PLACERVILLE, CA (8-13-11) - The domination of Auburn's Andy Forsberg continued at Placerville Speedway Saturday during the 8th Red Hawk Casino-Hoosier Racing Tires Championship season. Before a packed audience for Mountain Democrat Kid's Night, Forsberg drove his way to his third season victory in the 25-lap Sprint Car feature event to increase his point lead enroute to his potential third driving title here.

For Forsberg Saturday's win came in the form of a near clean sweep. The driver known as Mr. Excitement posted the fastest lap in qualifying to open the evening; he then claimed victory in an impromptu "foot race" against fellow drivers that track promoter Alan Handy threw together as part of the Kids Night festivities.

"I just came here tonight and wanted to win it all," said Forsberg. "In this car it's not near as hard as it is on foot. I can't say enough about this team this year. Steve Tuccelli and Alan Bradway give me such a competitive car it makes my job easy."

Forsberg started fourth in Saturday's race and at the waving of the green flag he moved into the top three. With eight laps into the race he moved into second place and set his sights on early leader Jimmy Trulli of Placerville. As Forsberg closed in on Trulli one of the most intense dog fights for the lead of the year broke out as the two fan favorites dueled for position to the point fans were on their feet each time the leaders powered their way out of the fourth turn side by side.

Trulli, still running his ASCS ranked motor from the recent Bullring Nationals, maintained the lower line on the track while Forsberg continually worked the high side in an effort to hustle his #X1 F&F Racing Sprint Car around the leader. While the two front runners put the fans in a frenzy lap after lap, Roseville's Sean Becker moved in on the action with the likes of Placerville's own Scott Russell and C.J. Humphreys.

With 17 laps down Forsberg gave it everything he had in classic win it or wear it style in the fourth turn. Throwing his car up against the cushion of the track into the third turn Forsberg never let off and rocketed past Trulli as the front stretch. Following the pass, Trulli never gave up, getting back beside Forsberg to challenge for redemption on several occasions.

At the finish line Forsberg picked up his third season victory over Trulli. Becker came in third over Humphreys who started fifth and battled Russell, who started 7th all the way to the finish line.

"I really had to give it everything I had to their up high, in fact I pushed it to the point I knew I was on the edge of slipping off," said Forsberg. "We had a good run earlier then that but the caution flags changed our storybook a little bit and I had to go to plan b as time was running out. Jimmy was really fast tonight, thos ASCS motors use to be a little underpowered but now they are getting to be just as fast as what we are use to running. This was a great for the fans and all the kids. I know everyone likes to boo me now for winning but as long as they have fun doing it that's what it's all about."

Forsberg was joined on Saturday in victory lane by Shingle Springs Limited Late model driver Jay Norton. Norton in the second generation in a family of local racing success as the nephew of former multi-time Placerville Speedway Super Stock Champion Dennis Ahart. On this night, it was Norton's moment in the spotlight while his mentoring Uncle stood on the sidelines as they celebrated the young driver's first career win.

"This is a really big night for us, we've been wanting to get this first win for three years now," said Norton. "We've gotten faster with each race and I'm still learning a lot from Dennis. I have to thank him and my whole family and all of my sponsors for their support to get here. Tonight we had a great field of cars but it doesn't matter if we have five or 20 in this class, everyone is fast every night and that's what I love about it."

Norton put himself in the right place at the right time Saturday night. Driving his way up from the fifth position, Norton closed in on the battle for the lead between early leader Matt Davis of Auburn and two time winner Les Friend of Galt. Friend, in a hard fought battle with Davis for the lead, slid sideways on lap 16 which allowed Norton to move in and set his sights on the leader. One lap later, Davis left the track surface with mechanical issues and Norton assumed the lead during the caution period.

With the final green flag, Norton was pressured by the liked of new point leader Thomas Arbogast as he tried every line possible to steal the lead. At the checkered flag it was Norton followed by Arobogast, Matt Micheli and Ken Micheli of Live Oak and Mike Meazell of Gilroy.

In the Pure Stock division, former track champion Jon Tilford returned to the driver's seat for the first time in 2011. Tilford is the 2006 Pro Stock Champion at Placerville Speedway. Over the past few years he has limited his racing to select events, spending much time with his new growing family. For the Tilfords, racing is all about just that, family. From the days of "Big Daddy Don" Tilford then Donnie Tilford and more now there is a new generation of this racing family continuing tradition with likes of Tom, Jon and Nathan Tilford being the newest clan behind the wheel.

Saturday night was a special night for Tilford and his family as it was "Kids Night" at Placerville Speedway. Tilford started the feature event in the sixth position and worked his way into third on the opening lap. After taking second on lap four he chased down early leader Clarence Holbrook III of Galt and tool the lead on lap 11. Once in front Tilford broke away from the field to pick up his second "Kids Night" win in two years. Rick Grunert of Woodland finished in second followed by Burney McClure of Nevada City, Scott Grunert of Woodland and Chris Van Roekel of Nevada City.

"This night is a special night for me, I remember racing my tricycle at this place when we would come here and watch my Uncle Donnie win here," said Tilford. "I won on this night back then and came back last year and did it and now tonight I was able to do it again so I guess this is a new tradition. It's really meaningful because for me racing is a huge part of my family. I know tonight my grandfather is watching down on us here at the place he loved and the place he has led all of us to do so well at. I really want to thank him for what he gave all of us in this family."

Next week racing returns to Placerville Speedway with the first of just three remaining point races of the year. The tree track regulars will be joined by the Nor Cal Dwarf cars on "Riebes Auto Parts Night" The grandstands will open at 5 p.m. with qualifying starting at 6:30. Watch www.placervillespeedway.com. for additional information on this event in the coming days.