Bill Sullivan/Civil War Series Media Relations