PLACERVILLE, California — It was by far the hottest night of the year at ASA sanctioned Placerville Speedway with above 100 degree temperatures soaring into the evening hours. The action on the track for the 12th Red Hawk Casino Championship point race was heated as well in all three divisions.
Andy Forsberg of Auburn earned his fourth victory in the winged sprint cars while Tom Tilford of Citrus Heights picked up his fifth win of the year in the Pure Stock division. Tom Arbogast of Auburn became just the fourth different winner of the year in the Limited Late Model Pro Stocks. Joey Hoover of Rancho Cordova scored victory in the Capital City Midgets feature event.
In the sprint car feature, Forsberg started fourth on the grid and overtook third place from James Sweeney of Placerville and later moved into second when Scott Kinney of Citrus Heights went spinning in the first set of turns. Once in the second position Forsberg set his sights on early race leader Jimmy Trulli of Diamond Springs who started on he pole in Saturday’s feature event.
After stalking Trulli for six laps, the seventh lap was the scene where Forsberg powered down the backstretch into the lead he would never relinquish. Once in front, Forsberg powered his way into lapped traffic while Sweeney took over the entertainment role further back in the field.
After fading back to the fifth position, Sweeney worked his way back onto third on the 15th lap and chased down Trulli in traffic in the final laps to steal second place spot before the checkered flag. Forsberg and Sweeney were followed by Trulli and Greg Decaires of Elk Grove who was the McDonald’s Hard Charger of the night. C.J. Humphreys of Placerville finished fifth.
“First thing I have to do is apologize to Scott Kinney,” said Forsberg. “He got sideways right in front of me and I got into him and sent him around. The same thing happened last week with Jimmy Trulli and its not something I’m proud of when it happens. When you commit yourself to the high side like I do you give yourself very little room to avoid an incident. Tonight the track was fast up high and I hope we can come back her this Wednesday night and do I again.”
Sprint Cars return to Placerville Speedway this Wednesday night for round two of “Wild Winged Wednesday” featuring the Civil War Sprint Car Series. Forsberg won the last weeknight event here in the middle of a rain storm and is expected to be joined by nearly 40 cars.
“Hopefully the rain stays away from us this time,” he said. “The weeknight races are great and I hope the fans can fill the grandstands for it like they did last time. Come out and support your drivers and your local track.”
In the Pro Stock division, victory lane was a special place for Auburn’s Tom Arbogast. Arbogast returned to the track after a several week layoff aboard a brand new late model while his father, Geoff Arbogast raced as well to celebrate 40 years of racing in their family. Additionally, Arbogast launched his new business “Dirt Solutions” and awarded all of the feature winners a complimentary half gallon of the product for their efforts.
“This is a great night for us, I’m happy to be back out here and to be able to race with my Dad all night is pretty special,” said Arbogast. “He has a rough a night but after I won he told me I did really good because I came out and shot the Sheriff at Placerville.”
Arbogast was referring to holding off the efforts of point leader Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City. Bartlett has been dominant throughout the year at Placerville and has been frequently labeled Placerville’s ‘new sheriff.” Arobogast and Bartlett raced door to door for the lead Saturday night in a race that had its share of caution periods.
With just two laps into the race a red flag few when Jay Norton, Geoff Arbogast and Mike McPherson tangled on the front stretch. Norton and Arbogast went flying into the front stretch catch fence causing damage to the barrier and the track PA system. The incident posed a lengthy caution period while staff members of Handy Racing Promotions made repairs to the facility.
At the checkered flag it was Arbogast followed by Bartlett, Dan Brown Jr. of Nevada City, Wayne Trimble of Auburn and Dennis Armstrong of El Dorado.
In Pure Stock racing, Tilford was the man of the hour once again as he scored his fifth overall win of the year and his second consecutive feature win. With the victory, Tilford redeemed the division point lead over rival Heather Bartlett of Chico by a mere three points.
Tilford started the feature event in the third position and worked his way behind leader Jason Englund of Citrus Heights as Bartlett drove into the third positions, attempting to keep her rival in her sights.
On the eighth lap Tilford took the lead from Englund and never looked back as he distanced himself from the pack by several car lengths. At the finish line Tilford was trailed by Tilford, Bartlett, Rick Grunert and Scott Grunert.
“I just need to thank all of my sponsors for everything and everybody who helps get me out here each week,” said Tilford. “It’s good to two in a row again maybe I can eventually beat my own record of four but it would take a lot of work. I have the crew behind me to do it though that’s for sure. A big thanks to all of them for their hard work and were back in the point lead again, it feels good.”
In the visiting Capital City Midgets, Joey Hoover of Rancho Cordova took home the win after an early race rally with Dillon Silverman of Chico. Hoover eventually broke free of the field to score the victory over Rick Holbrook of Vacaville, Pete Paulson of Woodland, Richie Hoover of Rancho Cordova and Silverman.
Prior to this Wednesday’s Wild Winged Sprint Car event, race fans are invited to Placerville Speedway Pizza Night at Round Table Pizza on Missouri Flat Road in the Safeway shopping center. Bring your ticket stubs from the races at Placerville Speedway to get 15 percent off your regular order or free soda with the Tuesday night buffet. Sprint car drivers Brandon Angus, James Sweeney and Scott Russell will all be on had with their cars from 5 to 8 p.m. Further information can be found at www.placervillespeedway.com
