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Becker looks to defend Civil War Invitational title Wednesday

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Photo by Steve La Mothe[/caption]

CHICO, CA (9-3-10) - It's the annual crown jewel of the Civil War Sprint Car Series, the Gold Cup Civil War Invitational at Silver Dollar Speedway. This high profile event is less than a week ahead and will officially open the 57th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions.

The Civil War Sprint Car Series Invitational features the top 32 drivers in the current point standings for the competitive traveling series for 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars. The event is an invitational event that showcases the best of west in a race that pays $3000 to win and kicks off a huge week of racing in California.

This year the exciting division will be joined by the mighty midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association and the fire breathing wingless sprint cars of the Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Car Shootout Series. This will be the first time in many years that three open wheel divisions of such high caliber will be in competition together on Wednesday night at the Gold Cup.

Entering Wednesday's event, defending two time Civil War Champion Sean Becker leads the current Civil War Series point standings. Becker is looking to make history in 2010 by becoming the first driver to win three consecutive championships in this competitive race series.

Last year, Becker took home the $3000 victory in the Wednesday night event at the track where he cut his teeth into the sport of sprint car racing. A native of nearby Oroville, Becker is a former Silver Dollar Speedway Champion as well as a past Golden State Challenge Series Champion. He is no stranger to victory lane at Silver Dollar Speedway and will be gunning for a repeat victory this Wednesday.

"We didn't start this season off as strong as we planned to, in fact we even missed an A main one night," said Becker. "But now we've really made a strong come back and I can't thank my car owner Scott Miller enough for everything he does for this car. We're really excited about the Gold Cup event and hopefully we can continue this good luck streak there."

Becker is currently two points ahead of Sacramento's Herman Klein who has been a top three threat all season long after winning the series opener in Placerville back in March. Former four time champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn is just four points out of the lead while former two time champion Mike Henry of Sacrament is fourth overall, 19-points from the lead. Mason Moore of Princeton is fifth followed Chico's Stephen Allard and Cody Lamar of Rio Linda are just out of the top five ahead of Nicole Miller of Elk Grove, Jeremy Burt of Grass Valley and Trent Canales of Roseville.

Saturday's event will welcome the top 32 drivers in the Civil War point standings or their alternates for a complete race program that will conclude with the 30-lap feature event that pays $3000 to win. The event will feature qualifying for the sprint cars, heat races and semi main events leading up to the feature race.

The Civil War Sprint Cars are being joined by the fire breathing wingless sprints of the Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprint Car Series and the mighty midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association. Look for further details upcoming on these two exciting divisions as they open the Gold Cup Race of Champions.

All seating for the Wednesday night show at Silver Dollar Speedway will be general admission and tickets will be available at the gate. Adults will be $25, Seniors $20, Juniors $12 and Children will be $5.

Throughout the week on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds a variety of entertainment venues and activities will be taking place beginning on Thursday night as Kronik Energy Drink presents the electrifying band known as "Double Funk Crunch" in the Silver Dollar Pavilion after the races. This event will be free and will feature discount tacos, beer and beverages as well as video footage on the big screen of Gold Cup's most fantastic moments during the affair that combines family fun with a happy hour environment.

On Friday night the Hunt Magnetos Miss Gold Cup Bikini Contest and Chili Feed returns. Entries are now available for this event that will pay $1000 to the winner. This year, Chico's flammable rock and roll band "Hot Flash!" will perform during the Chili Feed and following the Miss Gold Cup Bikini Contest. For just $7 admission, race fans can enjoy all you can eat chili, salad and cornbread. Discount beer and soda will be on tap. The event culminates with the crowning of Miss Gold Cup 2010 who will pick up $1000 for her efforts. A limited number of entries for the Miss Gold Cup Bikini Contest remain available and may be obtained at the Silver Dollar Speedway novelty booth or by calling (916) 969-7484.

It's all happening at the one and only Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California September 8, 9, 10 and 11th. Don't be left out of the action, order your tickets today and plan to join thousands of race fans at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. For further information visit www.handyracingpromotions.com or call the track business office at (916) 969-7484.

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