4/12/2025
Silver Dollar Speedway
Justin Sanders Wins Prelude to Mini Gold Cup
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sanders, Cooper, and Rodgers All Friday Night Winners
CHICO, Calif., April 11, 2025…Justin Sanders won the 30-lap 410 sprint car main event Friday night at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. Tonight's win marks his 15th career victory at Chico.
Yuba City’s Brian Cooper won the 20-lap Hobby Stock main event. Chico’s Tyler Rodgers held his home court and won the 20-lap IMCA Sport Mod feature. In all, 54 cars attended the Friday night show. There were 29 of the 410 sprint cars, 14 Hobby Stocks and 11 IMCA Sport Mods.
It was an entertaining 30 lap sprint car main event for the fans. Chance Grasty kept Sanders honest during the “cowboy up” style racing surface. While Sanders led the first six laps, Grasty capitalized on a mistake from Sanders, and took the lead on lap seven. It was short lived, as on lap nine Sanders took the lead back. Sanders would lead the next 20 laps without giving up the lead. Grasty was solid and kept veteran drivers behind him to finish second. Shane Golobic raced his way into third by lap 19. He is always so consistent at Chico and finished third. Dominic Scelzi started in fifth. He soon fell to sixth place for the first 20 laps. With ten to go, Scelzi got back on the wheel and finished fourth. Roudning out the top five was 14th place starting Andy Forsberg of Auburn. Forsberg was the hard charger of the night, gaining nine spots.
Mariah Ede thrilled the crowd when she became the new leader of the B main event on lap 10. She led the final few circuits to get the popular win. Following her into the main event were Tyler Thompson, Kaleb Montgomery, and Blaine Cory.
Heat race winners were Sanders, Scelzi, and Tanner Carrick. Ashton Torgerson timed in the fastest lap at 11.370.
Brian Cooper started in the fifth spot at the beginning of the 20-lap Hobby Stock main event. By lap one, he was the leader. Cooper dove to the bottom of the track and dominated the race. Everyone else either couldn’t hug the bottom like Cooper or chose to race on the high side. Whatever the reason may be, it benefited Cooper as he was untouchable tonight. Toby Merrifield was on a mission tonight. After starting in the fourth row, Merrifield moved his way into the second spot with four laps to go. It was as far as he went and came home in second. After a rough heat race, Jared Flower regrouped. He started 11th and passed eight cars to finish third. Flower showed a lot of heart to battle back the way he did. Willy King finished in the fourth sport. Kevin Thomas held on for fifth.
Kevin Thomas and Toby Merrifield each won their eight-lap heat race. Great job overall by the Hobby Stocks once again at Chico.
Jace Wright was fast right out of the gate. Wright led the first seven laps of the IMCA Sport Mod feature. On lap eight, Chico’s Tyler Rodgers emerged as the new leader. For the next 11 laps those two drivers put on a good show. Wright was never able to pass Rodgers back for the lead, but applied all kinds of pressure until the checkered flag. Both the winner Rodgers, and Wright, did a great job of racing for the win. Behind them, Shannon Barton and Shawn Smith battled for the third spot. In the end, Barton held on to finish third. Smith came home in fourth. Evan Scroggins rounded out the top five.
Wright picked up the win in heat one. Rodgers grabbed the win in heat two. It was a clean sweep for Rodgers at this home track.
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Submitted By: troy hennig