Placerville, CA – April 23, 2019…The Placerville Speedway is set to finish off the month of April with the biggest showcase of the season at the track for the Ltd. Late Model, Pure Stock and IMCA Modified classes this Saturday with the running of the annual Donnie Tilford Tribute.
The event this Saturday honors the late Donnie Tilford, one the most beloved stock car drivers in the history of Placerville Speedway. During his final years Tilford mentored, sponsored and wrenched for various drivers well past his retirement from driving in 1991. A former Placerville Super Stock champion, Tilford succumbed to heart complications, and passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 58 on March 18, 2014.
“This weekend’s event will be a perfect way to honor one of Placerville Speedway’s greatest legends, Donnie Tilford,” said track promoter Scott Russell. “We look forward to finishing off the month of April on Saturday by showcasing our Ltd. Late Model and Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating Pure Stock divisions, along with IMCA Dirt Modifieds and Sport Mods for the only time this season. We hope everyone can make it out for what should be great night of racing.”
Tilford was known for his long-time residency in Folsom and for helping many other businesses transform from mere dirt into establishments in the area by means of his business, Tilford Excavating and Engineering that was based in the city. Racing his way to countless victories through the decades from tracks close to home like Placerville Speedway and as far away as Australia, Tilford put the City of Folsom on the auto racing map in his days behind the wheel.
Tilford's love was racing Stock Cars on the dirt. He began racing in 1971 at the age of 17 at Placerville Speedway and was a very successful driver winning numerous open shows, main events and championships. He continues to be the all-time leader in Pure Stock victories at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds quarter-mile, having claimed 71 checkered flags in the division.
Divisions that will compete at this year’s running of the Tilford Tribute on Saturday include the IMCA Dirt Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Ltd. Late Models and the Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating Pure Stocks. It marks the only Placerville Speedway appearance of the season for both the Dirt Modifieds and Sport Mods.
Some of the top talent in the Golden State is expected to be on hand for the IMCA Dirt Modified portion with names such as Bobby Hogge, Troy Foulger, Ryan McDaniel, Nick Decarlo, Kellen Chadwick, Duane Cleveland and many more. With drivers like that it is sure to be a can’t miss show on the tight confines of Placerville Speedway.
The IMCA Sport Mod main event last season turned out to be a thriller at the Donnie Tilford Tribute, which saw KC Keller pick up the win over Aaron Crowell and Brian Cooper. The Sport Mods always bring solid car counts throughout Northern California and the hope is to see a healthy one on Saturday night.
With the Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating Pure Stocks the question of the hour will be, can Nick Baldwin make it three-for-three on Saturday? The 2016 track champion has won the first two rounds and will be gunning for another at the Tilford.
Last week’s Ltd. Late Model opener was snagged by Ray Trimble, who just happens to be the defending champ of the Tilford Tribute. Trimble will be one of the drivers pulling double duty, competing in both a Ltd. Late Model and Dirt Modified. Ryan McDaniel and Bobby Hogge are the others expected to do the same.
Adult tickets this Saturday will cost $15, while seniors 62 plus, military and juniors 12-17 will be $13, children 6-11 are $6, kids five and under are free! Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking https://www.universe.com/events/2019-placerville-speedway-championship-pts-race-3-tilford-tribute-tickets-placerville-B1QYWR
The pit gate will open at 2pm, with the front grandstand gate opening at 3pm each night. A happy hour will be offered from 4pm-6pm in the grandstands featuring discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer stand. Drivers meeting will be held at 4:30pm, with cars on track for wheel packing at 5. Hot laps, qualifying and racing will follow. Live music will be performed in the grandstand midway by Kylie Segura.
The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California. Take Hwy US-50 to Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto http://www.placervillespeedway.com
The Placerville Speedway would like to thank all of its partners for their support this season including Red Hawk Casino, Hoosier Racing Tires, Coors Light, Thompson’s Family of Dealerships, Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating, Absolute Auto Glass, ADCO Driveline and Custom Exhaust, Bear Republic Brewing, Beef’N’Brew, Capital Ace Hardware, Carol Russell Bookkeeping Service, Davies Family Inn, Doug Veerkamp General Engineering Inc., High Sierra Industries, Les Schwab Tires, the Paint Spot, Shadow Ridge Ranch, The Critter Getter, Foothill Tree Service, Mountain Democrat, Union Bank, Windfall Media, Arnolds for Awards and Sierra Arbor Worx.
Join over 11,000 followers of Placerville Speedway on Facebook, where you can keep abreast of updates for the 2019 season. You can also find Placerville Speedway on Twitter by following us https://twitter.com/pvillespeedway - In addition, Placerville Speedway is also on Instagram. Please follow us @PvilleSpeedway.
The quarter-mile clay oval is operated by Russell Motorsports Incorporated, which can be reached at the track business office at 530-344-7592. Contact Kami Arnold or Scott Russell directly for 2019 sponsorship opportunities at the office.
Upcoming events at Placerville Speedway:
Saturday April 27: IMCA Dirt Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Ltd. Late Models and Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating Pure Stocks | Tilford Tribute
Saturday May 4: Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd Late Models, Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating Pure Stocks and BCRA Midget Lites | Big Trophy Night
Saturday May 11: Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Jay’s Mobile Welding & Fabricating Pure Stocks, Mini Trucks and Vintage Hard Tops | The Carnett Clash