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CHICO, CA (8-24-06) - The 53rd Gold Cup Race of Champions, to be
held September 6-9 at Silver Dollar Speedway, has already drawn a larger
early entry list than any race previous. 95 entries have already rolled in
for the prestigious World of Outlaw winged sprint car race that will be
held on the 1/4 mile clay oval at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. “It is partly due to the $50,000 we’re offering to win, but this race
is such a happening for four days that people from every corner of the
United States and Canada want to participate,” explained track promoter
John Padjen. “Guys like Stevie Smith from Pennsylvania, haven’t chased the
full Outlaw schedule, but he personally called and said he was committed
to this years Gold Cup,” he continued.
Smith who won the race in 1993, is also carrying a unique message with
his 800 horsepower sprint car. His TeamRAACE supports a foundation that is
publicly trying to raise awareness about child sexual abuse. Smith will
conduct awareness programs while in the Chico community as well as compete
for the race prize.
Other support events will include the annual Gold Cup Hall of Fame Golf
Classic to be held at Bidwell Park on Friday September 8. The event
benefits the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, and is locally
sponsored by Northgate Rock and Tom Rolfe Trucking. Detailed information
on the scramble style tournament may be obtained by calling 800-874-4488.
The traditional Chili Feed and the Miss Gold Cup Bikini Contest will
return after the races on Friday night. Added to the variety of events
will be a new driver autograph session held mid day on Saturday. Entrant
will assemble in the Fairgrounds main Pavilion from 11 AM until 2 PM. Many
of the teams will also have their personal souvenir items on sale at the
time.
World of Outlaws point leader and recent Knoxville National Champion
Donnie Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota will head the traveler’s list.
Schatz, the 2004 Gold Cup Champion, will be joined by two-time champ Jaq
Haudenschild of Wooster, Ohio. Haudenschild won back to back Gold Cup
titles in 1998 and 1999. He is also a former Mini Gold Cup Champion.
Minnesota’s Craig Dollansky, who finished third last year after setting a
new World of Outlaws on lap track record and winning the preliminary night
feature, will be on hand along with Indiana’s Joey Saldana.
Newly crowned Golden State Champion, Jonathan Allard of Chico, will
lead local entries.
Information is available at www.johnpadjemotorsports.com or at
916-969-7484.
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