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Abouzeid Shines in Dirt Modifieds at Chico

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] HRP Photos by Steve Cox[/caption]

CHICO, CA (6-9-09) - After a two-week hiatus racing will return to the Silver Dollar Speedway this Friday night, June 12. Last Friday night was canceled because of a pesky weather system that did not leave the area. The forecast this week looks solid and we are anticipating a great night of racing. Three divisions are set to hit the newly configured Silver Dollar Speedway. The 410 winged sprints, dirt modifieds and street stocks will enter point race number nine during the Feather Falls Casino championship series. Chico Volkswagen is the night's sponsor. It is located at the corner of 9th and Main Street in downtown Chico.

Racing is set to begin at 7 pm. Sprint car qualifying will be the first agenda of the night. Front grandstand gate will open at 6 pm. Pit gate opens at 4 pm. Adult general admission into the main grandstand is $12.00. Juniors and seniors are $10.00 with children $5.00. After the racing action fans are invited to meet and greet their favorite drivers in the pit area.

Chico's Mark Abouzeid has been a fixture not only at the Silver Dollar Speedway but also as a local businessman. Abouzeid is currently leading the dirt modified point standings. In the two races run this season, Abouzeid has won both of them. He holds a two-point advantage over Chico's Darin Ruley. Abouzeid began racing at the age of 27. Hence, the number on his racecars have always been 27. He has raced in almost all the divisions at Silver Dollar Speedway. He started out in the Late Models then in 1994 switched to winged sprint cars. He also has competed in the 360 ranks. In the past couple of years Mark has concentrated on dirt modifieds and the results have been staggering. His nickname, "the rocket man" did not come from him running around in the back of the pack. Abouzeid also races his wingless sprint occasionally. He is one of the rare few that can truly drive all kinds of racecars at Chico and have succeeded in doing so. Abouzeid's roots are traced back to watching his stepfather race SCCA events. He spent many family weekends traveling to races.

An added bonus for any competitor racing this Friday at the Silver Dollar Speedway in the dirt-modified division is a free � pound bag of beef jerky courtesy of www.papasbeefjerky.com. Our good friend Damon will hand out the jerky after the races. We thank him for the support.

Chico's Phil Marino and Heather Bartlett will resume their hotly contested point battle this Friday night. These two have been putting on quite the show for the fans. It's been one of the intriguing stories this year.

Bobby McMahan is ready to get back at it. The 410 winged sprint point leader has not raced in Chico for about one month. In fact, most of the 410 regulars last race was on May 15. Needless to say, they will be excited to back onto the track.

For more information concerning the ASA Sanctioned Silver Dollar Speedway please visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com

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