By Bill Sullivan for Chicko Motorsports
PETALUMA, CA (8-13-11) – The next month is a big one for Penngrove’s Alissa Geving in her sprint car racing career. In the next three weeks 19-year old Geving will focus on racing her way to her third championship title at the famed Petaluma Speedway on the Sonoma Marin County Fairgrounds. Once accomplished, the personable young lady that knows how to put the pedal to the medal will become the most decorated champion in three generations of racers in her family.
“This really means a lot to me to be racing towards a third championship this year,” said Geving. “Petaluma Speedway is where I grew up. It’s where my grandfather raced and then my Dad and they both had a lot of success here. They apparently passed on their winning ways to me and I am proud to carry on their tradition with a third championship but we still have some work to do.”
While Geving will often attribute her high speed gene pool for much of her success behind the wheel of a race car, she still gives credit where credit is due. Racing is a family affair for Alissa Geving and if not for the hard work of both of her parents, the crew and the great group of sponsors she carries she would not be where she sits today.
“I really have to thank everyone that is supporting me this season,” said Geving. “I made the choice to race closer to home this year and everyone stood behind me. They support me 100 percent and without them I wouldn’t be able to do this, nor would I want to do it.”
Entering Saturday night, Geving leads the Petaluma Speedway point standings with an outstanding point lead of 95 points between second place driver Kirk Simpson and herself. The season has been one of great success for Geving as she has she has competed both locally and with the traveling Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series.
Last weekend, Geving took part in the 11th segment of the Civil War Series at the famed half mile Calistoga Speedway at the Napa County Fairgrounds. This event marks the one and only opportunity to race at Calistoga Speedway for the Civil War Series. The scenic speedway in the Napa Valley is like a second home track to Geving as it just over the mountainside from her North Bay residence and another track where many of her dedicated fans and sponsors can travel to.
In preliminary action Geving qualified 15th in the field with a lap time of 18:607 on the half mile. Prior to heat races, Gary Geving and the Chicko Motorsports crew went to work on the Tillet Tool, A1A Performance Muffler, Tillett Tool #3x ART Sprint car to dial it in for the upcoming eight lap heat race.
Taking to the newly improved Calistoga Speedway surface for the heat race, Geving drove her way to a third place finish to lock herself into a starting position within the inversion of the 25 lap A feature. Due to its size an length, avoiding a B feature at Calistoga is a dream come true for any driver to prevent tire wear and other damage as they reach speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour at the facility.
In the feature race, Geving does what she does best behind the wheel. She found the perfect balance between patience and aggression to push her way through the field. After starting in the 16th position, Geving worked her way into the top ten early in the race and then capped the night with an 8th place finish at the checkered flag.
“I was pretty happy with the run we had at Stoga,” said Geving. “We don’t get to race there very often so it’s hard to get the set up just perfect. My crew did a great job getting the car dialed in after qualifying and I had a blast out there. I’m looking forward to coming back home to Petaluma now though.”
Geving is currently 4th in the Civil War Series Championship point standings. She is only 67-points out of the lead. Geving has garnered four top five finishes and seven top ten placements in the Civil War Series. She has also won two preliminary heat races.
As she continues to compete in the Civil War Series and the Petaluma Speedway championship, Geving carries the sponsorship of Tillett Tool of Santa Rosa along with the online superstore Pit Stop USA that is based in Petaluma and Napa's Matt Cordeiro Enterprises a and Auto Repairs Unlimited with A1A Performance of Santa Rosa. Associate sponsors include Golden Gate Meat Company North, K&N Filters, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, R2C, Napa Auto Parts, Flowmaster Mufflers, Allstar Performance, Santa Rosa Auto Parts, Simpson Racing Products, 21st Century Health Club, Pro Shocks, ALC Machine and JW Web Design.
To learn more about Alissa Geving visit her official website at www.chick-o-motorsports.com. Chicko Motorsports can also be found on facebook.
- Bill Sullivan on Aug 12, 2011
- Article Date: 8/12/2011 by Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media