Keith Hopkinson Jr. from Newcastle, CA earned first place in the inaugural season of AllStar Race Truck Series racing in the Northern California area Gold Rush region.
In a limited schedule in the AllStar Race Truck Series Gold Rush region inaugural year, Keith had an average finish of second place and a CPI index of .6850 winning half of the races and finishing in the Top 5 in all the races. Keith also finished second in the National rankings.
“I came back to the series this year because I like the racing. It’s always a close field and every race was tough, but fun” Hopkinson said. “ I was able to run a truck that was originally built in 1997 with a junk motor, but it made enough power to keep me up front. The year end points funds awards were great. The cash and Speedway Bodies award will help me get ready for 2005.”
“Keith made a commitment to help the region get started back in January by bringing his truck out to car shows and swap meets” said Kelly Conway, Gold Rush region Race Director. “Then he turned out to be a fast and consistent racer which lead to his title. Toward the end of the year he faced some stiff competition from truck racers out of the Mountain states who traveled to some of the Gold Rush region events, but was able to run up front and secure his points lead”
Wayne Gunderson from Twin Falls, ID finished second in the region. “Wayne traveled to each of our three races at Champion Motor Speedway in Carson City, NV. He ran better each race gaining enough points from those events to finish second,” said Conway.
Regional awards totaling more than $3,000 of cash and certificates from national sponsors Speedway Bodies, Moe’s Custom Helmets, Rose City Racing, ATI, Ultrashield and regional sponsors PitStopUSA.com and Extreme Mufflers were distributed to the top seven finishers in the region. “When I agreed to help launch AllStar Truck Series racing in the northern California area, I was told by National Director Bob Gelsi that there would be a healthy reward for the racers who supported us at the end of the year. I think we were all surprised at the amount delivered,” said Conway. “It is a reflection of the growing strength of the series nationally. We look forward to an expanded schedule for the Gold Rush region in 2005.”
