PLACERVILLE, CA (6-27-10) - It's the highest paying regular weekly event in the history of Placerville Speedway, the annual Mark Forni Classic on Saturday, July 17th. While this event is still weeks away, it's on the minds of many drivers and fans as the roster has begun to form for this prestigious race that honors the late friend of racing with a $5000 bounty.

After numerous requests by race teams over the last two years, a new twist to the Forni Classic was added in 2010. In order to be eligible to compete in this grand event a driver must have entered a minimum of six Placerville Speedway point races or Placerville Speedway Civil War events prior to the July 17 event.

With just two point races remaining on the schedule before the Placerville Speedway's richest race, the competitive roster has begun to form. After Saturday's most recent point race, 23 drivers have met the requirements to take the green flag on July 17th by competing in six or more of the combined races. A total of three drivers are just one race away from eligibility. Three drivers have just one races to become eligible if they compete in the next two Placerville Speedway point races.

Topping the list of eligible drivers is two time Forni Classic winner Sean Becker of Antelope. In the past Becker and his Scott Miller team have made limited appearances at Placerville with the exception of Civil War events during the year. This season with the new eligibility requirement, Becker has raced in four Placerville Speedway Red Hawk Championship events and two Civil War events here to make the cut.

As of June 27, drivers that are currently qualified along with Becker include the following; Andy Forsberg; Mike Henry; Justin Johnson; Colby Wiesz; Mason Moore; Scott Russell; CJ Humphreys; Shane Golobic; Jimmy Trulli; Jeremy Phillips; Billy Strange Jr.; Nicole Miller; James Sweeney; Trevor Canales; Chad Compton; Charlie Cagle; Josh Bates; Craig Swim; Steven Tiner; Stephen Allard, Troy Machado and Cody Lamar

The following drivers are just one single event from qualifying for the July 17th Mark Forni Classic; David Silveria, Herman Klein and Jimmy Steward.

The following drivers are one races from qualification; Billy Butler, Jamie Phillips and Jamie Phillips. Scott Hall is two races from eligibility.

Drivers that still need to qualify for the Mark Forni Classic MUST compete in Placerville Speedway point races to do so. The upcoming Wild Winged Wednesday does not qualify for the Forni race as it is a non-point event that was added to the program. Recently Placerville Speedway did suffer a rain out once competition had began, for that event drivers in competition were awarded show points that counted towards the eligibility of the Mark Forni Classic.