PLACERVILLE, CA (9-18-12) - It's the final race of the season. It's a night that will pay tribute to the late Al Hinds, a founding father of Placerville Speedway that is in its 48th year of operation. The feature winner earns $3000 courtesy of a bonus from Thompson Auto Centers.

While those are great selling points, one of the biggest draws to Placerville Speedway this Saturday night will be the return of the phenomenon founded by race fans and loved by race fans; the third annual "Hug your Flagman Night" at Placerville Speedway.

Hug Your Flagman night began back in 2009 when a group of longtime race fans decided to hijack the public address system at Placerville Speedway and declare the final race of the year as "National Hug Your Flagman Night" to pass the time during a series of caution flags. What started as a simple friendly prank on Ed Entz, known as "Flagz" or the "Dancing Flagman" to his army of endearing race fans, resulted in a YouTube sensation that made the headlines of numerous racing columns across the country.

It it's first year, over 400 race fans lined up during the many caution periods to wrap their arms around Entz to show him how much they appreciate his true colors; those being green, red, yellow and white and of course…black. It was on that night that a bizarre night of caution plagued racing turned to a new level of fun at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

Last year, nearly 1000 race fans took a moment to hug Entz. This year the longtime flagman and his counter parts that will be endorsed by Coors Light are looking to bring those numbers up.

"This year we are looking to get Big Ed past the 1000 mark, " said Dave Angus, founder of Hug Your Flagman Night along with his counterpart Karl Schmudlach and their support unit consisting of local resident and Placerville Speedway's number one fan, John Berry Jr. "We will go for the new record this year and raise the bar on our special national holiday that is only celebrated in Placerville."

As he heads into his big night, Entz is up for the challenge at Placerville Speedway this Saturday. Not only for hug your flagman festivities but for the honor of flagging one of Placerville Speedway's most noteworthy races, the Tribute to Al Hinds.

"Im going to start excersing to be ready for all the hugs and wont let anyone down,"said Entz. "Placerville is all about the good times and home of the best fans out of any track I have worked. I've made a lot of friends with this job and I look forward to it."

Saturday's race should surely bring enough fans to break a new Hug You Flagman Night record as it is the Annual Tribute to Al Hinds event. Additionally, the event is the final race of 2012 Civil War Championship Series and California's most talented drivers in the sport are all expected.

The grandstands will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday night with qualifying starting at 6:30 p.m. For further information visit the track's official website at www.placervillespeedway.com. For a look back at a previous hug your flagman night check it our on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-30QKJ08RXU&feature=related.