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Placerville's last dance; Becker wins the battle and the war in Civil War finale
Sacramento driver adds third California championship to his resume of accomplishments
by Bill Sullivan

Saturday, September 27, 2008 Results
Qualifying 360 Sprints Contingency Awards

Sean Becker celebrates his fourth win to close out his championship season. JPM Photo Donna Peter

PLACERVILLE, CA (9-27-08) - When it comes to the combination of talent and professionalism, Sacramento resident Sean Becker is undoubtedly one of the true ambassadors to the sport of sprint car racing. From the start of his racing career, Becker has been known for his respect on and off the race track, his sincere personality and most of all, his consistent competitive nature behind the wheel of a winged sprint car. It has been that trio of qualities that led Becker to his third racing championship in California Saturday night.

Driving his Scott Miller #2sb sprint car, Becker not only claimed the 2008 Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series title at Placerville Speedway Saturday night, he muscled his way to his fourth feature victory in the series to drive into victory line and earn his championship crown.

"This is just awesome, this has been an incredible year for me," said Becker, who became father early in the season and has driven to 10 top five finishes in the Civil War season to garner the winnings that are surely spent on the newest pride of his life. "Becoming a new dad this year is the greatest thing in my life and now winning this championship means a lot. I have a lot of people to thank for this."

After winning a Silver Dollar Speedway title in 2005 and the Golden State Challenge title that same year, Becker set his sights on a Civil War title at the start of this season. Teaming with Miller and his Riolo Racing Engines team, Becker took charge of the Civil War series from the start of the season, scoring a total of 10 top five finishes and 11 top ten placements to win the title by 33-points over Elk Grove's Kyle Larson, a driver who pressured Becker for the crown right down to the final race of the series.

"I have to thank Scott and the whole crew involved with this team," said Becker. "From for the race I have always had great confidence in them, these guys don't give up and even on our bad nights we still managed to come out on top. I have to thank John and Alan Padjen for promoting this series and always giving us a quality track to race on week after week. They work hard to promote this sport and it really appreciated."

Becker started Saturday's event in the sixth position. After a series of red flags that sent Placerville's Jimmy Trulli and Jason Statler of Los Gatos to the pits or the night, he advanced in the field before a single lap was even scored. Once the green flag came out it was down to Becker and Sacramento's Herman Klein in a battle for the lead.

After passing pole sitter Scott Kinney of Citrus Heights early in the race, Klein took command of the field with Becker in tow and within striking distance for much of the race. On the 27th lap Becker charged to the outside of Klein for good to take the lead just before the waving of the white flag. At the finish line it was Becker followed by Klein and Miles Bishop of Escalon who finished in the third position.

In the season ending point standings, Becker claims the title by 33 points over Larson who scored 7 top five finishes and 11 top ten finishes throughout the year, including two victories. Larson was known as the hard charger of the season, often starting deep in the field and working his way to the front every week.

Former four time series champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn finished third in point standings despite missing one event. Klein had one of his most successful years, claiming fourth place in the standings, 44-points behind Forsberg.

Finishing in the fifth position overall is Penngrove's Alissa Geving. Throughout the season Geving and Bishop have partaken in a friendly rivalry for the 2008 Rookie of the Year title. The competition for this honor is often watched just as closely as the championship title as the youngest drivers to the series battle to become the highest finishers in the point standings by the end of the year.

Both Geving and Bishop continued the tradition of making this title race exciting, swapping positions several times throughout the season. While the two battled on the track they were friends off the track, illustrating the great sportsmanship that follows the sport of spring car racing in Northern California.

Entering the final night Geving has a 48-point advantage over Bishop in the standings. Geving's night concluded with an 8th place finish in the B-main while Bishop finished third in the A-feature. At the conclusion of the night the 17-year-old lady driver edged Bishop by 20-points in the standings. Geving is tied for fifth with Calistoga's Mike Benson while Bishop ranks seventh in the standings.

Saturday's event officially concludes the racing season at Placerville Speedway. Many of Saturday's drivers will now head north to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico to compete in the annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For further information visit www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.