CHICO, CA (8-28-09) - It was championship Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway. Feather Falls Casino point race number 21 brought all four divisions together for one night of racing. The ASA Sanctioned racetrack hosted fan appreciation night also that brought out droves of fans to witness the final point race of the year. Napa Auto Parts of Orland, Cherry St. Mini Storage and Coca-Cola were all involved in sponsoring fan appreciation night.

24-winged 410 sprint cars lined the pit area with some returning champions in attendance. Tim Kaeding brought a nice vibe to the speedway in the Roth Motorsports #83. Andy Forsberg also returned to the track after missing the past month because of motor issues. Yet, when it was all said and done, the hottest driver at the speedway won again. Kyle Hirst continued his hot streak and won the 25-lap race. Hirst now has won four of the past six main events held at the speedway. The two mains he did not win he still finished in fourth and sixth place. Brett Miller was the leader for most of the early part of the race. Miller led fellow front row starter Brad Bumgarner to the green flag. Hirst, who started fifth, moved into second on lap six and then passed Miller on lap 11. Bobby McMahan moved into the third spot on lap 13. Sean Becker challenged McMahan most of the race for that spot and was able to get by McMahan on lap 23. Becker finished on the podium while his teammate McMahan finished in fourth but more importantly he captured the track championship. It was truly a pleasure to watch McMahan not only race this year but it should be also noted how professional he handled himself this season. Our young drivers could learn a lot from a veteran like McMahan. "This is still a young man's sport," said McMahan in championship lane when asked about how it felt to win as a veteran and leader of sprint car racing. "I was nervous during the heat race but once I knew we transferred into the main and had wrapped it up it made it a little easier during the feature. But these young kids are tough and tonight I am wore out. I like the dry, slick tracks in my old age and I'm not so sure about these tight, tacky little quarter-miles."

One driver, Mark Abouzeid, had dominated the dirt-modified season. Tonight he continued his dominance. Abouzeid led all 20-laps to win his sixth main event of the year in route to his first track championship. Abouzeid got the advantage over Randy McDaniel at the start of the main event. McDaniel soon pulled off the speedway and was down for the night. Darin Ruley, who has been Abouzeid's toughest point competitor this year, ran in the second spot. He held off a charging Richard Papenhausen. "It truly was a dream season," said Abouzeid in victory and championship lane. "It's been a pleasure to come out here and do this well. I mean six wins, that is wonderful!"

The street stock race came down to a battle between Jeff Olschowka and Heather Bartlett. Olschowka won the race but Bartlett won the war. Bartlett charged from he eleventh starting spot to finish second. At the drop of the green flag she had captured the championship. We all witnessed history as Bartlett became the first female track champion during the long-standing history at the Silver Dollar Speedway. "After three years we finally got the championship," said Bartlett. "It's been so great to see all of the support I have out here at the track and I have to thanks my family for supporting me all these years." It was also nice to see last year's champion Scott Rogers in victory lane congratulation Bartlett. Rogers was not able to defend his championship this year but the two became close friends last year and I thought it was really nice of him to be here tonight supporting and congratulating her. Olschowka ended the year with two wins in a row. "I really enjoyed the last two weeks of racing in this division," said Olschowka. "I also need to thank Ira Compton for giving me a shot in the dirt modifieds this season."

Wingless sprints had a nice finish to their year. BJ Martin won his second wingless sprint Coca-Cola night trophy. He also won a street stock Coca-Cola night a few years back. He held off a charging Jimmy Pettit in the final laps to get the win. For Pettit it was good enough to win his first Joe Hunt Magneto's track title. Pettit was very happy standing on the front straight with the championship banner. "I have to thank all my sponsors and crew and my family," said Pettit. "We had a great season this year and after the race I think I banged up my oil pan while celebrating off the back straight, so luckily I did that when the racers were over," said Pettit. It's been a nice evolution to see Pettit come from the pure stocks into a wingless sprint and win a deserving track title.