PLACERVILLE, CA (8-12-09) - This Saturday night the 2009 Red Hawk Casino Championship point season resumes at the ASA Sanctioned Placerville Speedway with all three divisions returning to enter the first of three remaining point races in the season.

While the night will bring three of the closest battles in track history back to action, this night isn't all about horsepower and point standings. It's a night where families unite at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in grand fashion and get a break on admission. It's Kid's Night at Placerville Speedway this Saturday night and for those with youngsters it's an event you surely don't want to miss.

This Saturday night, all kids age 11 and under will be admitted to the speedway for free and receive complimentary popcorn and soda courtesy of Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated, the management group of Placerville Speedway. The Placerville Police Officers Association will also award all children of age a complimentary ticket to Sunday's big Hangtown Destruction Derby.

"It's a big night for the little people in our house," explained Bill Sullivan, of Handy Racing Promotions. "This event has been going on here since 1982 and we are continuing the annual tradition. It's a great night to check us out, bring the kids, bring the neighbors kids, they get in free."

In addition to the free admission, the special treatment doesn't stop there on Saturday for the youngsters. Following heat races, it is the children's chance to take to the track as the annual bicycle races will take place on the race track. All children 11 or younger are eligible to compete. All that is required is a bicycle and helmets are required.

The kid's bike races will be organized and presented by Placerville Speedway's staff along with various drivers who take part in the fanfare. Children will be separated into age groups and will race a variety of distances on the track. By the time the oldest group of young two wheeled masters take to the track they will travel the entire distance in competition. The top three finishers in each class receive trophies furnished by Arnolds for Awards and everyone who gives it a try is presented a ribbon for their efforts by the many drivers who help with the event.

At the conclusion of the bike races, a brand new BMX Bicycle will be raffled off courtesy of Strauss Foods Incorporated of Diamond Springs. Strauss Foods is El Dorado County's primary Wholesale Food and Restaurant supplier and has been a long time contributor to auto racing in El Dorado County.

"You can't lose by bringing the kids to the races this Saturday. They get in for free, they get free popcorn and soda and a free ticket to the destruction derby on Sunday," added Sullivan. 'Right there almost a $20 value. But most importantly, it's a night that big families can have a night out on a budget in these current economic times."

As the championship point racing season winds down, the battle for the track championship heats up in all three divisions Saturday night. In the winged sprint car division, defending track champion Colby Wiesz of Colfax leads the division by just 18 points. Behind Wiesz is title hungry local foursome of drivers including Scott Russell, C.J Humphreys and Jimmy Trulli of Placerville. Justin Johnson of Shingle Springs is fifth in the standings.

As the season wraps up, history could take place on the El Dorado County quarter mile if any of the four local competitors should pass Wiesz for the title. The last time a local resident won the winged sprint car championship at Placerville was back in 1995 when Ray Rust of Garden Valley claimed his final career championship.

In the Pure Stock division, look for Tom Tilford of Citrus Heights to continue his quest towards his second career championship. Tilford is now the winningest pure stock driver in Placerville's history with six career wins, surpassing former champion Marek Bernert who held the record previously.

Tilford enters the night with a 3-point lead over Chico's Heather Bartlett. All season long Tilford and Bartlett have either been tied or within single digits for the point lead. Bartlett has four victories to her name and matches Tilford with 11 top five finishes in the same number of starts.

While many eyes will be focused on the battle of 'Mr. T' and 'Pretty in Pink' Rick Grunert of Woodland will look to maintain his third place position over Sacramento's Eddie Gardner and Danielle Clauson of Placerville.

The always exciting and often controversial Limited Late Model Pro Stocks will return to Placerville Saturday night after several weeks off. In this division Mr. Controversy Jerry Bartlett of Yuba City will look to maintain his status as Placerville Speedway's new Sheriff. Bartlett will look to maintain his point lead over defending champion Dan Brown Jr. of Nevada City who trails the outspoken point leader by just 11 points. John Kreihbiel of Placerville is third in the ranks over Jay Norton of Shingle Springs and Forryst Carnett of Placerville.

The grandstands are set to open at 5 p.m. on Saturday with qualifying beginning at 6:30. A secure parking area will be established for the children's bicycles during the races. Adult admission is $12, juniors and seniors are $10, children 11 and under are free.

On Sunday the Placerville Police Officers Association present the 36th Annual Hangtown Destruction Derby. Smashing and crashing to victory will be the theme in this annual event that benefits multiple local charities. The gates will open at 1 p.m. for this event on Sunday with festivities beginning just before 3 p.m. For further information on all of these events visit www.placervillespeedway.com.