QUINCY, California — Sacramento’s Sean Becker drove to his second season victory in the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series Saturday night at the American Valley Speedway in Quincy, California.
The event was the fourth round of the traveling Civil War Race Series and marked the one and only visit of the year to the scenic, 3/8 mile American Valley Speedway.
Following his victory in round two at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico on Memorial Day weekend, Becker and the Scott Miller owned #2sb sprint car team have now carried their momentum back to the helm of the Civil War Series, taking the point lead following Saturday’s race. The 2008 Civil War Champion and former Silver Dollar Speedway champion is now poised for a stellar run towards his second consecutive championship title.
Becker appeared to be bound for a bridesmaid position in Saturday’s 30-lap feature event until the final two laps of the race when he “went for broke” and dove to the low side of race leader Mike Henry to steal the win.
“I had a nice wide track. I could pass on top, side or the bottom,” said Becker. “The previous few laps Mike Henry was missing the bottom going into turn three and I was able to go for broke on the final time he drifted wide, luckily we both made it through.”
Becker could not be credited for 100 percent of that exciting pass Saturday night. After suffering the heartbreaking loss of position, Henry explained he had a tire going down at the end.
“I had a tire going down those last few laps,” said Henry, who has returned to racing after a brief hiatus. “I was just trying to hang on to it until the end.”
Becker started Saturday’s feature event in the third position, behind pole sitter Brett Rollag of Rohnert Park. Henry took the lead from the outside of the front row and led the majority of the race until Becker closed in for the kill and took advantage of his failing rear tire.
Stephen Allard was the fast qualifier of the night and drove from third to fourth place in Saturday’s event. Rollag held on to the fourth position. Robbie Whitchurch of Chico finished fifth after charging up from seventh place.
A total of 26 cars entered the American Valley Speedway event. Many drivers and teams enjoyed the pre race practice session and BBQ on Friday night that was hosted by driver Mike Monahan.
“Promoters Jim Richardson and Curt Neiman should be proud of the improvements they have made to this speedway,” said Troy Hennig of Handy Racing Promotions, announcer for Saturday’s event. “In my five years of coming up to this place it’s the best I have seen it. I look forward to next year.”
In preliminary competition on Saturday, heat races were won by Brett Miller, Mike Monahan and James Sweeney. Myles Bishop won the B-feature and was trailed across the line by Andy Forsberg, Chad Compton, Mark Tabor Jr. and Andy Gregg.
In the A feature, Gregg was one of the true hard chargers in the field, earning the 10th finishing position from 20th.
Following Saturday’s event, Becker leads the series point standings with a 16-point advantage over previous leader Herman Klein. Allard is third in standings followed by Rollag, Matt Sargent and Andy Forsberg.
The Civil War Sprint Car Series will now head to Petaluma Speedway on Friday night, July 3 for the fifth round of the series. The will mark the second visit of the season to the North Bay track on the Sonoma-Marin County Fairgrounds. For further information on the Civil War Series visit the official series website at www.civilwarsprints.com.
