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Placerville Speedway hosts Civil War Series opener in special weeknight event
California’s top drivers expected to converge in El Dorado County for “Wild Winged Wednesday”
by Bill Sullivan

PLACERVILLE, CA (4-6-08) - Following an early season rain out, Placerville Speedway will host a special weeknight event this Wednesday, April 9th to bring high caliber sprint car racing to area fans. The quarter mile track on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds proudly presents the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car series, featuring California’s top drivers in the opening round of this competition, popular racing series.

The Civil War Sprint Car Series competes in 15 overall races at five different California tracks annually. Due to its central location and bullring style of racing action, Placerville Speedway is the home base of the Civil War series, hosting more events then any other track on the tour with four different dates in 2008.

Heading into the new Civil War season, Andy Forsberg of Auburn will lead the roster of entrants as he returns following his fourth Civil War Series title last season. In 2007 Forsberg prevailed in a season filled with challenges and mishaps. At one point during the season the driver known as “Mr. Excitement” admitted that he felt his car enjoyed being upside down more than right side up. Despite the set backs that were costly in valuable points and just as costly to his A&A Motorsports owned team. At the end of the long season Forsberg became the first driver to win four Civil War championship titles after finishing 24-points over Colby Wiesz of Colfax.

This season, Wiesz has stepped out of the FnF Racing #x1 machine and returns behind the wheel of the competitive John Taylor Motorsports #35 car formerly driven by two time champion Greg DeCaires. Wiesz departed from the FnF Team to allow former Civil War Champion David Robinson Jr. o Foresthill to return to the team. Robinson took a two year hiatus from racing to launch his son’s cart racing career and is returning with his eye on another championship title.

Placerville’s Andy Gregg. Gregg will be among the entries this Saturday as he begins another quest towards a possible series title. Last year Gregg became victorious at Placerville Speedway for the first time in his racing career, winning two feature events. In Civil War action he also posted two series victories and made a late season run toward the Civil War championship, pressuring Forsberg down to the final night of the year. DeCaires will return as well. The Elk Grove fan favorite is expected to be behind the wheel of the Breshears family #10x car for the Civil War campaign. Look for the young guns of last season to return in sophomore status this week.

Young Kyle Larson, 15, of Elk Grove became the youngest driver to ever win a feature event at Placerville Speedway last year. He was chased to the line by his childhood friendly rival Mason Moore of Princeton. This season, both drivers will bring their talents back to the playing field and are sure to be two drivers to beat in the series.

The 16-year-old lady racer from Penngrove, Alissa Geving, will be among the entries. This will be Geving’s first full year with the Civil War series. Last year she won four feature events while competing at Petaluma and Antioch Speedway to become the youngest feamel sprint car winner nationally while following in the footsteps of her father Gary and grandfather Leroy.

In addition to Geving, look for young Stacey Mathes to be among the drivers on hand.. The daughter of veteran driver Shawn Schmitz of Fair Oaks, Mathes will be vying for the Placerville Speedway Rookie title while Geving will set her sights on the Civil War honor.

Both lady racers are sure to fair well in the year to come. Additional local drivers expected Saturday include Placerville driver James Sweeney. Sweeney is a 2006 Placerville Speedway Rookie of the year who finished seventh in the point standings last year. Sweeney will be joined by Placerville’s Scott Russell as well as veteran driver C.J. Humphreys of Placerville, Justin Johnson and Marc Mackay of Shingle Springs and Placerville’s Jimmy Trulli, runner up to the 2007 Placerville Speedway track championship.

In addition to the Civil War regulars, a number of Golden State Challenge series drivers are expected to join Wednesday’s field. Among those that could make an appearance are San Jose sprint car star Tim Kaeding. Last year Kaeding returned from the national World of Outlaws tour and will compete as a true “outlaw” in 2008, competing in various high paying events throughout California and the United States.

Although it remains unconfirmed, additional GSC drivers expected at Placerville may include former NASCAR Busch Series driver Tyler Walker of Los Angeles, Chico’s Jonathan Allard may also be among the rare entries along with defending GSC Champion Brent Kaeding of Campbell.

The gates to Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday evening, an early arrival to the fairground is expected as all seating is general admission and first come-first serve. Adult tickets will be $15, juniors $10 and Children wil be $5. Those under six will be admitted for free. Wednesday’s format will include qualifying for the sprint cars followed by heat racing and preliminary feature events that will conclude with a 30-lap feature event worth $2000 to the winner, all part of a payout that nears $15000 Saturday night.

For additional information visit www.placervillespeedway.com and add it to your favorites on your web browser. Further information can also be obtained by calling the track office at 916-969-7484.