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California Drivers Chase Gold

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] HRP Photo of Steve Cox[/caption]

CHICO, CA (9-4-09) - Twenty gold lacquered cups have been given away at the annual Gold Cup Race of Champions event at Silver Dollar Speedway since the last California driver won this huge event. This week, when the 56th Gold Cup is held at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico, a number of Golden State residents rank high on the list of potential winners. The event gets underway this Wednesday September 9 with the Winged Civil War sprint cars and Wingless local sprints. It will be followed by three straight nights of national World of Outlaw winged sprint car racing Thursday thru Saturday September 10-12.

Before Darrell Hanestad won this race in 1989, he had complained to race organizers that postponing the event to a Wenesday night because of rain cost him a full days wages. When Hanestad sat basking in glory at Silver Dollar Speedway after capturing the most prestigious short track race held on the West Coast, his thoughts no longer focused on a days lost wages. He had entered the history books as only the second California driver in modern history to win the granddaddy of all Sprint car races in California. Sacramento's Johnny Anderson had won the event in 1980, but the traveling World of Outlaw sprint car drivers have catapulted to victory ever since except for Hanestad's single upset. Not since slumping Danny Smith had come to the speedway in 1985 in a last minute deal with a California car owner had a bigger upset occurred in Gold Cup history.

This week, California will be well represented by both local and World of Outlaw drivers. Outlaw Jason Meyers has won three Mini Gold Cup titles and appeared headed for the Gold Cup win last year before he was knocked out of the race. Although he rates as a traveling Outlaw he resides in Clovis, California and learned Sprint car racing at Silver Dollar Speedway where he won his first major event in 1999. Meyer's can't rest on his Outlaw status with the upcoming California teams that will be knocking on the door this weekend. Newly crowned, King of California, Tyler Walker stormed to nine Golden State Challenge victories in the Statewide series this year. Chico's own Jonathan Allard, also a former Golden State and track champion, has been strong all year as well. Add Campbell father son team, Brent and Tim Kaeding, Sacramento's Sean Becker, Auburn's Andy Forsberg, Kyle Hirst, and a host of other challengers from California for one of the best chances ever to keep the Gold Cup at home.

All Wednesday night tickets are general admission going on sale at the main gate at 5 PM. All other tickets are being pre sold at the Speedway office behind the main grandstand 9 to 5 daily or they may be purchased at the gate each night. Information is available at www.handyracingpromotions.com. or you may call 530-891-6535.

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