PLACERVILLE, CA (8-10-10) - After winning the Pro Stock track championship back in 2006, Folsom's Jon Tilford stepped away from fulltime racing to focus on raising his family. Two beautiful children and four years later, the veteran driver that comes from a family that is rich in the history of Placerville Speedway is returning to the driver's seat.

Tilford will return to the wheel this Saturday night behind the wheel of the #92 Pure Stock owned by his brother Tom, a 2006 and 2009 division champion at Placerville. Tilford's return to the track falls on an appropriate night at Placerville Speedway, Mountain Democrat Kids Night.

On this special night, kids that are 11 and under will be admitted to the speedway for free. Handy Racing Promotions, in cooperation with Pepsi Cola will offer free soda and popcorn to all the little ones and the Mountain Democrat will present a brand new BMX Bicycle to a lucky child in the evening's raffle that will follow the bicycle races at intermission. The kids bike races are a big event Saturday night and for Tilford, it's a night that brings back great memories of when he first competed at Placerville Speedway.

"Racing to the Tilford's has always been about family. My first ever win came at Placerville Speedway came more than 20 years ago," said 28-year-old Tilford. "It was on the front stretch of the track and it wasn't in a car. It was on my tricycle during kids night."

Although Tilford has made a handful of cameo appearances since he and his brother won duel titles back in 2006, Saturday night marks a very special return. The car he will be driving has won every event in which is has competed in this year. Tom Tilford took home the victory on the July Fourth event and Matt Tilford, the 2008 Rookie of the Year here, won the Mark Forni Classic.

"I will never forget that night as a kid, holding my prized bike trophy next to my uncle Donnie who won the feature event that night," added Tilford. "So there is no better night to return. I now have my own kids in the stands rooting me on as I did to my uncle some twenty years ago."

Saturday night many eyes will be on the popular #92 Pure Stock as the Tilford family tries to make a historical run at Placerville Speedway; three consecutive runs with three different siblings behind the wheel. As if that isn't enough pressure for Tilford, the competition that lies in the division is much more fierce than it was many years ago when he won the Pure Stock Rookie of the Year title before advancing to the Pro Stock division, now known as Limited Late Models.

Placerville's Chris Curtiss continues to lead the point standings. Michelle McClure of Grass Valley sits 26-points behind Curtiss. Both drivers have one feature event win to their name. Curtiss has an outstanding ten top five finishes while McClure has four top five finishes but has two more heat wins then Curtiss with three to her name. The battle for the championship title better the genders is beginning to heat up as the 2010 Red Hawk Casino Championship season winds down.

Eddie Gardner of Sacramento rounds out the top three in this exciting grassroots racing division. Gardner is 37-points out of the lead and sits just three points ahead of one time winner Dennis Armstrong of El Dorado. Rounding out the top five is opening night winner Danielle Clauson of Placerville.

In the Sprint Car division, former track champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn will look to maintain his point lead. Forsberg, a 2000 Placerville Speedway Champion, has captured one feature victory this year and sits with a 23-point advantage over Placerville's own Scott Russell who has a record of five top five finishes on the year. Mike Henry, the 2002 track champion here is third in the point standings, 38-points from the lead position. Shane Golobic of Fremont is fourth overall and is a one time winner on the year. Golobic is still in the hunt for the title, sitting 40-points behind the leader and narrowly holding off Mason Moore of Princeton who rounds out the top five.

In the Dirt Solutions Limited Late Models, 2008 champion Dan Brown Jr. of Grass Valley sits in the lead by a 25-point advantage. Brown is followed in the point standings by Jay Norton of Shingle Springs, the 2009 division Rookie of the Year. Matt Davis of Auburn is a three time winner in this exciting division and sits third in the point standings while Thomas Arbogast of Auburn is fourth over Jackson's Doug Grandboise.

In addition to being admitted for free to Placerville Speedway Saturday night, young race fans will also receive a free ticket to the 37th Annual Hangtown Destruction Derby that takes place on Sunday afternoon. The free ticket comes courtesy of the Placerville Police Officers Association as they team with Placerville Speedway and the Mountain Democrat to make a fun filled weekend for families at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

"This is a great weekend for families at Placerville, I hope I can keep the Tilford win streak going," added Tilford. "Hopefully we don't start the destruction derby Saturday night, I'd hate to be the only brother that wrecked all year."

Youngsters are encouraged to participate in the bicycle races at intermission on Saturday night. Races will be broken up into various age groups with the distance of the competition being adjusted accordingly. The top three finishers of each age group will be awarded trophies and everyone who competes is awarded participation ribbons. Helmets are required to participate in the bike races. Placerville Speedway will provide a secure parking area for the children's bicycles during the evening.

Saturday night the gates of Placerville Speedway will open at 5 p.m. with qualifying starting up at 6:30. Adult tickets will be $12, Juniors and Seniors will be $10 and those 11 and under will be FREE for the evening. Raffle tickets for the BMX Bicycle will be presented to every youngster coming in the front gate along with a coupon for free popcorn and soda and the complimentary ticket to the destruction derby that takes place at the speedway on Sunday afternoon. For additional information visit the track website at www.placervillespeedway.com.